Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
CC License:
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Unique ID: SUSS-408245
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy animal rumbler or 'crotal' bell dating to the Post-Medieval period, c. 1500-1700. The bell survives in very good condition, with its sub-rectangular integral suspension loop and internal iron pea present. From the suspension loop, a series of radiating lines decorate the top of the bell, while the bottom half underneath the latitudinal ridge which divides the object in two has been covered with a 'fishscale' pattern. From the top of the suspension loop to the base of the sound chamber the bell measures 36.93mm, the maximum central diameter of the object is 29.23mm, and it weighs 31.15 grammes. The bell is covered with an even green patina, and survives in good condition.
Notes:
Crotal bells were widely used for the purposes of keeping track of animal herds, and examples of this size seem to most frequently have been used on smaller domesticates such as sheep and goats.
Class: cast spherical
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Quantity: 1
Length: 36.93 mm
Weight: 31.15 g
Diameter: 29.23 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 5th April 2016
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.