SUSS-408245: Medieval to Post Medieval Animal Bell

Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
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BELL

Unique ID: SUSS-408245

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation Find 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 actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 36.93 mm
Weight: 31.15 g
Diameter: 29.23 mm

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 5th April 2016

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: South East (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: West Sussex (County)
District: Chichester (District)
To be known as: Near Chichester

Spatial coordinates


Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Discovery circumstances: date of discovery is date recorded
General landuse: Woodland

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: SUSS
Created: 8 years ago
Updated: 7 years ago

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