Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
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Unique ID: YORYM-A2AA3F
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy lock pin dating to the Roman period (AD 43 - AD 410).
The lock pin is circular in plan, flaring to the rim, with a concave upper surface and conical shaped central boss. The base has a wide, circular sectioned band with a small, rectangular sectioned shaft protuding from the centre.
The metal is uneven and light green in colour, with patches of brown on the upper surface. The lock pin is 21.9 mm in diameter, 14.8 mm long and weighs 9.3 g. The upper boss is 95.8 mm in diameter.
Similar examples can be seen in Crummy (1995, p.125, no. 4143) and on the PAS database such as YORYM-7BECA5 and SUR-AED102. These objects are thought to have been used for fastening lock plates to wooden chests and boxes.
Bell-shaped studs are a multi-purpose form of artefact, commonly found on sites dating to the Roman period. The key difference from other Roman studs, nails and fittings is the circular countersunk or convex face, which usually has at its centre a boss or cone.
While their exact purpose is not fully understood, they are believed to have been used, for example, on furniture, doors, and caskets, such as the bronze box-plate from Walheim Germany (Allason-Jones and McKay 1985, 30). It is noted that unless found in-situ, or as part of a set, it is rarely possible to attribute the stud to a specific purpose (Allason-Jones 2011, 8-9). Often found in association with northern frontier forts, the studs are known to be in use from the 1st to 4th centuries AD.
Refs:
Allason-Jones, L. (2011) Artefacts in Roman Britain: Their Purpose and Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Allason-Jones, L. and McKay, B. (1985) Coventina's Well: A Shrine on Hadrian’s Wall. Trustees of the Clayton Collection Chesters Museum, Hexham.
Crummy, N., 1983 Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds from excavations in Colchester, 1971-9 Colchester : Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd.
Class:
bell shaped
Sub class: Allason-Jones type 2
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 410
Quantity: 1
Length: 14.8 mm
Weight: 9.3 g
Diameter: 21.9 mm
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Other reference: YMT: E04702
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.