BROOCH

An incomplete Roman copper alloy Hod Hill brooch with side lugs dating to the period c. AD 43-70. The brooch is missing the pin, lower bow and the catchplate. It measures 31.87 mm in length, 16.16 mm in maximum width and weighs 4.40 grams.

The head measures 16.16 mm at its widest point, 5.63 mm in length and is 3.25 mm thick. Below the head there is a transverse ridge 2.92 mm in length The bow is rectangular in plan with two knops projecting from either side 4.05mm down the bow. Between the head and the knops are two horizontal ridges. The rest of bow is decorated with two verical ridges. The bow measures 19.73mm in width including the knops.

In "Late Iron Age and Roman Brooches", Worrell (1998, p9) notes that Hod Hill brooches are closely related to Aucissa brooches from which they probably developed. They occur widely on the continent, particularly in Gaul and the Rhineland (ibid.). The main centre of production was probably Gaul, but some were probably made in Britain (ibid.). They are often associated with military sites and probably introduced to Britain by the Roman army, although they are also found on non-military sites (ibid.). Hod Hill brooches are known from post-conquest depositions and the type is better known on the continent. Bayley & Butcher (2004, p.153) suggest Hod Hill brooches went out of use c.70 AD.