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SPATULA
Unique ID: ESS-AF909A
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A Roman copper alloy and iron spatula/eraser for a wax tablet, dating AD43-410. This is a Feugère type A5 spatula in the form of a bust of Minerva with an iron blade, which has broken away and is no longer present. Minerva wears a high crested helmet and traces of a cuirass are visible in the decoration of the chest, though the object is incredibly worn. No further detail on the body is visible. The object has broken just at the base of the copper alloy section, with some of the iron blade remaining in the socket. The metal is a mid-dark green colour.
Feugère notes that the dating for these objects is a work in progress, though it is clear that each type was not necessarily used at the same time (Feugère, 2004, 33). The symbol of Minerva, Goddess of wisdom, is appropriate for such objects and can thus associate them with writing tools rather than any other object type, such as a knife terminal. Feugere also notes that it is likely that a British workshop existed to cater to the demand in the province (ibid. 33), which may explain the slightly more stylised look for this example.
Dimensions: height: 53.82 mm; width: 20.61 mm; thickness: 15.32 mm; weight: 34.53g.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Potential for inclusion in Britannia
Class: Feugère type A5
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 410
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 53.82 mm
Width: 20.61 mm
Thickness: 15.32 mm
Weight: 34.53 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Essex (County)
District: Braintree (District)
Parish or ward: Rayne (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TL7323
Four figure Latitude: 51.87872852
Four figure longitude: 0.51193441
1:25K map: TL7323
1:10K map: TL72SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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