Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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Unique ID: LANCUM-5EEAB1
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An almost complete copper-alloy button and loop fastener dating from the Roman period, c. AD100-200. Probably Wild's type 5b. The fastener is composed of a triangular loop and a circular head, both of which are incomplete. The head is disc-shaped and has an additional moulding on top which may have, at one time, held enamel, but there is none left. All surfaces show heavy abrasion and the edges are very worn. Other than that, the object is in fair condition.
A circular sectioned shank extends straight down from the reverse of the boss, close to one edge, and splits into two arms to form a sub-triangular attachment loop which is broken and part of it is missing. The orientation of the shank results in the head and loop being on different plains.
J. P. Wild (1970; p.140) discusses enamelled button and loop fasteners, stating that the "type was probably a product of the northern school of enamellers of the second century A.D". If enamelled, the predominant red and yellow coloured enamels increased to include white, green and blue with a flower-petal design being favoured. Wild also explains that this type is commonly found in the forts of Hadrian's Wall, on the Antonine Wall and on the Upper German limes.
Class: Wild Type 5b
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 200
Quantity: 1
Length: 41 mm
Height: 15 mm
Width: 28 mm
Weight: 13.7 g
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 17th September 2016
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.