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BROOCH
Unique ID: NLM-7A9397
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Copper alloy and iron brooch fragment. Proto-crossbow brooch, cf. Mackreth type proto CR 2.a. The head of the brooch is formed by a rectangular section bar with threwe loops behind it to retain an axis bar for a presumably iron spring evidenced by extensive rust. A vertical spike protruding from the middle of the bar may have retained a separate knop, as may the ends of the bar for the spring. Below the head, the curving upper part of the bow comprises four rectangular elements, again of rectangular section. These converge on a horizontal bar with a thickened rib on its lower side, both bar and rib being billeted. The lower bow comprised three similar struts to those above, though the greater part of it is lost. The pronounced curve of the bow may be exaggerated by compressive damage. Abraded. The crossbow brooch family is associated with the later Roman military. Suggested date: Late Roman, 175-250.
Length: 23.4mm, Width: 27.7mm. Thickness (crest of bow): 2.6mm, Weight: 6.82gms.
Class:
Proto-crossbow
Sub class: cf. Mackreth type proto CR 2.a
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: ROMAN
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 175
Date to: Circa AD 250
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 23.4 mm
Width: 27.7 mm
Thickness: 2.6 mm
Weight: 6.82 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 14th November 2016
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: NLM34813
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lincolnshire (County)
District: West Lindsey (District)
To be known as: near Gainsborough
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
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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