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WEIGHT
Unique ID: LANCUM-67B98D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A lead alloy possible gaming piece probably dating from the Early Medieval period, about AD 700 - 1050. The object is a dome and the flat base has a deep cavity in the middle Objects like this are often described as gaming pieces but there are few excavated examples with which to compare them. They can also be interpreted as weights. The length is 18mm, the width is 12mm and the weight 14.58g..
Similar sized and shaped objects but made from chalk were recovered from Anglo-Scandinavian building contexts in York and have been identified as Hnefatafl pieces (Mainman and Rodgers, 2000). Hnefatafl was a game rather like chess. However, there are none made of lead. Possible gaming pieces that are made of lead are illustrated in 'Lead Weights' by Biggs and Withers (2000), but it is pointed out that similar objects have been found associated with Viking weights, especially examples with a square base and four peaks. The possibility that the object functioned as a weight cannot be ruled out.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 700
Date to: Circa AD 1050
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 18 mm
Width: 12 mm
Weight: 14.58 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 25th January 2017 - Wednesday 25th January 2017
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lancashire (County)
District: South Ribble (District)
Parish or ward: Samlesbury (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SD5930
Four figure Latitude: 53.76472557
Four figure longitude: -2.62344433
1:25K map: SD5930
1:10K map: SD53SE
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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