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COSMETIC MORTAR
Unique ID: YORYM-C05A08
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A late Iron Age to Roman copper alloy cosmetic mortar, dating to the period c. 100 BC - AD 200. The mortar is crescentic in form and U shaped in cross section. A circular cross sectioned loop extends from one trminal and curves around to join onto the base. Jackson (2010, p.87, no. 70) describes the loop of a similar example as 'a stylised aquatic bird's head, with everted dished bill'. The eye within the loop is oval. The concave groove is lenticular in plan, with one squared-off terminal, and shows possible signs of wear in the form of striations on the surface. It is undecorated and there is a green patina on the surface with areas of brown on the grooved area, particularly towards the squared end.
The mortar measures 61.95mm in length, 11.33mm in width, 8.22mm in thickness and weighs 20.49mm.
A similar example comprising a complete set of pestle and mortar was found in an Iron Age woman's grave (Jackson, p.75, no. 22), and there was an intensity of use of cosmetic mortars in the 1st to 2nd century AD (ibid. p.69). Therefore an Iron Age to Roman date is suggested for this object.
Jackson states that cosmetic sets are an entirely British phenomenon (p.67) and were often selected as grave goods and dedicated at temples (p.69). Similar examples can be found on p.75, no. 22; p.87, no.70; p.72, no. 10, and p.167, no. 391 (also from an Iron Age context).
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: IRON AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: IRON AGE
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa 100 BC
Date to: Circa AD 200
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 61.95 mm
Width: 11.33 mm
Thickness: 8.22 mm
Weight: 20.49 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 18th October 2016
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: YMT : E05210
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
County or Unitary authority: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Yapham (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE7950
Four figure Latitude: 53.94009431
Four figure longitude: -0.79802777
1:25K map: SE7950
1:10K map: SE75SE
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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