STRAP END

Fragment of copper alloy strap end, probably of Thomas class B1.This fragment represents the split end and upper portion of the shaft. This object is very worn and corroded and has been treated since discovery. The object is now subtriangular in plan and subrectangular in section. Both of the sheets of the wedge shaped split end survive intact, as do the two rivet holes to both sheets. One set of rivet holes are clear, whilst the opposing pair are blocked with the remains of the copper alloy rivets. One rivet may survive complete between the two sheets, but the presence of post depositional organic material between the sheets makes it impossible to tell. The shank of the other rivet is entirely missing. The shaft extends for only 11.2mm, and is flattened to its reverse. It is just possible to see the remains of a transverse raised moulding at the top of the shaft, beneath where the strap end splits. Otherwise the shaft is too worn and corroded to see any other decoration. The shaft break is diagonal and very worn, suggesting damage occurred in antiquity. The object now has a post treatment patina of dark green and is encrusted in places with post depositional organic matter. The strap end has a surviving length of 24.3mm, is 13.24mm wide at the split end, 7.1mm wide across the shaft, 2mm thick at the shaft and weighs 3.64g.

Originally this strap end would have tapered to a stylised zoomorphic terminal. This type of strap end dates from the 8th or 9th centuries and was popular up to and throughout the 11th century. See the Finds Research group Datasheet 32, figure 2, number 13 for other examples.