UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT

A rim and body sherd from a copper alloy unidentified object, possibly a vessel, of probable Roman date. The two pieces were found on two occasions in close proximity, and appear to be part of the same object, although they do not fit together. The larger sherd measures 18.7mm high by 44.8mm wide, and weighs 18.4g. It is in the form of a stepped rim 7mm high by a maximum of 7mm wide, with a 5.2mm thick step down to a straight sided body, which has an inscribed circumferential groove 3mm below the rim/body junction. The body is 1.5mm thick. The outer edge of the rim is worn with irregular loss, although the other faces are in good condition, with a well-developed dark green patina over all, and the curvature of the rim fragment would indicate an internal diameter of around 50mm. The break across the bottom of the rim sherd is straight and may be following the line of a second circumferential groove.

The upper face of the rim has inscribed letters, the tops of which are truncated by wear at the circumference but spell ROMA with an unclear 5th letter. There are also scratched marks on the internal face of the larger fragment but these appear to be random.

The smaller body sherd measures 17.2mm high by 23.6mm wide and is 1.5mm thick and weighs 3.3g. It flares outward slightly at (what is probably) the lower edge, which may indicate the two pieces are part of the neck of a vessel, though I cannot find anything similar on the database.

Several other items of Roman date have been recovered from this location, including coins, slingshots, brooches and pottery.