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HARNESS FITTING
Unique ID: BERK-6F4004
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy harness fitting of Early Medieval Anglo-Scandinavian 11th century date. The fitting has a crescentic central plate with a large circular gap and would have originally had two arms extending from either side, terminating in loops. On the upper part of the central plate is a projecting animal head of a form which is commonly found on stirrup-strap mounts of Class B, with curved lines running down to the rounded terminals - this could be interpreted as the front view of a creature, seeing its head and front legs. The reverse is flat, plain and undecorated.
A similar harness link illustrated in Treasure Hunting magazine, January 1993, on page 32, shows each end of the crescent terminating it a trefoil; SUSS-533E27, however, shows rounded terminals. The terminals on BUC-E4C5F6 are angled, but may just be very worn. Another example is SUR-E53AC2.
The precise function of this link is difficult to interpret. The large hole is suggestive of its being a bridle cheek piece but these would normally have a single attachment loop.
Notes:
Bucks PAS Record Sheet No 79
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Class:
strap link
Sub class: double ended
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Scandinavian style
Date from: Circa AD 1000
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 31.47 mm
Width: 29.79 mm
Thickness: 2.73 mm
Weight: 10.1 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 8th April 2016
Rally details.
This object was found at Weekend Wanderers - Wicken,Northants
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Zoomorphic
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Northamptonshire (County)
District: South Northamptonshire (District)
Parish or ward: Wicken (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SP7538
Four figure Latitude: 52.03534293
Four figure longitude: -0.90807721
1:25K map: SP7538
1:10K map: SP73NE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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