HARNESS FITTING

Cast copper alloy harness fitting / terret ring of later Iron Age - early Roman date 100 BC - 100 AD. The terret is sub oval (D shaped) in plan with an irregular sub-oval (D shaped) cross section. The attachment bar is rectangular in cross section and triangular in plan with the lower edge projecting below the bar. Flanking this are two circular mouldings. Each of these moulding has a two circumferential grooves separating the mouldings into three parts. A similar moulding is present at the apex of the ring and again is similarly decorated. The external edge of the ring is further decorated with opposing C shaped arcs which taper from each moulding creating two triangular shaped wedge like panels which conjoin at their apexes. There is no other decoration present. There are no wear marks on the internal edges of the ring or the strap bar. The terret is a mid green colour with an even, but slightly corroded patina which covers all surfaces. The corrosion and slight abrasion is most distinctive on the right hand side of the ring. This has distorted the ribs and flanking mouldings. A light green powdery corrosion product is present here. A direct parallel for the terret has not been found. A direct parallel for the terret has not been found. A number of these terrets have been recorded from late Iron Age and Roman contexts within the West Midlands and they are often found in association with other harness equipment or carts. The overall form of the terret is unusual and is likely to be a hybrid to Lewis' Triple lobed terret type' which is dated to the Iron Age / Roman transition and into the 2nd century AD

The terret ring measures 40.2mm length; 42.1mm high; the internal dimensions of the ring are 26.6mm length 18.3mm width, the terret ring is 12.3mm thick across the knops and the ring is 8.3 x 5.8mm; it weighs 32.55 grams.