SF-3BA219: Middle Iron Age to Roman copper-alloy terret ring

Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
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HARNESS FITTING

Unique ID: SF-3BA219

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Published

A complete cast copper-alloy terret ring dating from the Middle Iron Age to early Roman periods, c. 100 BC -100 AD. This example is of Lewis' 'simple' type, being circular in plan and section, demonstrating two projecting circular collars at its lower edge which enclose a constricted strap-bar. At one end of the latter is concreted ferrous product which likely represents part of the means by which the terret was originally attached. Preserved in good condition with an even green patina, it measures 38.08mm long, 42.17mm in diameter, 6.21mm thick at the midpoint of the strap-bar, 5.59mm thick at the midpoint of the frame, and weighs 29.38g.

As stated in PAS record YORYM-1B4B0C, terret rings were used as rein guides on chariots or carts during the Later Iron Age and Early Roman periods. They were set in a line along the yoke and usually five terrets were used per chariot. This suggested function is supported by evidence of wear or fractures on many examples. The Stanwick / Melsonby hoard included a complete set of such horse trappings.

Lewis (2015, p.87) discusses the longevity of simple terrets stating that the earliest examples come from the East Yorkshire chariot burials of the 3rd or 2nd century BC chariot burials in the East Riding though examples are known into the second half of the 1st century AD. They can be seen as the archetype from which many of the more complex terrets evolve.

Class: terret
Sub class: simple; Lewis 2015, p.87

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 100

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 38.08 mm
Width: 42.17 mm
Thickness: 6.21 mm
Weight: 29.38 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Monday 8th January 2018

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: Eastern (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Babergh (District)
To be known as: Lavenham

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: SF
Created: 6 years ago
Updated: 5 years ago

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