LINCH PIN

Iron Age (c. 400 BC to AD 100) vase-headed linch pin terminal: The cast copper alloy terminal is oval in section with a flattened disc, which on the outer face is decorated with high-relief motifs in the form of comma-leaves, a pellet, and duck-guilloche. The motifs together appear to form a duck-like figure. Beneath the disc the terminal is narrowed forming a shallow neck before the terminal then widens forming a convex profile. The lower face of the terminal has a square- section iron rod protruding slightly from the base. On opposite side faces of the terminal there is a deep conical shaped cell which may join forming a hole through the side.

The surface of the terminal has an incomplete well-developed mid green patina. It measures 26.4mm long, 29.56mm wide, 27.05mm thick and weighs 61.19g.

The linch pin terminal is a vase-headed type which dates to the late Iron Age period.

The Finds Liaison Officer in record IOW-D18A03 writes 'Linchpins were designed to hold a wheel on to a fixed axle. They have a long history in Iron Age Europe, but are a relatively late development in Britain. Common to late Iron Age metalwork in Britain, linchpins in this country develop their own distinctive decorative characteristics. The majority of linchpins comprise a copper alloy head and tip that are cast onto an iron bar, although a few 'all iron' examples are known.'

The Finds Liaison Officer in record NMGW-9B1B42 writes 'Vase-headed linch-pins have a comparatively long currency from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD and are understood to be a British innovation (Macdonald, 2000, p 48), with a largely Southern-British distribution. The triskele style of this example may be seen as somewhat devolved with its expanded arm terminals and suggest a date towards the end of the range. . In Wales a linch-pin of similar form but with an undecorated face was recorded from Llyn Cerrig Bach, Anglesey (Savory, 1976, fig. 13).'

Macdonald, P.; 2000, A Reassessment of the Copper Alloy Artefacts from the Llyn Cerrig Bach, Anglesey Assemblage; unpublished PhD thesis

Savory, H.; 1976; A Guide Collection of the Iron Age Collections; National Museum of Wales