Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: YORYM-D677D0
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy developed crossbow brooch of Roman date, c.AD 320 - 400.
The brooch has tubular stepped crossbar wings which terminate at either end in collared bi-conical knops. An axis bar is fitted within the wings which have a central slot to the reverse allowing a pin to be looped around the bar. The pin remains and has a circular section, tapering to a worn point. A third collared bi-conical knop extends upwards from the centre of the head.
From the centre of the cross bar a sub-rectangular sectioned bow extends with a steep C-shaped curve before bending straight down forming a P-shaped profile.
The lower bow is in the form of an open sided tube though much of the left edge is lost to worn breaks. The tube acts as a catchplate for the pin.
The metal has a mid-green patina and is worn. The brooch is 72.2mm long, 45.9mm wide, 25.6mm thick and weighs 39.2g.
Bayley and Butcher (2004) illustrate a similar developed crossbow brooch with stepped crossbar wings (p.117, no.321). Bayley and Butcher discuss how the developed crossbow brooch always has knops on the end of the crossbar and the upper bow and are often 'onion' shaped. Sometimes the knops are separate pieces.
Class:
Crossbow
Sub class: Developed
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 320
Date to: Circa AD 400
Quantity: 1
Length: 72.2 mm
Width: 45.9 mm
Thickness: 25.6 mm
Weight: 39.2 g
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Other reference: YMT : E05707
4 Figure: TA0637
Four figure Latitude: 53.81848088
Four figure longitude: -0.3913649
1:25K map: TA0637
1:10K map: TA03NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.