STRAP FITTING

A complete copper-alloy strap fitting of late Iron Age to Roman date, c.50 BC - AD 200.

The fitting comprises two pointed ovate - or teardrop - elements, joined at the rounded ends. An integral sub-triangular moulding is present to one side of the join between the two ovate elements and is decorated with moulded grooves to denote its shape as well as a central groove. Both ovate elements have moulded decoration featuring a raised circular boss within a circumferential recess. An integral rectangular attachment loop is present to the reverse of the fitting, joining slightly off-centre of each boss towards the pointed ends. The loop has a D-shaped section.

The metal is brown in colour with extensive patches of green corrosion. The strap fitting is 39.6mm in length, 16.6mm in width, 18.3mm in thickness, and weighs 19.3g.

Similar strap fittings have been recorded on the database as KENT-6ECB7D, NMS-3798B4, and DUR-FFE560.

The PAS database record for YORYM-FDAB3C contains the following discussion of this type of strap fitting and its variants:

"Strap fittings dating to the late Iron Age to early Roman periods are becoming increasingly common finds. Those featuring double pointed ovate elements (such as KENT-6ECB7D, NMS-3798B4, CAM-17F455 and LVPL-8AC5D0) are now a well-known group of indigenous British fittings most often associated with distinctly 'British' sites in northern areas. A number having been reported to the PAS, see: KENT-D13638, NMS-3798B4, CAM-17F455, LVPL-8AC5D0 and LVPL-FC6ED5. Despite few securely dated examples a date of 1st and 2nd century is most commonly cited thanks to examples from Traprain Law (Scotland), South Shields and Piercbridge (both in County Durham).

Greater variation in style and decoration are however becoming apparent through recording with PAS. See: YORYM-4FB357, NMS-46A435, LVPL-9BDC3A and YORYM-9E312A."