STRAP FITTING

A complete copper-alloy strap fitting of Roman date, c.50 BC - AD 200. The fitting comprises two pointed ovate - or teardrop - elements, joined at the rounded ends with the points facing away from one another. A central raised circular boss within a deep circumferential recess is present to the upper surface of each element and the pointed terminals have raised curved lenticular mouldings.

An integral rectangular attachment loop is present to the reverse of the fitting, joining at the centre of each boss. The loop has a D-shaped section.

The metal has a dark green patina and is worn. The strap fitting is 37mm long, 13mm wide, 4.3mm thick (16.6mm including loop) and weighs 10.9g.

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. 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.