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AMPULLA
Unique ID: WILT-803719
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A Medieval to Post Medieval lead pilgrim's ampulla, probably dating to c. AD 1350-1530. The hollow flask-shaped ampulla is of Spencer's type 2, with a simple rounded bowl and flaring sub-rectangular neck; truncated by an old break which also runs down the reverse of the bowl. One attachment loop survvies. The obverse face is decorated with a flower of eight eliptical petals, these filled with hatched detail and with a sub-square boss at the centre; the reverse is unclear.
Dimensions: Length: 48.0mm; Width: 34.9mm; Thickness: 5.6mm; Weight: 33.21g.
Although in use from the late 12th century, the majority of the robust ampulla to survive in England are those of the later Medieval period, probably dating to c. AD 1350-1530 (Spencer 1990: 58). Ampulla were designed to contain a draught of relic water, to be taken as cures or worn by suspension through the loops as a talisman (Spencer 1998: 203), whilst Anderson (2010) has suggested that their distribution suggests diliberate deposition on agricultural land. The unclear reverse prevents attribution to a specific Anderson type.
Class: Spencer type 2; uncertain Anderson type.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1350
Date to: Circa AD 1530
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 48 mm
Width: 34.9 mm
Thickness: 5.6 mm
Weight: 33.21 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SSWM 4719
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: West Lavington (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU0052
Four figure Latitude: 51.26715426
Four figure longitude: -2.00138367
1:25K map: SU0052
1:10K map: SU05SW
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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