Record ID: BH-F8ACD4
Object type: INGOT
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast white metal coated iron ingot of uncertain function and date, possibly the Early Medieval to Medieval periods. The object is an obliquely truncated cylinder in plan and an obliquely truncated rectangle in cross-section.  The base of the ingot has rounded edges and is slightly concave.  The surfaces are light grey in colour, this being an applied white metal coating. In areas this has corroded there is iron corrosion product.   Dimensions (mm):  length 18.57, diameter 10.82. Weight: 9.19g
Created on: Friday 18th August 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 19th September 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-8EB8C3
Object type: KNIFE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron and bone handle from a knife or fork. The style of this piece suggests that it dates from around the 17th century. The handle is of equal width throughout and consists of a central iron tang with a bone plate on each side. The iron tang is as wide as the plates and terminates in a bulbous protrusion of iron corrosion, which may be an end-cap or a blade fitting. The bone plates have convex outer surfaces. Extending along the centre of each is a low, flat longitudinal ridge, bordered on each side by a groove, and filled with a pattern of cross-hatched incisions. The panels eit…
Created on: Thursday 10th September 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Biggleswade', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C19784
Object type: BUCKLE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron single-loop buckle. Evidence from London and elsewhere suggests that this form of buckle may be of late medieval date (G. Egan and F. Pritchard; 1991; pp. 103). Apart from the pin, the buckle is of one piece construction. The frame is D-shaped in plan and has narrow sides. The axis bar has flat faces and a central recess around which the tapering iron pin is wound. There is no plate, but instead, a framed rectangular void through which the leather belt would originally have been looped. The buckle measures 44.9mm long, 41mm wide and 8.9mm thick. The weight is 18.89g.
Created on: Tuesday 29th May 2007
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Woburn', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C65252
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A corroded iron key of probable post-medieval date. The dating of large door keys, such as this piece, is problematic since their form changed very little over a long period of time. Bailey illustrates several keys of similar form, in his book "Detector finds 5" (2002; pp. 51-52), which he suggests are of 15th to 16th century date. Whilst the evidence certainly seems to indicate that keys with internal projections in the bow are post-medieval in date, the discovery of a similar example found in an 18th century context in Southampton (C. Platt and R. Coleman-Smith; 1975; pp. 291, no. 2…
Created on: Thursday 17th May 2007
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Battlesden', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: ESS-DF9AE6
Object type: NAIL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete iron nail, probably a Roman hob nail. The head of the nail is conical and is 6.58mm high and 8.16mm in diameter. The shaft is circular in section and tapers only fractionally. The shaft is 12.22mm long, giving the object an over all length of 18.8mm. The nail weighs 1.36g. Hob nails were used in Roman military footwear, boots were made from three main pieces of leather, the upper the sole and the insole, all three layers were clenched together with hobnails, frequently arranged in patterns, some which were created to facilitate comfortable walking (Bishop and Coulston 1…
Created on: Tuesday 25th April 2006
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Flitwick', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-F8F962
Object type: BROOCH
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron annular brooch of 13th to 15th century AD date. The object is heavily corroded and consists of a plain circular ring measuring 40.2mm in diameter. The pin is wrapped around the frame, has flat surfaces and tapers to a point. The brooch measures 8.3mm thick and weighs 15.5g.
Created on: Wednesday 26th October 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Kensworth', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BUC-0451F4
Object type: ARROWHEAD
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
The tip of a compact, triangular, iron arrowhead with part of the tapering socket and central spine surviving. The barbs are 2.5mm wide at the break.
Created on: Friday 3rd June 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Eaton Bray', grid reference and parish protected.