Record ID: BERK-00477B
Object type: SPUD
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
The remains of a small socketed iron tool, possibly a Roman spud. The tool has an unevenly worn crescentic blade which narrows in to the remains of a circular socket. It appears that the small section of the socket retained may be open, a trait often seen on iron objects and weapons of Iron age through to early-medieval date. This tool is similar to Roman 'spuds' - a tool used for cleaning other blades (like plough blades), or for barking (stripping bark which could be used in the tanning process) or even as a type of hoe. Manning (1985 plate 19) illustrates similar objects.
Created on: Wednesday 7th March 2018
Last updated: Thursday 19th November 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-FB08A2
Object type: SPUD
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete iron spud, a small part of one end of the curved cutting edge missing. There is a nail (shank missing) near the proximal end of the open socket. There is some similarity to a possibly 4th-century example from Coldham Common, Cambridgeshire (Manning 1985, 49, pl. 20 F17) and another from an early 14th- to mid or late 15th-century context at Rattray, Aberdeenshire (Goodall 1993, 175, fig. 32, no. 30), though that has a longer socket and slightly wider blade. In addition, the rear face of the present piece is quite level. Its best match is with a tool from Silchester, which, t…
Created on: Wednesday 23rd July 2014
Last updated: Tuesday 5th July 2016
Spatial data recorded.