Record ID: NARC-ACD9B9
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead Seal Matrix of Medieval date (AD 1200-1300). The object is composed of a flat circular disc with an incomplete suspension loop at the apex of the reverse. The front of the object is decorated with an incised motif composed of a central eight pointed linear star within an inner and outer circular boarder, between which is an inscription in retrograde, which reads: +S’RICARDI:PREST, or Seal of Richard Prest. The back of the object has a raised integral decorative motif flanking the raised line which could have projected to form an attachment loop, now missing…
Created on: Wednesday 20th March 2024
Last updated: Wednesday 27th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-ACC45E
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy ball of probable Post-Medieval date (AD 1550-1900). The object is composed of a sphere of copper-alloy, with dark green glossy patina and minor surface pitting.  The object’s function is unclear but could be a Gaming Piece or Ball Bearing. Diameter: 25.38mm, Weight: 69.5g The metal is dark green with a smooth patina. Due to the lack wear marks, it seems more likely that this might be a Post-Medieval gaming piece.  Compare: BH-DBB686, NLM-56E8F6, SUR-2CE255 and SWYOR-CF23D7.
Created on: Wednesday 20th March 2024
Last updated: Wednesday 27th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-AC9CB4
Object type: MANICURE SET
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy, zoomorphic Manicure set or Chatelaine of Roman date (AD 43-200). The object is composed of a Cockerel shaped body, with a hollow body, which is piriform in plan. The tail is missing, leaving only a short upward projecting spur, due to an old, abraded break. The neck is curved and expands to form the lozenge shaped head, with an upper projecting undulating comb, and flanked by downward projecting wattles, with left of which is missing due to an old, abraded break. The head tapers in to form a sharp beak. The body retains an incomplete upper loop, and one larg…
Created on: Wednesday 20th March 2024
Last updated: Wednesday 27th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-AC3CF9
Object type: COIN
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete silver denarius of Vespasian (AD 69 - 79) dating to AD 70 (Reece period 4). COS ITER FORT RED reverse type depicting Fortuna, draped, standing left, setting right hand on prow and holding cornucopiae in left hand. Mint of Rome. Diameter: 18.49mm, Weight: 2.8g The coin is missing a minor portion of its outer flan at 6’oclock. RIC II 2nd ed. pt. 1 (Vespasian) no. 19.
Created on: Wednesday 20th March 2024
Last updated: Wednesday 27th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BUC-F4C790
Object type: COIN
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A silver post medieval six pence of Elizabeth I (AD 1558- 1603) dating to the second coinage, AD 1566. Portcullis initial mark. Mint of London. North 1975, page 111, number 1997.
Created on: Friday 16th February 2024
Last updated: Friday 15th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BUC-F3F83D
Object type: COIN
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A silver medieval short cross penny, probably of John (AD 1199-1216) dating to 1194-1205. Probably class 4b. Minted in Carlisle by the Moneyer Alein. North 1980, page 178, number 968/2.
Created on: Friday 16th February 2024
Last updated: Friday 15th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-A3A8A0
Object type: STRAP END
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy strap end dating from the Early Medieval period, in the 9th century AD. Although in one piece, the strap end has two distinct parts: the strap attachment plate, and a long tapering shaft. The split-end strap attachment plate is trapezoidal in plan (being 15mm long and its width tapering from 10mm at the split end to 7mm where it joins to the shaft), and wedge-shaped in profile. Near its widest point are two rivet holes, with rivets still in place. There remains some organic material within the split, but it has mostly disintegrated, allowing the sh…
Created on: Monday 12th February 2024
Last updated: Thursday 15th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-39DC56
Object type: SHOT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy shot / ball of probable Post-Medieval or Early Modern date (AD 1600-1800), most likely a pistol bullet. The shot is spherical, and has a casting flash. There is a dimple in the surface which may represent the casting sprue, or firing damage. The surface is a blue-grey colour mottled with patches of paler yellow grey. It is 13.21mm in diameter and weighs 10.04 grams. Based on its size and weight, the ball is most likely from a pistol.  Musket balls are discussed in Courtney's "Small Arms Accessories of the Mid-Seventeenth Century" (…
Created on: Wednesday 7th February 2024
Last updated: Thursday 15th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-39A635
Object type: SHOT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead alloy shot / ball of probable Post-Medieval or Early Modern date (AD 1600-1800), most likely a pistol bullet. The shot is spherical, and has a casting flash and sprue. The surface is a blue-grey colour mottled with patches of paler grey. It is 11.77mm in diameter and weighs 7.22 grams. Based on its size and weight, the ball is most likely from a pistol.  Musket balls are discussed in Courtney's "Small Arms Accessories of the Mid-Seventeenth Century" (1988) and on page 202 of "Material Culture in London in an Age of Transition" …
Created on: Wednesday 7th February 2024
Last updated: Thursday 15th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-A6AB6D
Object type: COIN
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Medieval silver long cross penny of Edward I (AD 1272-1307) dating to AD 1305-1306. Class 10cf1. Bury St Edmunds Mint. North (1991: 32) no. 1040.
Created on: Wednesday 31st January 2024
Last updated: Wednesday 7th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-A5FC1A
Object type: COIN
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete Post-Medieval silver shilling of William III (AD 1694-1702), dated to AD 1696 on the coin. Reverse depicting Britannia seated left. Mint of Chester. Spink (2011: 364) no. 3499.
Created on: Wednesday 31st January 2024
Last updated: Friday 2nd February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-A5BEF2
Object type: COIN
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A worn Post-Medieval silver halfgroat of Elizabeth I (AD 1558-1603), dated to AD 1591-1594. Third coinage, tun initial mark. Mint of London. North (1991:137) no. 2016. The legends have been partially clipped.
Created on: Wednesday 31st January 2024
Last updated: Friday 2nd February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-A54095
Object type: BROOCH
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Published
An incomplete cast copper alloy Nauheim Derivative, La Tène III brooch of late Iron Age to Roman (c. AD 25-100) date. The brooch is cast as one piece. The spring is coiled with three (originally four) loops made of a copper alloy strip (2.5mm wide and 1mm thick). One of these coils is broken as it emerges from the reverse, and before it curves upwards and then back towards the reverse of the brooch, where it would have developed into the pin (which is therefore entirely missing). The opposite end of the coiled wire develops into the bow which first widens from 4.5…
Created on: Wednesday 31st January 2024
Last updated: Wednesday 7th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-918399
Object type: FURNITURE FITTING
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete cast copper-alloy 'chess piece' style furniture fitting or mount dating to the Roman period (c. AD 43-410). The object takes the form of a circular-sectioned chess pawn, with a circular knopped head, narrowed waist, expanded collar, angled sides and expanded base, with damaged edges and a flat face. Projecting from the centre of the base is a circular-sectioned shank with circumferential groove at the terminal and a circular recession on the terminal face The mount is worn across the surfaces and has a mid green patina. The object measures 32.8mm lon…
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-9156B9
Object type: SEAL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead seal of Post Medieval date dating c. AD 1500-1700. The seal is disc-shape with a short broken tab. The disc has a flat face with bevelled edges. The centre is slightly hollowed. The face has some moulded decoration but this is not discernable to due wear. The reverse is flat and undecorated. The patina is light grey. The seal measure 26mm long, 22.3mm wide, 2.2mm thick and weighs 6.96 grams.
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-9140EA
Object type: BUCKLE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete pin from a Medieval buckle. The pin is oval in cross-section with a cross moulding at the broken attachment end. The break is old and worn. The stem is slepped and tapers gradually to a worn point. The patina is light brown in colour. The pin measures 38.2mm long, 11.5mm wide at the cross mouldings, a maximum of 4.5mm wide at the stem, 4mm thick and weighs 4.52 grams.
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-90C396
Object type: WEIGHT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete Medieval to Post Medieval lead weight or spindle whorl dating c.AD 1200-1700. The object is circular and D-shape in cross-section, with a slightly rounded face and flat reverse, and rounded outer edges and a bevelled inside edge around the circular hole (15.6mm diameter) at the centre. The object is undecorated and has a mottled light grey and dark grey patina. The object measures 47.3mm long, 46.7mm wide, 7.7mm thickness and weighs 78.54 grams. Weights found outside of secure archaeological contexts such as these are difficult to date because their use and style…
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-906563
Object type: COIN WEIGHT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A late Medieval to Post Medieval cast copper-alloy flat hexagonal coin weight, known as a ‘hexagonal flans type’. The faces of the weight are worn and unclear. The sides are flat and plain. It is likely that this is Anglo-gallic or French, and dates from the 15th to 16th centuries. The weight is in a poor condition, with pitted, dark brownish-green surfaces. It measures 20.3mm diameter, 8.2mm thick and weighs 17.61 grams.
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-9037E4
Object type: JEWS HARP
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Post-Medieval cast copper-alloy Jews or jaws harp dating to the period c. AD 1500-1800. The harp consists of part of the rounded C-shaped bow with part of one surviving arm, which is lozenge-shape in cross-section. On one side of the bow the frame is indented where the tongue attached. This area is also damaged. The surviving arm tapers to a transvere break. The other break, on the bow, is more uneven. The harp has an uneven light brown and light green patina. The object measures 35.8mm in length, 26.5mm in diameter, 8.5mm in thickness and weigh…
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-9020B5
Object type: STEELYARD WEIGHT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast lead-alloy steelyard weight dating to the Roman period (AD 43-410). The weight is roughly bi-conical in form consisting of two equally sized upper and lower hemispheres with a rounded circumferential ridge between them. At the upper apex are the broken arms of an iron attachment loop. The surfaces of the weight are undecorated and heavily worn and abraded, with widespread pitting and gouging. The patination is light grey in colour with areas of light brown. The steelyard weight measures 50.2mm high and is 52.7mm diameter. It weighs 463.04 grams.
Created on: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.