Record ID: SF-5B41E7
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy Roman rotary key. The handle is a solid, elongated sub-triangular shape, expanding very slightly towards its outer end, with a circular hole through its outer tip creating a small bow. There is a slight indentation in the centre of each side, flanked on either side by pairs of raised transverse grooves. The stem is short and sub-rectangular in cross-section culminating in a simple bit featuring no clefts or ward-cuts, which projects at a right-angle to the plane of the handle (turned at 90˚ to the modern orientation). The surface of the metal is …
Created on: Thursday 30th September 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 16th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Bradfield St. Clare', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-4386EA
Object type: BUCKLE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy medieval buckle frame with integral plate. The frame itself is oval with a projecting lip in the centre of its outer edge. Projecting from the rear edge is a flattened circular section with two holes through it and then a long, narrow strip culminating in a second flattened, circular section with a single hole through it. The inner hole still holds an in situ copper-alloy pin.  See two examples from Meols with similar simple, integral plates (Griffiths et al. 2007, 103, pl.17, nos.768&770). The authors of this study suggest that buckles with shorter in…
Created on: Tuesday 5th July 2022
Last updated: Tuesday 16th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Worlington', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-6BF242
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy early medieval (Anglo-Saxon) finger ring or ear-ring. It is formed from a penannular piece of wire, rectangular in cross-section and tapering to a sharp point at either end. It is bent into a distorted u-shape with ends overlapping, but may have formed a circle originally with knotted terminals. The surface of the metal is corroded. A number of similar rings have been found during excavations, e.g. Elveden (West 1998, 26, no.24.7) and Thetford (Goodall in Rogerson and Dallas 1984, 69, fig.110, nos.17-20) and and recorded with the PAS in…
Created on: Wednesday 12th April 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 16th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Near Mendham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-62CC00
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Medieval cast copper alloy seal matrix of conical form. It has a faceted hexagonal shaft with a circular suspension loop. The design shows a bear walking right and the legend reads: " *TOVMBEBOSSE". Though the letters are quite clear, it is not easy to understand what this means. A similar seal matrix is NLM-359707 which has a mouse instead of a bear and again, has a legend which is not understood. Circular, non-personal seal matrices became common from 1300 onwards, with the legend and device often forming a witty partnership (Harvey and McGuiness). This example is probab…
Created on: Thursday 23rd February 2012
Last updated: Monday 15th April 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SF-B3F0EC
Object type: SLEEVE CLASP
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Early Medieval sleeve clasp dating to circa AD 450-570. It consists of a bar only, with a sub-rectangular lobe at either end. Situated in between is a slightly sunken area decorated with incised grooves. The edges are rounded and the reverse flat and undecorated. Although this was originally identified as an example of the rare B4 clasp, from the photo it appears that it is more likely to be of the common type B12. It has a stub of a second narrower grooved area, which would have ended in a third raised lobe. The central lobe also has a brok…
Created on: Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Last updated: Monday 15th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wenhaston', grid reference and parish protected.

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Record ID: SF-946572
Object type: JETTON
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy medieval French 'shield of France' jetton, dating to c.AD 1400-c.1500. Obverse: X AVE MARIA o GRACIA o -  'shield of France' with three fleurs de lis within the shield Reverse: Triple stranded straight corss fleuretty in 4-arched tressure; internal angls, 'v' - 'm' (x2); external angles, '. o . ' (x4)  c.f. Mitchiner 1988, 227, 683
Created on: Friday 12th April 2024
Last updated: Friday 12th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sibton', grid reference and parish protected.

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Record ID: SF-942E91
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy probable medieval swivelling strap fitting. The object consists of a circular cross-sectioned hoop with a oval section projecting from one side. There is a circular hole, c.7mm at its widest point, through the centre of the oval section. The circular hole is faceted on both faces, suggesting that a moveable component was attached here originally. The cross-section of the hoop would also be unusual for a finger ring, suggesting a more practical function. It appears to have decoration on both sides of the frame of the hoop, leading to the oval projection, pos…
Created on: Friday 12th April 2024
Last updated: Friday 12th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sibton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-9415B3
Object type: MOUNT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy 'Limoges style' cross mount, enameled and gilded figurine depicting a saint (possibly the Virgin Mary),  dating c. AD 1100 - 1300. It is broadly rectangular in plan with the head centred on a circular projection representing a halo or nimbus. The upper surface of the figurine is convex and the reverse is concave except the circular halo which is flat. The body of the figure has two circular rivet holes pierced through it; one on the chest and one centred adjacent to the lower edge. The bottom of the mount…
Created on: Friday 12th April 2024
Last updated: Friday 12th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sibton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-93B48C
Object type: BULLA
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete lead Papal bulla probably of Pope Nicholas III (1277-80). It has been folded and broken post-deposition, neither the reverse or obverse are entirely clear. The reverse depicts the face of Saint Paul, moulded in bas relief surrounded by a separate pellet border with a croziernd enclosed within a circumferencial border. Above the face is the inscription SPA, an abbreviation for St. Paul - the other half of the bulla would have featured St Peter. St. Paul is seen on the left looking right, with a long pointed beard, and St. Peter would be right …
Created on: Friday 12th April 2024
Last updated: Friday 12th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Peasenhall', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-92B857
Object type: COSMETIC PESTLE
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy Roman centre looped cosmetic pestle. It is formed from a long curved rod, circular in cross-section and becoming narrower towards each end, which terminates in a blunt point, one of which terminates in an old break.  Projecting from the centre of the upper edge is a flattened sub-circular loop, which is circular in cross-section. The surface of the metal has a shiny green-brown patina. Cosmetic pestles were used together with small matching mortars for grinding substances into power for cosmetic and medical application. According to Jackson (2010, …
Created on: Friday 12th April 2024
Last updated: Friday 12th April 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sibton', grid reference and parish protected.