Disc-On-Pin Buckles

Principal investigator: Tom Redmayne
Level: Personal research project

My research is into an increasingly recognised type of medieval buckle, previously considered to be a brooch. The disc-on-pin buckle type has a characteristic expanded, decorative pin and the initial aim has been to present a typology of these buckles based on their pins. Use of the PAS database in particular has helped to identify all known examples with over 100 recorded to date. Only one pin has been found during excavation. Other published examples are nearly all stray finds recovered through metal-detecting. Ongoing research considers their attachment and use, starting from the assumption that the wearers sought to show off the decorative nature of the pin. Practical experimentation using reproductions of original frames and pins is suggesting many new avenues of future research. Data from the PAS database is also pointing to associated dress accessories previously unrecognised as such. The initial typology is to be published as a Finds Research Group Datasheet in 2015. All future research will also be written up and published.

Audit data

• Created: 9 years ago
• Created by: Daniel Pett