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Description: | Cast copper-alloy sundial box lid. The box would have contained an equinoctial sundial and the lid is laid out as an early type of nocturnal. The object is circular, although the edge is now damaged, and there is a trapezoidal projection at the top. On the reverse of this projection are the remains of the hinge, comprising two cylindrical loops cast integrally with the lid. Directly opposite the trapezoidal projection there is a notch cut into the outer edge, perhaps to accommodate a clasp. There is a circular perforation at the centre (diameter of 2mm) with uneven raised edges on the upper surface. On the lower surface, the perforation has a concentric incised line around it (diameter 4.25mm). The upper surface has two close-set engraved concentric lines around the central perforation (6.6mm from the centre). From the outer concentric line, the surface is divided into twelve sections by incised radial lines which extend to the outer edge. There is a further concentric incised line and from this extends twelve lines at the centre of each section thereby dividing the initial sections in half. There is a further concentric line placed 1.9mm from the last and a final concentric line defining the outer edge of the decorative area of the lid and forming a concentric panel 2.45mm wide. This panel has short radial lines around the perimeter of the lid with a total of nine lines (including the longer central dividing line in each section). Each section has a faintly etched symbol in its trapezoidal panel closest to the centre. Smooth and even mid-green patina. Nocturnals were used as an instrument to tell the time at night with the help of the stars. One of the most important features of a nocturnal is the central hole. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Puls, Jodi - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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