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Date: |
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Description: | Treasure case : 2006 T351
Please note that this find was recovered during archaeological excavation by the York Archaeological Trust. It will therefore be recorded within their archive. Reference: YORYM:2003.3203, Small Find 16, context 1112.
Found in a later-medieval grave during excavations of a medieval cemetery by York Archaeological Trust, however Dr. Martin Henig of Oxford University commented that the ring appeared to be late Roman, circa 4th century, and wondered whether it could have come from a rich, disturbed burial (personal communication with Nicola Rogers, Artefact Researcher YAT.)
Although no Roman inhumations were found during the excavation, the gold ring together with a jet bear and shale bangle also of 4th-century date indicate at least two wealthy Roman burials - one probably of a child ?? on the site. Some of the other Roman material found could also derive from disturbed burials.
The ring is in one piece, complete but bent and distorted. It consists of a polished orange oval opaque stone, thought to be carnelian (not analysed) with fine scratches all over and a diagonal crack across one end, set in a gold surround (made in two parts, a sheet backing and a cylindrical surround) the edge of the setting around the stone is irregular and in one area exposes the smooth polished edge of the stone. The metal is presumed to be gold or a gold alloy (no analysis has been done at this assessment stage); it is bright yellow metal, there are no visible corrosion products although some areas are darker in colour. The ring is constructed with 2 strands of wire on each side, soldered together, with granulated decoration. The wire varies in circumference and has scratches and tool marks on the surface, including some hammer marks, suggesting it is not drawn wire; traces of a possible spiral seam were noted and recorded in the lower wire. Three small gold spheres are attached on either side of the bezel, two strands of wire spiral inwards to form a heart shape, with 3 gold spheres between the points where the wires are soldered (note, one of the wires on side B is not attached). The 2 strands of wire extend from each side and form a butt join at the back, the join (gold solder?) is obscured on the outer face by 5 further decorative spheres. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Andrews-Wilson, Liz - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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