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Date: |
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Description: | An incomplete cast lead alloy ampulla, dating to the Medieval period between AD 1175 - 1500 (length: 41.5mm; width: 28mm; thickness: 9mm; weight: 24.0g).The artefact is sub-rectangular in plan with a rounded base but is narrow in side-section. The artefact becomes narrow in plan at the neck and is unevenly broken immediately above, although the hollow cavity is still visible in the break. To one side of the neck (the other side is broken), there is a single, complete and separately attached lead alloy suspension loop ((length: 7mm; width: 3.5mm), where the ampulla would have originally been suspended from around the pilgrim's neck or belt. On one side of the ampulla, a probable jug, flask or container is depicted in the sunken centre of the artefact with a crescent-shaped incomplete circular ridge running around the bottom and sides of the container. Slanted irregular hatch marks appear around the outside edge of the artefact, but only appear in a crescent-shaped incomplete pattern, when they appear to stop immediately below the suspension loops.On the opposing side, there appears to be a 'W' or arrow feature, with short side arms (length: 14mm) with a long central arm which continues up to the break in the artefact (visible length: 23mm). Due to wear and breaks on the artefact, it is difficult to identify any other decoration on this side. There does not appear to be any hatch mark decoration on this side of the ampulla. The artefact is in a worn and slightly damaged condition with breaks at the mouth and neck of the artefact .In his publication 'Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue Part 2: Pilgrim Souvenirs & Secular Badges' (1990), B. Spencer (pages 57-8) describes ampullae as 'flask-shaped, but with a narrow, flattish section, they were designed to contain a dose of the thaumaturgic water that was dispensed to pilgrims at many shrines and holy wells.' He continues that they came 'into use in the last quarter of the twelfth century' and were 'almost the only kind of pilgrim souvenir to be had during the thirteen century'.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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