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Description: | Near complete cast copper alloy unidentified object of possible Roman date (due to association with other finds of Roman date & similar patination). Although superficially like a nail in appearance the item apears too finely crafted to have served this purpose and other uses such as possible pin have been considered but no parallel found at this time.The item, which is cast in one piece, consists of an semi-circular head with an elongated tapered shaft projecting from below the straight-edge of the semi-circle. The shaft immediately below the head is lozenge-shaped in section swelling to become square in section approximately one quarter along the length of the whole shaft. The shaft then maintains the square section but tapers towards a point, the tip of which is now missing. The semi-circular head of the shaft has the appearance of originally having been a full circle, like the traditional head of a nail, which has then been folded upwards into two halves pressed back-to-back. There is a clear groove running around the perimeter of the head but it isn't wholly clear whether the head is a flat circle which has been folded in two or is merely moulded in a way, with the groove, which gives that appearance.A possible parallel for the folded head was suggested with Viking era nails recovered from excavations in York (see Ottaway, The Archaeology of York, the Small Finds 17/6, Anglo-Scandinavian Ironwork from Coppergate, page 608). It can be seen, however, that these nails are ferrous and much less finely crafted.
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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