|
Date: |
|
Description: | A wrought iron spearhead of unknown date - most probably Roman (50 -300 AD) but could date from the Roman - Medieval periods (50-1450) The spearhead is irregular in shape being encased within iron corrosion - it has broken into two parts and the metal in section is also laminating - making the piece very fragile. The spearhead is best described as having a slender profile with a slight leaf shaped blade. Due to corrosion it is not possible to say whether the spear has a discernible mid rib as the cross section is too heavily distorted. The blade has a broken and blunted point. The blade edges are mostly lost but it has its maximum width approximately 2/3 - ¾ along the length of the blade. The base of the blade thickens and expands into the socket which is conical in shape, the edges being slightly faceted (although again this may be due to corrosion / metal loss). The base of the socket is damaged and the sides have irregular cracking caused by the expansion of the metal. The socket is filled with a concreted soil, heavily impregnated with iron corrosion, the expansion of which has caused the cracking in the soil. There is no visible means of securing the spearhead of the haft of the spear, such as a peg hole. There is also no evidence of the socket being formed with a split (as is common in some types of spearhead. There is no evidence of decorative features or stamps on the metal. The spearhead is a mid brown colour with an uneven laminated surface which has revealed a purple brown coloured metal on the break. There is also evidence of active corrosion present in a light orange (rust) evident on exposed surfaces. The spearhead is actively corroding and the surface is very unstable. This has resulted in the loss of metal and in time the piece will probably disintegrate - it is suggested that the artefact is stored in a dry atmosphere, using silica gel to maintain the environmental conditions. The dating of iron spearheads is difficult due to their functional nature and continued use throughout later periods. The findspot, being found on unploughed pasture at depth below other 17th century finds suggests a medieval or earlier date. There have been other Roman finds recorded in the area and so such a date would not be unheard of. Similar spearheads can be seen in the British Museum Catalogue of Iron Tools, Fittings and Weapons. This example fits best with material dated to the mid 1st century and described as being of Group 1A, small-bladed spearheads with welded or slightly open sockets. A good parallel is V46 or V68.It measures 131.1mm length (although this is not total due to loss of the blade tip) 39.6mm width across blade, 20.2mm maximum diameter of socket, and is 10.8mm thick across blade. The spearhead weighs 121.96 grams
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
SPEAR
A wrought iron spearhead of…
-
SPEAR
Cast bronze (copper alloy) side…
-
SPEAR
Cast bronze side looped and…
-
SPEAR
A wrought iron spearhead of…
-
SPEAR
A near complete cast bronze…
-
SPEAR
Cast bronze (copper alloy) fragment…
-
Spear
Incomplete fragment of a cast…
-
SPEAR
Incomplete fragment of a cast…
-
SPEAR
Incomplete fragment of a cast…
-
SPEAR
Cast bronze (copper alloy) developed…
|