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Description: | An incomplete lead or lead alloy probable harness link/strap distributor of the Late Early Medieval Period, dating from AD 1000 - AD 1099.Around 30% of the object remains, the central boss and opposite terminal are missing, presumed lost in antiquity.The remaining arm has a sub triangular shaped terminal at one end with a central circular perforation. The terminal has three circular knops, one in the centre and one either side, these knops are rectangular in section, there is a groove below each of these knops. The arm is rectangular in plan and triangular in section and extends from the terminal, opposite the top central knop. The arm is undecorated. At the end of the arm there is a raised rectangular ridge where it would have connected to the boss (now missing). There is a small circular perforation or depression through the centre of the base of the arm. This may be where the boss section connected to the arm. The reverse is plain and undecorated.The artefact measures 35.9 mm in length and is 25.1 mm wide. The terminal central perforation has an internal diameter of 9.5 mm. It has a thickness of 7.6 mm and weighs 19.3 g.The artefact is a light grey to almost white in colour and has an even surface patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail.A probable parallel has been published in Williams (2007), pg 5. Fig 6 a) or b). Similar examples, albeit out of copper alloy as opposed to lead or lead alloy have been recorded on the PAS database, including: BERK-31EDC3, HESH-91A1D7 and KENT-605192. It is probable that this example could be a model for the manufacture of the copper alloy harness fittings, however this identification is not certain.Reference: Williams, D. (2007) 'Anglo-Scandanavian Horse Harness Fittings', Datasheet 39, Finds Research Group AD 700 - 1700.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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