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Description: | A copper alloy unidentified object of possible Roman date, AD 43 - 410. It is a substantial rod of square section which curves into a wide pointed hook at each end. Both ends curve the same way making it C shaped. The centre of the rod measures 6.6mm wide and 7.3mm thick, but the ends expand to 9mm wide and 10mm thick. On one side face of the object, there is a very slight recess along the centre 42mm of the bar. There is surprisingly little wear on the inside face of the hooks, but there are slight wear facets suggesting that the inner part of the curve interacted with another element, not the tip of the hooks. The object has a slight twist in the central part; this is probably post depositional damage. File marks are visible on the surfaces which have a well developed smooth green patina.The lack of decoration make this object difficult to date. A Roman date is suggested as there are Roman coins from the same field, but the object could also be later.The function of this object is also uncertain. It could just be a genaric hook. The wear suggests it was used with forces puttling along the length of the object and the lack of any evidence of attachment may mean that it was never part of a larger object. The position of the wear probably rules out use as a door or gate catch. Possibilities include a tenterhook, though the hooks might be expected to be sharper, or a hook for attaching items to scales or hoists. The hook could also have pulled two objects together sideways. The double hook is 96mm long, 30mm wide and 8.8mm thick. 66.09g.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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