Finds & Exhibitions news

Romano-British brooches used to fasten a tube dress in a number of ways
Finds

Sexing brooches

Since brooches in the ancient world were overwhelmingly functional their use is…

A pasta piece
Finds

Pasta Shapes

The vexed question whether the ancient Romans ate pasta is nowhere near…

Staffordshire Pan. Image copyright Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust, Carlisle
Exhibitions

Fibulae

28 January 2017 until 3 June 2018Rijksmuseum van Oudheden(National Museum of Antiquities)Rapenburg…

Comparanda Corner

Figurine of Cernunnos. Image copyright: J. Fairbairn, OA East
Figurine of Cernunnos. Image copyright: J. Fairbairn, OA East
Help needed

Figurine of Cernunnos

This object was found during the excavation of a late Iron Age to mid-Roman settlement at The National Trust property Wimpole Hall, Cambs in August 2018, in advance of a new car park. It is only one small find of a total of over 300 metal small finds dating to mostly the early 1st cent. However, Nina Crummy suggests that Cernunnos is probably closer to early 2nd century, and that it was possibly part of a spatula handle. Paddy Lambert notes that it is rare to find anything of this note in a rural sphere.
If you have any comparanda, do please get in touch with Paddy Lambert of Oxford Archaeology East.

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Roman stud
Roman stud
Help needed

Roman Stud

This is a small stud from the fill of a probable cess pit outside the amphitheatre at Chester, but associated with its use. There is a similar one from Strageath which suggests it is a form of Medusa’s head but I’m not sure about this one. Amongst the other finds from the pit there is polychrome mosaic glass, a first-century chalcedony intaglio (of a satyr), amber beads and a coin of Domitian, to name but a few. I would be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction or knows of any parallels.
Gillian Dunn, Senior Archaeologist (Roman finds)
Cheshire West and Chester Council

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Roman Bronze Horse Fragment
Roman Bronze Horse Fragment
Help needed

Bronze Horse Fragment

Roman Barbarian? Horse fragment from Bronze Vessel? The appended photograph shows a fragment, probably from a vessel, depicting a horse and ?barbarian rider in bronze. It is around 5cms in length and well abraded. Although I have consulted several colleagues no one has been able to provide any parallels or suggestions as to what this might be. The best ‘guess’ at the moment is that is from the ornate base or a component of a handle from a jug or similar vessel, but I have been unable to find any close parallels. It is a metal detector find from a particularly rich site in East Yorkshire. There are finds from throughout the Roman period (and beyond). Any help/advice welcome.

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Mystery Object
Mystery Object
Help needed

Mystery Object

Can you help? Mystery object fragment from Piddington Roman Villa, Northants.
Leaded bronze, with central groove, deep indentations at terminals, and flattened back. Perhaps part of a baluster? Answers to Roy Friendship-Taylor, please.

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Pewter Flagon
Mystery Object
Help needed

Pewter Flagon

Pewter flagon of probable fourth century date, from the bath house of Piddington Roman Villa, Northants.
If you have any comparanda, do please get in touch.

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