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Romano/British Artefacts

In 55 B.C. the Roman general Julius Caesar conquered France (At the time the country was called Gaul, and the Romans called it Gallia). The Gauls fought hard against the Romans and had been helped by their friends in Britain. Caesar was upset by their assistance and decided to teach the Britons a lesson.

Julius Caesar made two attempts to invade Britain, first in 55 B.C. and then again in 54 B.C. Both times the British warriors and the rotten British weather made his army give up and return to Gallia.

Nearly a hundred years later in 43 A.D. the Emperor Claudius sent another army to invade Britain. This time the Romans were successful, Roman Britain had begun!

Romano British finds

Roman coins page click here

New Roman/British silver coin page click here

New seperate Roman gold page click here

New seperate Roman military artefact page click here

 

 

Possible Romano/British silver handle - reported as treasure to Colchester museum

11.84g, 33.36mm w x 41.46mm H x 7.24mm T

 

Stunningly beautiful - Romano/British bronze razor back pig/hog offering ? red enamelled eyes - 65.56mm L x 39.9mm H 148g

Late Roman early Saxon padlock

3 cut outs to rear

38mm L x 27.8mm H - 10.06g

 

 

Stunning find - Celtic dragon headed toggle clothing fastener - 42.55mm L x 36.99mm H 27.37g

 

Fantastic find 1stC BC Celtic bucket mount - The bird probably a raven would be one of a series used as decoration around the top of the bucket. The bucket was used in sacrifial or religious ceremonies

In Celtic mythology birds were represented as the messengers of the gods

 

34.02mm L, 5.28g

British Celtic 'Pierced Bulb' Toggle Fastener

Circa 1st century BC-1st century AD. A cast fitting in the form of a pierced bulb with medial indent extending to a thick, round-section discoid terminal. Such fittings were used as toggles to fasten garments, passing through a slit or loop. Reference: cf. looped variants in Murawski, P. Benet's Artefacts of England and the United Kingdom

 

 

Full size Roman stone phallic ornament, George III sixpence for size - 72.5 mm L x 30.71mm W
Romano/British bronze widget - not sure of use yet

Roman bracelet

Huge Roman bronze animal head mount - possible bucket or pot mount - looks like it is a bird with a hooked beak but it could also be an elephant

80.24g, 29.32mm L x 28.5mm dia

 

 

 

Roman 1st to 4thC lead dice(b)

1st to 4thC C Bronze Roman bird mount
Roman bucket loop
Roman lock pin 1st to 4thC.
Silver Ear wax scraper - donated to Colchester museum
Roman ear scraper 30mm long

2 - Roman ear scrapers
Roman 1st to 4thC dagger handle

Romano/British decorated tweezers 7.54g, 57.57mm L x 11.96mm w found by Nova Scotia Andy
Celtic brooch
Roman Apothecary weight
Roman lead 3oz weight, 49.12 mm with III mark ref N.Biggs

Celtic Woad cosmetic grinder - boat shaped with suspension loop 14.5g - 45.12mm L x 9.88mm T found by Mass Linda
Roman bronze lynch pin
Roman bronze pin head
Roman bronze closed loop buckle fragment

Just cleaned up an earlier ring find by Boston Bud

to reveal the initial 'Pvke' - possibly Roman from the area that produced the XIX legion ring
1st/2nd C Roman latch key
8 Scripila coin weight
Roman key fragment

Huge Roman bronze key 56.66mm L35.47 mm w 11.73mm t, 55.86g
Huge Roman bronze key 41.19g, 55.95mm L,
Roman bronze escution 24.8g, 56.63mm L x 26.25mm w (possibly Bronze Age)
Roman bronze lock pin fragment
Very early bronze bead

1stC Celtic bronze animal head mount
2nd C Roman bronze statue in uniform (possibly military) with toga over arm - some red enameling remaining 28.87g, 52.25mm H
Roman decorated stylus - loop missing 7.99g, 42.68mm L,8.05mm dia
Roman ear scoop
Roman bronze pin 65.15mm L
Roman ear scoop
Roman gilded fruit spoon - note the latch for hanging it on the side of the bowl
Roman clothing fastener ?

Ear scraper shape with bowl end - could be Roman but looks later possibly medieval 42.02mm L
1stC BC Celtic bronze wode grinder - suspension loop type worn around the neck 11.09g, 41.56mm L

Celtic looking lead medallion - horse has distinct Celtic syle legs with ball joints
Very early bronze Romano/British dagger quillion- one for the museum
Roman bronze closed loop buckle fragment
Possible Bronze age Terret ring

 
Bronze age casting plug 54.75g, 31.09L x 27.77mm Wx 22.00mm H

Fragment of a closed loop Roman dolphin buckle

18.42g, 45.34mm L x9.17mm Thickest , tapering to 5.79mm dia

Gold nugget probably Celtic Circa 1stC - reported as treasure to Colchester museum and will be tested by British museum 2.17g,6.73mm

Roman bronze decorated latch key with suspension hole 48.26mm L x 8.83mm x T x 12.45mm H, 17.62g
Roman bronze dagger quillion 28.79mm dia,5.12g
Possible Roman Twisted wire ring, copper alloy with traces of gilding remaining - one for the museum
36.44mm W

Huge bronze 1st to 4thC Roman key 48.36g, 54.94mm L x 34.45mm W x 10.33mm T

Romano/British mount
38.68g, 55.64mm L x 15.43mm W x33.39mm H
Celtic harness bridal cheek piece
Romano/British bronze dog mount - 2.87g, 22.91mm H x 11.48mm W

 

Very unusual Romano/British bronze key with rounded finial handle - one for the museum

10.56g, 31.30mm L x 12.00mm dia

Bronze piece decorated on all 4 sides - possible Roman writing stylus

It's a wrist Torc but what time period ?? 23.19g, 81.95mm W x 3.80mm dia

Initial feedback is it could be Roman - reported as treasure and will go for examination by the museum - returned as modern copy

Roman military suspension loop with 2 rivet fixing
Roman Military piece - Lugged baldric mount
   
   

1stC BC to 1stC AD Celtic bronze cosmetic wode grinder (used to make blue dye) - side suspension loop type (missing) 3.78g, 33.57mm L x 10.67mm w
Roman miiltary mount with red enamelling remaining single integral fixing
Roman miiltary mount with single integral fixing
Roman bronze helmet trim
Roman bronze helmet trim
Roman bronze dagger pomel
Roman bronze dagger guard or quillion 24.27g, 36.91mm L x 13.41mm W x 12.72 H

 

Previously thought to be 10thC Saxon with the classic circle decoration - currently with Colchester museum - ID'd as Roman period

Roman strap fitting (with ring-and-dot decoration)

4.73g, 26.71mm L x 12.57mm W

Roman - Cast copper alloy buckle tongue with half of it's loop broken. File marks are evident on the sides and underside. Three incised lines decorate a raised rectangle at the base of the loop - Ref Bishop 186
Small 1st to 4th C Roman bronze knife quillion - 14.35mm W 13.66mm H x 10.26mm T
3rd C Roman spear butt – Osterburken type Ref Coulston - Drawing Roman 3rdC spear butts
Roman 'heart' mount Ref Laycock
Roman Open looped dolphin buckle Ref Laycock
Roman prick spur fragment
Roman Baldric phalerae
Roman military Pelta mount
Roman bronze artefact 35.8g, 36.46mm W x 14.73mm H - votive offering pots
Roman bronze clevis pin ? 30.82mm L x 6.68mm dia 12.98g
Roman harness loop junction - 2 rivet fixing
Roman 'Delos' buckle frame
3rd C Roman 'Newstead' type lorica tie loop
Fragment of a Romano-British protected loop terret.22.99g, 38.53mm W x 34.56mm H x 15.78 mm T
Roman prick spur fragment
Fragment of a Romano-British protected loop terret.
Bronze age harness ring

 
Roman oval mount with suspension loop

1stC BC Celtic bronze wode grinder - suspension loop type worn around the neck

51.56mm L x 10.13mm W , 12.27g

Roman rolled lead curse ?

Roman bronze pot foot
Romano/British bronze bead
Roman bronze buckle tongue
2nd C Roman dolphin closed loop buckle fragment

Roman 1st/2ndC copper alloy votive offering 7.63g, 39.43mm H x 5.09mm T
Roman buckle tongue
Roman open looped buckle fragment
Interesting 2nd C Roman latch key set up
Small Roman bronze piece - almost like a fibular but not - needs more research
Roman bronze serpent headed dagger pommel 23.18mm L x 11.88mm T, 17.82g
Roman bronze knife pommel
Roman pin head
Roman prick spur fragment
Roman oval mount with suspension loop
2nd C Roman open looped buckle fragment
Romano/British bronze chisel ? 26.29mm L x26.58mm W X 13.03mm T
Roman lead sling shot 36.66mm L x 18.38mm dia, 62.16g
Roman military 'universal' decorative washers - used on helmets. Ref Appels & Laycock
Roman harness loop junction - 2 rivet fixing
Roman harness loop junction - 2 rivet fixing
Large egg shaped lead weight with iron hanger, possible Roman steel yard weight (r)
Roman steelyard weight
Roman 1st C Dolphin brooch - variant Hattatt
Roman pin head

 
Roman - Cast copper alloy buckle tongue . File marks are evident on the sides and underside. Three incised lines decorate a raised rectangle at the base of the loop - Ref Bishop 186

Roman knife quillion
Interesting Roman piece - like a sword quillion - needs more research

Roman military hinge plate fragment
Roman deleos buckle fragment
Roman mount
Roman bronze knife pommel
Roman military mount

 

 

Disc brooch found in the same area - Possibly Roman but could also be Saxon - one for the museum

23.05mm ,7.02g
 
Roman prick spur
Roman bronze cotter pin
Roman handle mount

 
1st C Roman dolphin headed knife handle with suspension loop

 
Roman bronze bead

 

 

 

 
Roman lead spindle whorl
Roman buckle tongue
Roman plate with 2 rivet fixings - possible strap end

Gilded Roman harness loop junction - 2 rivet fixing
Roman decorated amorphic strap end
Roman bronze knife pommel - some of the iron tang remains
 
 
Roman lead domed top spindle whorl
Roman harness ring
Roman open looped dolphin buckle fragment
Interesting Roman period decorated stirrup looking plate - traces of silver gilding remains- one for the museum

Very unusual style Romano/British loop terret 12.08g, 35.06mm L x 15.25mm W - One for the museum to look at further

 

'Protected loop terrets are usually considered to be Roman and dating to the late first and second centuries AD'

 
Roman bronze decorated Amphora strap end 44.38mm L x 23.89 W 17.23g

 
Roman harness loop
Roman military suspension loop with 2 rivet fixing
Superb find - 1st C Celtic wode grinder - 'bull head' type with broken suspension loop
Roman lead catapault shot
Roman strap end fragment
 
Roman bronze armour mount
  

Roman buckle fragment

 
Roman - Cast copper alloy buckle tongue . File marks are evident on the sides and underside. Three incised lines decorate a raised rectangle at the base of the loop - Ref Bishop 186
Roman bronze strap end - rivet fixings

Interesting Roman piece - socketed end to support a shaft - medical implement ? - one for the museum
Roman decorated dagger quillion fragment - petal design 38.34 mm dia
Roman weighing scale arm - dots indicate pound marks
Romano/British mount
Interesting Roman widget - no idea of it's use yet

 

 

Roman bronze key
Roman bronze artefact - Looks like this is the bow part of a fibular brooch but I think it is a small Roman votive offering pot leg - researching it more
Roman bronze knife pommel - some of the iron tang remains
Roman open looped dolphin buckle fragment
Roman riveted plate

Roman open looped buckle fragment
Roman pin head
Roman knife handle
Roman bronze open looped buckle
These are in the Roman ref book as military mounts- metal looks to good to be Roman
Romano/British cotter pin ?
Roman bronze handle mount - 2 rivet fixings
Roman finial

Possible Roman balance arm
Roman baldric mount
Roman bronze decorated weight
Roman mount
Good call by Mass Linda on a Roman tendril pendant she found last week in the Laycock book Fig A14.7
Roman animal bronze decorated strapend - 2 rivet fixing
Roman buckle fragment
Roman bronze bucket handle mount

 

 

 
Roman buckle tongue
1stC BC to 1stC AD Celtic Woad cosmetic grinder - boat shaped with broken suspension loop

 
Roman enameled harness pendant
Huge Roman key

 
Celtic cosmetic wode grinder
Roman buckle tongue
Roman mount
Roman hanging pendant

Roman decorated copper alloy pelta-shaped mount. It is semi-circular, with the upper surface having a incised decoration

Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN

Date from: AD 40
Date to: AD 400

2ndC Roman tweezers

1stC BC to 1stC AD Celtic cosmetic wode grinder

Huge chunk of ornate cast Roman bronze - possibly swivel harness stap fitting

Missing part of the Stunning 1stC BC to 1stC AD Iron Age Celtic enameled clothing fastener found last week
Huge Roman mount
Roman pin
Decorated Roman bronze finial
Roman mount
Roman baldric mount - yellow enamel and silver highlights remain
 2ndC Roman fibular brooch
Twisted silver wire ring - reported as potential treasure to museum
1000 BC to 400 AD Iron Age decorated bead
Roman animal headed mount - gilding remains
2ndC Fibular brooch Roman pendant with face decoration
Roman gilded mount
Roman hanging pendant - circule design

C 1stC AD Celtic drinking vessel spout - face decoration

34.94mm W x 20.63mm L - 27.20g

 

Roman handle mount

2ndC Roman fibular brooch with red enamelling and gold cross decoration remaining

Interesting early item like a protected loop terret - offset wear means it is some type of strap guide

 
Roman buckle - traces of gold decoration remain
Roman decorated dagger pommel
1stC AD Celtic clothing toggle fastener
1stC Celtic cosmetic wode grinder Roman bronze cotter pin

 
Roman bronze knife pommel Celtic wode grinder pestal
Roman bronze mount Roman bronze mount
1stC Celtic toggle fastener Roman buckle tongue

Roman knopped bronze pin

Roman helmet trim Roman pin head

Stunning Roman mount with face decoration
4th Roman buckle Roman bronze mount
Roman pendant hanger mount Roman mount

Roman Eagles head bronze votive offering/mount

 
1stC Celtic cosmetic wode grinder Very interesting Roman dagger pommel with circle decoration on handle - appears to be broken during battle
Roman enamelled chariot terret ring

This is enormous with gold, red enamelled

65mm high
Huge Roman bronze phallic pendant Roman ornate buckle
Large Roman bronze belt clasp

Roman animal headed bucket mount

1st to 3rd C Roman key ring
 
Roman bronze terret ring  

 
Roman - Cast copper alloy buckle tongue with half of it's loop broken. File marks are evident on the sides and underside. Three incised lines decorate a raised rectangle at the base of the loop - Ref Bishop 186

Roman strap fitting (with ring-and-dot decoration)

4.73g, 26.71mm L x 12.57mm W
  Roman military buckle with integral chape
Roman 'Delos' buckle frame 4thC Roman buckle - very unusual type with central iron mounting - seperate bar for attachment of belt 34.81mm L x 30.76mm
Roman deleos buckle fragment Roman plain loop buckle
Byzantine 4thC buckle Roman centurion mount

Roman bronze dagger pommel

First complete with intact suspension loop grinding tool we have found - We have found several of the base units

Two piece set made up from the grooved base and the small grinding tool

1stC BC to 1stC AD Celtic Woad cosmetic grinder - boat shaped

The grinder was used to pulverise vegetable material such as woad in the preparation of dyes.

These are also known as perfume or cosmetic grinders. During the Celtic period in Britain a biennial herb called Isatis Tinctoria; was cultivated for the blue dye that could be obtained from it when crushed. This plant is also known as woad. The dye would then be applied to the skin

 

Interesting Roman decorated bronze implement - serrated thumb grip like on Roman buckle tongues - needs research
Roman mount 2ndC Roman terret ring

1stC Celtic cosmetic woad grinder with suspension loop