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https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png UKDFD Recording Software https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/ Miscellaneous https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous.html Bead https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/bead-57758.html Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:52:59 GMT Miscellaneous Bead  
Description: An irregularly cast, plain copper-alloy annular bead. It is probably of late Iron Age or Roman date, but generic beads of similar form are known from the Bronze Age to the post-Roman period.

See also; UKDFD 23103, UKDFD 14939 & UKDFD 15559 as similar.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Nail or Stud https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/nail-or-stud-57728.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:19:04 GMT Miscellaneous Nail or Stud  
Description: A copper-alloy nail or stud with a large bun-shaped head and a tapered square-section shaft with pointed end.

Nina Crummy (see References below) notes that fasteners of this type with globular, bun-shaped or biconical heads are almost certainly from furniture upholstery. She also observes that the distinction between a nail and a stud is to a large extent subjective.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Awl https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/awl-57611.html Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:19:35 GMT Miscellaneous Awl  
Description: A cast copper-alloy object, probably an awl or other small tool, but whose exact use is uncertain. The object is cast in the form of a rod, approximately half of which is of sub-square cross-section and half of flat, sub-rectangular cross-section. The former half tapers uniformly to a sharp point and is probably the functional end of the object. The latter half tapers slightly in width to a chisel-shaped end and is probably a tang for insertion into a wooden handle.

Tools of generally similar type have been found in contexts from the Middle Bronze Age onwards, but the present one is of more regular geometric form than is typically the case with earlier examples. For this reason, and the recorder's note that several Roman coins had been found in the same field, a Roman date seems most likely. 

Cf. PAS: WILT-5553D1
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Glass Bead https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/glass-bead-57589.html Tue, 12 Sep 2023 08:59:03 GMT Miscellaneous Glass Bead  
Description: A complete glass bead likely dating to the early Roman period. The bead is of the 'melon' type of classification, with nine gadrooned longitudinal reeds projecting irregularly around the outside, overall giving the classification type its form. The central perforation is circular and smooth in appearance. The glass colour appears to have a pale blue tone.

This bead form is produced in glass, glazed earthenware and natural stone. Gadroons can be created by filing the outer surface, or more likely for glass types to be poured and solidified in a mould. Nina Crummy, (see below reference) suggests that these beads are most notable from the first half of the roman period, although some may be earlier. The recorder notes the bead was found in a Roman context.
 
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Glass Bead https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/glass-bead-57564.html Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:02:14 GMT Miscellaneous Glass Bead  
Description: A pale blue annular glass bead, probably of the Roman period. The bead is circular in plan with a central perforation and a sub-oval section. Dating glass beads without other contextual evidence can be very tricky. A Roman dating is most probable for finds of this nature, but a later dating is also possible since beads using a similar method of manufacture were produced for an extended period.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Dividers https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/dividers-57433.html Tue, 30 May 2023 20:05:48 GMT Miscellaneous Dividers  
Description: An incomplete pair of dividers dating to the Roman period. The surviving part of the dividers consists of the upper ends of both arms and the pivot mechanism by which means they are joined together. The lower, pointed ends of the arms are missing.

The surviving lengths of both arms have a wider upper section and a narrower lower section, the wider section being simply decorated above the junction. The decoration is apparently incised and consists of opposing double chevrons above and below a double transverse line.

The pivot mechanism consists of a dome-headed spindle, a matching domed sleeve and an iron wedge (now heavily corroded). The dome-headed spindle is fitted through drilled holes at the top of the arms, and the domed sleeve is fitted to the opposite end of the spindle. The iron wedge is fitted through a slot in the projecting end of the spindle such that it serves to retain the sleeve and apply pressure to tighten the arms together.

During the Roman period, dividers were used as measuring instruments by many tradesmen, including carpenters, smiths and masons.

See also PAS: DUR-83CC6C.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Bronze Vessel https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/bronze-vessel-56904.html Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:18:40 GMT Miscellaneous Bronze Vessel  
Description: A very small bronze vessel of the Roman period, possibly a cosmetic or spice container. The vessel consists of a recessed base and a pivoted rotating lid, the parts being moulded to form the shape of a bird when assembled. The base has a flat underside for stability when placed on a horizontal surface. The neck of the bird is very slender and the head is now missing. The pin on which the lid was pivoted has been lost and the two parts were found separately on two consecutive days. Green and blue deposits in the recess are probably corrosion products.

Identification is speculative, but it would seem that several similar objects have been recorded, albeit those traced (e.g. PAS: DENO-131DE6 and LEIC-806BEB) now lack the rotating lid. They do, however, retain a pin at the probable pivot location. 
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Glass Bead https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/glass-bead-56797.html Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:32:00 GMT Miscellaneous Glass Bead  
Description: A sub-spherical bright blue glass bead, possibly of the Roman period.
See also; UKLDFD 33785 as similar.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Oil Flask Suspension Swivel https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/oil-flask-suspension-swivel-56748.html Sat, 02 Apr 2022 15:03:22 GMT Miscellaneous Oil Flask Suspension Swivel  
Description: An incomplete copper alloy suspension swivel for an oil flask of the Roman period. In use the two opposing hooks held a pair of chains for the suspension of the oil flask and a lighter chain for the suspension of the flask lid.

An oil flask complete with chains and a closely similar swivel is illustrated by Joan Liversage in ’Britain in the Roman Empire’ 1968, 137, Fig. 50. The illustration is reproduced here as Image 5.

See also UKDFD 670UKDFD 680 and UKDFD 6853.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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Miniature Axe https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/v46/artefact/roman/miscellaneous/miniature-axe-56704.html Mon, 21 Mar 2022 20:03:40 GMT Miscellaneous Miniature Axe  
Description: A cast copper-alloy miniature axe of the Roman period. The axe has a  flat wedge-shaped head and a circular section handle with a knobbed terminal.

These miniature objects are usually described as 'votive' and may have had some ritual significance. They were possibly used as offerings to the gods, or may simply have been kept as talismans.
Category: Roman, Miscellaneous
Category: Miscellaneous
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