Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999 - Portable Antiquities Scheme

late-Roman type characteristic of the later 4th
century AD. Dimensions: bezel, 17 x 14 mm, 4 mm
deep; width including surrounding flange 17 mm.
Width of hoop at back: 3 mm. Weight: 11.91g.
(2) The second ring is now very crushed and distorted.
It is of unusual construction, consisting of three
tapering gold tubes with openings for three
gemstones, now lost. The settings may originally
have been bedded in an adhesive material such as
sulphur. Though the ring cannot be closely
paralleled, the general style, including the presence
of three settings, is typical of late-Roman jewellery of
the later 4th century AD. The central tube and
setting is outlined with a long elliptical frame formed
of applied gold grains (not beaded wire). There is a
gap in the frame at each side of the central setting.
Dimensions: original width of bezel area about 11
mm. Width of hoop: 2 mm. Weight: 3.25g.
(fig. 26) Bowerchalke
Coins:
1 silver miliarensis:
Gratian (AD 367–383), 1
18 silver siliquae:
Constantius II (AD 337–361), 1
Valentinian I (AD 364–375), 2
Valens (AD 364–378), 6
Gratian (AD 367–383), 1
Treasure Annual Report 1998 - 1999 19
Roman Artefacts
Theodosius I (AD 378–395), 2
Magnus Maximus (AD 383–388), 2
Flavius Victor (AD 387–388), 2
Eugenius (AD 392–394), 2
Note: Ring 1, over 85 per cent for gold. Ring 2, over
85 per cent for gold. See Treasure Annual Report
1997–98, no. 22.
Disposition: Inquest awaited. (It has been postponed
pending possible further discoveries on the site.)
C M JOHNS AND J H C WILLIAMS
27 Ashwell (1), Hertfordshire: Roman silver finger
ring
Date: 4th century AD
Finder: Mr B Tattingham
Date of discovery: May 1998
Circumstances of discovery: While searching with a
metal-detector.
Description: Roman silver finger ring with keeled or
carinated hoop, split opposite the bezel for adjustment.
The bezel measures 13 x 11 mm with a roughened
surface where a gem or other setting was formerly
attached but is now missing. Otherwise the ring is
complete and in good condition. The shoulders above
the carination are triangular-shaped, measuring 11 x
13 mm at their widest, and having incised straight
lines as decoration. The maximum internal
measurements of the hoop are 21 x 16 mm. Beyond
the carination below the shoulders, the hoop narrows
from each side from a width of 5 mm tapering to 1
mm at the split. Weight: 7.40g.
Discussion: This type appeared in the 3rd century AD
and gradually became more elaborate. An almost exactly
similar ring came from the Roman temple at Lydney,
Gloucestershire in a late 4th-century context. Similar
rings have been found in other 4th-century contexts and
this example is likely to date to the 4th century AD.
Note: See Treasure Annual Report 1997–98, no. 18.
Disposition: Ashwell Village Museum
Valuation: £75
G R BURLEIGH