TREASURE ANNU AL REPORT 2005/6 - Portable Antiquities Scheme

218. spofforth, North yorkshire: Viking silver ring
(2006 T312)
Date: Possibly 10th–11th century
Discovery: Found by Mr S Simpson while metaldetecting
in March 2006.
Description: The ring has a hoop of stout wire and
a broader bezel decorated with plain and twisted
lengthwise pairs of wires, the ends of the hoop
overlapping beneath it. The shoulders are bound with
plain wires, which secure the ends of the wires of the
bezel. The latter appears to have been damaged in
antiquity. Diameter: 25.4mm; weight: 6.67g. Surface
analysis indicated a silver content of approximately 97%.
Discussion: The unusual form of the bezel makes it is
difficult to suggest an exact parallel for this ring. The
hoop with overlapping and tapered ends, however, is
typical of rings of the Viking period in gold, silver and
bronze dating mainly from the 11th to 12th centuries,
e.g. from Sweden and Denmark (Stenberger 1947, figs.
80–85; Lindahl 2003, p. 75, nos. 5–7). The alternating
twisted and plain wires of the bezel can also be
compared with silver disc brooches of the 10th century
from Denmark and Norway (Graham-Campbell 1980,
nos. 137–8). On this basis the ring from Spofforth can
be dated as above.
Disposition: Harrogate Museum hopes to acquire.
B AGER
219. Ivychurch, Kent: Anglo-saxon/Viking plain gold
hammered ring (2005 T318) pAs ID: KENT-565E76
Found by Mr M Allen while metal-detecting in August
2005; disclaimed, returned to finder.
B AGER
220. Ripon, North yorkshire: Viking silver ring
(2005 T385) pAs ID: pAs-AE4050
Found by Mr D Corbett while metal-detecting in
October 2005; disclaimed, returned to finder.
B AGER
(III) GRAVE AssEmbLAGEs
221. West Wight, Isle of Wight (addenda):
Early Anglo-saxon cemetery finds (2006 T62)
Date: Late 5th–6th century
Discovery: Found by Mr S Thompson while metaldetecting
in September and October 2005.
Description: These 14 finds derive from the same
ploughed-out Anglo-Saxon cemetery as the large group
reported previously (Treasure Annual Report 2004,
no. 88).
precious metal finds:
1. Silver miniature square-headed brooch with the end
of the foot missing. The head-plate has a rectangular
ridge around the central panel. The very short, low bow
has a median ridge extending onto the foot-plate and
appearing to join a transverse ridge forming a cross, but
the decoration is mostly obscured by sandy concretion.
Examples of this type are known from Chessell Down,
Isle of Wight, and eastern Kent, and can be dated to the
first half of the 6th century (Åberg 1926, figs. 131 and
135; Parfitt & Brugmann 1997, fig. 14a). Length: 33mm;
weight approx. 7g.
2. Silver fragment of the foot-plate of a miniature
square-headed brooch, with traces of gilding and
a tear-shaped garnet set in the left-hand lobe, the
opposite setting empty. A flat-topped cruciform ridge
joins the two settings and there are Style I animal
motifs in the corners. For the general type and dating,
see no. 1. Length: 27mm; weight 4.60g. Surface analysis
indicated a silver content of approximately 94% and
confirmed the presence of mercury gilding.
3. Silver fragment of the foot-plate and stub of the
bow of a miniature square-headed brooch, with
traces of gilding. The midrib on the end of the bow
forks into what originally would have been a raised,
lozenge-shaped frame on the foot-plate enclosing two
smaller lozenge-shaped ridges, but the lower half of
the foot is missing. There are Style I animal motifs on
the shoulders of the foot. The type is mainly Kentish
and dates from the first two thirds of the 6th century
(Åberg 1926, fig. 132; Parfitt & Brugmann 1997, fig.
14b). Length: 24mm; weight: 5.60g. Surface analysis
indicated a silver content of approximately 90% and
confirmed the presence of mercury gilding.
Copper-alloy finds:
4. D-shaped buckle loop with a club-shaped tongue
hooked onto the hinge-bar. The buckle belongs to
Marzinzik’s Anglo-Saxon type I.4 (Marzinzik 2003) and
dates from around the early to mid 6th century AD.
Length: 40mm.
5. Half of a prick-spur of flat, rectangular section with
one hooked end and an integral, cylindrical stub of
the prick surviving; possibly tinned on one surface.
Although hook-ended spurs occur in the later Roman
and Merovingian periods, none of them seems to have
the same flat form and it is, therefore, not possible
to date the find closer than to around the 3rd–6th
centuries (Shortt 1959, fig. 3, 6).
6. Fragment of very thin sheet metal, slightly thicker
along one edge, and so possibly from the rim of a
hanging bowl, perhaps part of the one found in grave
69, see Treasure Annual Report 2004, no. 88 (vii);
length: 53mm.
7. Fragment of a plain metal plate, roughly triangular
with the stub of a hook projecting from the base
The slightly curved surface and the hook suggest it
is probably a hanging bowl escutcheon (see no. 6
above and no. vii, Treasure Annual Report 2004, no.
88, although it does not match the other escutcheons
from the grave). Length: 36mm.
8. Fragment of the head-plate of a cruciform brooch
with section of the bow, length: 32mm surviving. Two
edges of a long rectangular central panel are visible
and a double lug a pin on the back. The original form
of the complete brooch is uncertain, but the fragment
may be compared with brooches of the late 5th and
6th centuries from Bifrons, Kent, and Little Wilbraham,
Cambridgeshire (Reichstein 1975, pls. 102, 1–2, and
115, 9 & 13).
9. Fragment of the head-plate of a cruciform brooch
with stub of bow and top knob surviving; of similar
type to no. 1 (see for dating), but has only a single lug
for the pin. Length: 28mm.
10. Fragment of brooch or mount, in the form of the
front end of a stag brooch, with part of the head with
bases of the antlers surviving. It is decorated with
punched dots and is of the same type as Treasure
Annual Report 2004, no. 88 (ix), suggesting they were
worn as a matching pair. The type is rarely found in
England, but 6th/7th-century examples are known
from Lombardic Italy (Werner 1950, pl. 51, F10–F17).
Length: 27mm.
11. Oval buckle loop; length: 32mm.
12. D-shaped buckle loop; length: 23mm.
Disposition: British Museum.
B AGER
222. Dartford, Kent: Three Anglo-saxon grave
assemblages (2006 T376a, b and c)
Date: Late 5th–6th century
Discovery: Found by Archaeological Solutions
(formerly Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust) during
developer-funded archaeological excavation ahead of
development in January 2004 (2006 T376a & b) and
March–April 2004 (2006 T376c).
Description: Three discrete groups of grave goods from
three separate burials forming part of an early Anglo-
Saxon inhumation cemetery consisting of 55 burials,
itself part of a multi-period site dating from the Iron
Age through to Medieval periods.
Grave 2008/2010 (2006 T376a):
Axis west-east. Probable adult female (based on
grave goods).
1. Gilded copper-alloy saucer brooch at right shoulder.
The main body of the brooch is formed from a cast
copper alloy disc with upturned rim and integral
catch-plate and perforated lug (the hinge-plate) on the
reverse. The front of the brooch is heavily gilded, the
gilding showing few signs of wear. There is an applied
central cylindrical copper alloy stud with silvered
disc-head projecting from the centre of the front of
the brooch. Around this stud is a zone of moulded
decoration comprising 7 concentric relief bands of
varying width. Most of these relief bands are plain,
but the third and sixth are narrow and beaded. Partial
remains of the corroded iron pin survive attached
to the hinge-plate on the reverse, along with traces
of preserved textile. Diameter: 34.33mm; thickness:
15.02mm; weight: 16.6g.
2. Gilded copper-alloy saucer brooch at left shoulder.
Similar form and decoration to SF5. There are partial
remains of the iron pin on the reverse, around which
are some organic remains, including textile but possibly
also preserved skin or leather. Diameter: 35.76mm;
thickness: 15.94mm; weight: 12.5g.
3. Crystal bead on upper chest. A large faceted rock
crystal bead. The bead is pentagonal, with a central
hole of 7.32mm diameter. All edges of the bead show
signs of damage, possibly from wear. Overall diameter:
31.77mm; thickness: 15.02mm; weight: 22.6g.
4. Silver finger-ring on finger of left hand. The ring
is formed from a thin band of silver wound in two
complete coils. Maximum external diameter is
20.77mm, internal diameter is 18.11mm. Maximum
thickness is 7.28mm, whilst the width of the band is
2.62mm. Weight: 2.1g.
5. Flint fragments and lumps. A group of burnt flint
fragments, total weight 66g.
Grave 2024/2025 (2006 T376b):
1. Gilded copper-alloy saucer brooch. Cast copperalloy
body with upturned rim and integral hinge and
catch-plates. The front of the brooch is heavily gilded,
with only minimal signs of wear to the gilding around
the top edge of the rim. The front has an integral
conical knob surrounded by a zone decorated with
moulded relief basketwork in eight segments. On the
reverse, the iron pin/spring is intact and still set into
the catch-plate. Around the spring and hinge-plate, a
mass of organic material, including textile and possibly
also skin and/or leather, is present. Diameter: 31.22mm;
thickness: 14.99mm; weight: 13.5g.
2. Gilded copper-alloy saucer brooch. Cast copperalloy
saucer brooch, very similar to SF16, except the
basketwork decoration is divided into only seven
segments. There is also slightly more wear to the
gilding on the front of the brooch. This brooch also
has preserved organic remains, including textile and
possibly skin and/or leather, on the reverse. Diameter:
31.38mm; thickness: 14.46mm; weight: 10.9g.
3. Complex of silver rings and beads found scattered
across the torso. A group comprising 10 silver slipknot
rings, some fragmentary, and some with amber or
glass beads attached. Associated with these, probably
as part of the same necklace, were 7 separate amber
beads and 3 separate glass beads; these were probably
originally each suspended on one of the now broken
silver slipknot rings.
4. Flint. Fragments of burnt flint, overall weight: 153g.
Grave 4082/4084 (2006 T376c):
Axis west-east. Probable adult female (based on
grave goods).
1. Iron knife. A corroded iron knife with traces of
preserved wood on the tang and an incomplete blade
that is missing its tip. Overall length: 96.45mm; tang:
54.29mm; blade (minimum): 41.86mm.
78 EARLY MEDIEVAL EARLY MEDIEVAL 79