Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

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CATEGORY 5: OBJECTS USED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES COUNTERS FOR BOARD GAMES Counters were most commonly made of bone and broken pottery sherds, though stone, tile and glass counters are also known (MacGregor 1976, 3). Descriptions of the board games popular in the Roman period can be found in Bell 1960, 30-5, 84-7 and are mentioned briefly in MacGregor 1976, 3-4. The possible use of bone counters for a game similar to tiddlywinks is refuted by MacGregor. BONE COUNTERS Bone counters were almost invariably face-plate turned on a lathe and retain the indentation of the lathe centre on the obverse. Two main types are represented here, equivalent to Kenyon's Types A and B (1948, 266, fig 91), with some rather more individual pieces. There would appear to be no clear difference in date for the period of manufacture of the two types. 1 Both are represented in contexts ranging in date throughout most of the Roman period. Type 1 (Fig 94; 2226-2263). Plain counters (Kenyon's Type A). Many have a countersunk upper surface, and all but one (2227) have an indentation from a lathe centre. 2238 Fig 94 SF BKC 2961, J22 L1. Site clearance. The obverse is countersunk and the reverse flat except for a slight 'worn' area. This latter feature, which usually occurs in two opposed patches, has been demonstrated by MacGregor (1976, 4) to be an indication of the use of a long bone in the manufacture of the counter and of the difficulty thereby encountered in achieving a flat surface over the whole area of the disc. The reverse bears a lightly-incised numeral XLV (Hassall 1978, 478, no 39). Diameter 21.0mm, thickness 4.0mm. 2242-53 Fig 94 SF BKC 3524(C), J274. Pit complex, largely unexcavated. Periods 3-6. A set of twelve counters, nine blank, three inscribed. All have flat upper and lower surfaces and bevelled edges. They exhibit varying degrees of wear. The inscriptions have been identified by Mark Hassall (1978, 477-8, nos 34a,-c). 2242) Diameter 17.5 mm, thickness 3.0mm. The obverse has the inscription V with a superimposed I, and the reverse, very faint. El. 2243) Diameter 21.0mm, thickness 4.0mm. The obverse has an incised rough oval, with the letters EIR crossing the perimeter. The first letter resembles an H on its side. The reverse also has an incised oval, with a series of twelve dots marking the long axis. To the left of the line so formed is a letter 0, to the right a letter M. 2244) Diameter 18.0mm, thickness 4.0mm. On the obverse four strokes have been scratched radially from the centre mark to the edge. On the reverse is an inscribed X with an exaggerated serif on the top right-hand terminal. 2245) Diameter 21.0mm, thickness 6.0mm. 2246) Diameter 19.0mm, thickness 5.0mm. 2247) Diameter 18.0mm, thickness 4.0mm. 2248) Diameter 17.5mm, thickness 4.5mm. 2249) Diameter 17.5mm, thickness 3.5mm. 2250) Diameter 16.5mm, thickness 4.0mm. 2251) Diameter 16.5mm, thickness 3.0mm. 2252) Diameter 16.0mm, thickness 5.0mm. 2253) Diameter 16.0mm, thickness 4.0mm. 91 2256 Fig 94 SF BKC 4459(C), N544 F131. Pit. Period 5b1. The upper surface is countersunk. The reverse has two parallel 'worn' areas (see 2238). Diameter 22.0mm, thickness 4.5 mm. Type 2 (Fig 94; 2264-2279). Counters decorated on the obverse with concentric grooves, usually set obliquely into the surface (Kenyon's Type B). All have an indentation from a lathe centre. 2268 Fig 94 SF BKC 2728(C), H153. Unstratified. The obverse of this piece is decorated with five evenly-spaced grooves of similar depth set round the lathe centre indentation. Diameter 20.0mm, thickness 3.5 mm. There is a 'worn' patch on the reverse (see 2238). 2271 Fig 94 SF BKC 3315(C), J186 F13. Large pit. Period 5b. This well made counter has four fine concentric grooves on the upper surface. The edges are bevelled. Diameter 17.5mm, thickness 4.0mm. 2274 Fig 94 SF BKC 5710, V938 L11. Dump. Late Period 5. The upper face is decorated with four evenly-spaced concentric grooves. The reverse has a 'worn' area (see 2238). The edges are bevelled. Diameter 19.0mm, thickness 2.5mm. 2277 Fig 94 SF BUC 20, A24 F20. Pipe-trench. Modern. A large well made counter with three grooves of similar depth and a Very broad outer groove. The reverse has two 'worn' areas (see 2238). and has the lightly-scratched inscription VAL, (Hassall 1978, 477, no 33). Diameter 25.0mm, thickness 3.5 mm. Type 3 (Fig 94; 2280-2281). Convex counters. Only two counters of this type were recovered, each in a late Roman context. Both are lathe turned. A similar counter was found in a 4th-century context at York. The type can be seen as the forerunner of Anglo-Saxon plano-convex counters (MacGregor 1978, 33). 2281 Fig 94 SF BUC 1348, E668 L46. Destruction debris. Probably first half of the 5th century. There is a Iathe centre mark on the upper surface. The reverse is flat. Diameter 25.0 mm, thickness 5.5 mm. Type 4 (Fig 94; 2282). Counter with notched rim. This can be seen as a variant of Type 2. 2282 Fig 94 SF BKC 2395, G354 F11 ?Timber-lined drain. Period 5c. The upper edge is decorated with regular V-shaped notches. A shallow groove has been cut round the circumference of the edge, positioned immediately below the notches to give a waisted appearance to the section. There are traces of two very fine grooves on the upper face immediately inside the notched rim. The central area of the obverse is sunk around a flat-topped moulding cut by the lathe centre mark. The reverse bears faint casual scratchings and the letter M (Hassall 1978, 477, no 32). Diameter 21 5mm, thickness 3.0mm. Miscellaneous (Fig 94; 2283) 2283 Fig 94 SF LWC 3349, J1086. Make-up (redeposited from earlier levels?). Period 4. Fragment of a large lathe-turned ?counter. The upper surface is decorated around the edge with a hollow chamfer bordered by a single shallow groove. Inside the chamfer two pairs of concentric grooves define a low convex moulding set round the lathe centre indentation, which is set in a small slightly countersunk area. Diameter 34.0mm, thickness 5.5mm.
Fig 94 Bone counters (1:1) GLASS COUNTERS (Fig 95; 2284-2294) All the catalogued examples are simple more or less round, flat-bottomed, convex 'blobs' of glass. The best known set of glass counters is that found on a 4thcentury lead coffin at Lullingstone. The set consists of fifteen white and fifteen brown decorated counters (Liversidge 1973, 350). 2285 Fig 95 SF LWC 748, B323. Gravelled surface. Periods 3-5, probably 5. Opaque black glass. Maximum diameter 17.5mm, thickness 7.5 mm. The underside is quite rough. 2286 Fig 95 SF LWC 2588, J530. Occupation on floor. Period 4a and b. Opaque sligtly greenish-yellow white glass. The 92 slight tinge of colour is probably caused by surface corrosion of the glass. Maximum diameter 12.5 mm, thickness 6.0mm. 2287 Fig 95 SF LWC 3735, K443 F229. Pit. Period 2. Opaque ?black glass. Maximum diameter 13.5 mm, thickness 6.5mm. The underside is rough. 2291 Fig 95 SF BKC 3776, K578. Surface cleaning. Probably Periods 4-6. ?Opaque mid blue corroded glass with many air holes. Maximum diameter 15.5mm, thickness 7.0mm. 2292 Fig 95 SF BKC 4568, T178 F76. Slot. Period 3. Opaque black glass. Maximum diameter 19.5 mm, thickness 7.5 mm. The underside is rough. 2293 Fig 95 SF BKC 4653, T343. Unstratified. Corroding opaque ?black glass. Maximum diameter 15.0mm, thickness 7.0mm. The underside is rough.
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COLCHESTER ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT 2:
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© 1983 Colchester Archaeological T
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Colchester Archaeological Reports G
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Acknowledgements I am grateful to t
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109 Antler and bone cheekpieces fro
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For each site or area within a larg
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percentage into five groups: a) coi
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18 Objects the function or identifi
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ow has knurled marginal grooves and
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Britain by the army of conquest, wh
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again into side-wings. The external
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Fig 10 Bow brooches: Group 8 (1:1)
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Fig 14 Plate brooches (1:1) 16
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Unclassified (Fig 14; 88-92) 88 Fig
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worked bone and antler have been fo
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Fig 19 Bone hairpins: Type 3 (1:1)
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Fig 21 Bone hairpins: Type 5 (1:1)
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Fig 23 Bone hairpins: miscellaneous
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the size of the piece of jet used t
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Type 5. Pins with a groove or groov
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Fig 32 Gadrooned beads (1:1) 546 Fi
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usually of one division. It is impo
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ARMLETS Individual types are briefl
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Fig 39 Bone armlet (1:1) Fig 40 Ear
Page 49 and 50: Fig 42 Plain copper-alloy armlets (
Page 51 and 52: Fig 44 Copper-alloy armlets with tr
Page 53 and 54: applied horizontally. The S is made
Page 55 and 56: Fig 47 Copper-alloy armlets with mu
Page 57 and 58: Fig 50 Plain, coiled, cable-decorat
Page 59 and 60: IRON FINGER-RINGS With setting (Fig
Page 61 and 62: Fig 56 Hobnails plotted in situ in
Page 64 and 65: CATEGORY 2: TOILET, SURGICAL OR PHA
Page 66 and 67: the teeth. 1857 Fig 59 SF BUC 1529,
Page 68 and 69: Fig 63 Tweezers (1:1) this, one lon
Page 70 and 71: Fig 65 Spoon-probes (1:1) damaged.
Page 72 and 73: The nail-cleaner and the third piec
Page 74 and 75: CATEGORY 3: OBJECTS USED IN THE MAN
Page 76 and 77: Copper-alloy. Complete. Bent. Lengt
Page 78 and 79: CATEGORY 4: HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS AND
Page 80 and 81: semicircles of two concentric groov
Page 82 and 83: handle would pass through the hole.
Page 84 and 85: 2066 SF BKC 1940, El 181 (F158). Co
Page 86 and 87: Stone vessel? (Fig 79; 2079) 2086 F
Page 88 and 89: Fig 82 Factory and open lamps, and
Page 90 and 91: Fig 85 Drop- and ring-handles from
Page 92 and 93: Fig 87 Bone and antler inlay (1:1)
Page 94 and 95: have been broken, but used after th
Page 96 and 97: tapering from 23.0 to 15.0 mm wide,
Page 98: plate appears to have formed a prot
Page 103 and 104: of a roundel is largely dictated by
Page 105 and 106: Fig 100 Tile counters (1:2) Diamete
Page 108 and 109: CATEGORY 6: OBJECTS EMPLOYED IN WEI
Page 110 and 111: WEIGHTS (Fig 105; 2510-2515) 2510 F
Page 112 and 113: CATEGORY 7: OBJECTS USED FOR OR ASS
Page 114 and 115: CATEGORY8: OBJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH
Page 116 and 117: CATEGORY 9: BUILDINGS AND SERVICES
Page 118 and 119: attachment was probably not particu
Page 120 and 121: IRON KNIFE OR CLEAVER BLADES (Fig 1
Page 122 and 123: 2956 Fig 114 SF LWC 3452, J1232 F41
Page 124 and 125: CATEGORY 11: FASTENINGS AND FITTING
Page 126 and 127: Fig 120 Copper-alloy studs with a f
Page 128 and 129: laminated armour). There are copper
Page 130 and 131: arm (externally) 48.5 mm. 4080 Fig
Page 132 and 133: MISCELLANEOUS FITTINGS (Fig 134; 41
Page 134 and 135: Fig 137 Lock-pins (1:1) Fig 138 Lat
Page 136 and 137: CATEGORY 12: OBJECTS ASSOCIATED WIT
Page 138 and 139: CATEGORY 13: MILITARY EQUIPMENT The
Page 140 and 141: Fig 146 Shield binding (1:1) Fig 14
Page 142 and 143: slightly distorted belt-plate with
Page 144 and 145: Fig 154 Decorated front plate of an
Page 146 and 147: on late Roman military belts. The s
Page 148 and 149: LATE ROMAN BELT-FITTINGS, PROBABLY
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CATEGORY 14: OBJECTS ASSOCIATED WIT
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figures, such as the series of enam
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seems to have been a realistically
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Fig 180 Amulets (1:1) respectively.
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CATEGORY 15: OBJECTS AND WASTE MATE
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Fig 185 Worked bone from Balkerne L
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Fig 186 Worked bone from Balkerne L
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Fig 188 Lanceolate leaves without p
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Fig 190 Strip mounts from Butt Road
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Fig 192 Miscellaneous mounts from B
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CATEGORY 17: OBJECTS AND WASTE MATE
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Fig 199 Bone ?pegs (1:1) 4472 Fig 1
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Fig 202 Miscellaneous copper-alloy
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Fig 204 Miscellaneous copper-alloy
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Fig 206 Miscellaneous iron objects
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Fig 209 Miscellaneous bone objects
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Fig 211 Antler object (1:2) Fig 212
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Abbreviations BM Briti
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groups' in Britannia, 7, 192-209 Si
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OBJECT INDEX References are given t
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INDEX OF OBJECTS BY MATERIALS Amber
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Shale, see Jet Stones and minerals
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CONTENTS Category 1: personal ornam
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Type 60 The simplest and commonest
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Page 139 merge towards the foot. Th
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Group 7: T-shaped brooches (Fig 9;
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Type 266 Small wheel-shaped brooche
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HAIRPINS Bone pins Unless otherwise
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149 SF MID 558. A2010 L241. General
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186 SF BKC 4841(C), N310. Period 6?
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Page 201 Type 3 Pins with a more or
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Page 203 251 SF BKC 490(C). A9 L1.
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Page 205 287 SF BKC 2802(C), H298 (
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Head A, crude. Page 207 329 SF BKC
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Type 4 Pins with a faceted cuboid h
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Page 211 74.0 mm long. Three rings.
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Shaft fragments Page 213 454 SF LWC
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Page 215 72.0 mm. The shaft is very
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532 SF BKC 4516. Tl. Unstratified.
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561 SF LWC 2556. M121. Rampart la.
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diameter 6.0 mm. Translucent dark b
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diameter 5.5 mm. Translucent dark g
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diameter 4.0 mm. Translucent dark g
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1420 SF BUC 709. C1394 G406. Grave
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Plain (1511-1553) ARMLETS Shale and
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thickness 5.5 mm. height 90 mm. 153
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height 5.0 mm. 1552 SF BUC 1513. H2
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1572 SF CPS 336(C), 533 F116. Robbe
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Early (Fig 40; 1586-1587) Both in p
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1614 SF BUC 336(C), B700 G115. Prob
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53.0 mm. four circular-section stra
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joints fixed by a single copper-all
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1690 SF BUC 953. E149 L13. Destruct
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Bead-imitative (Fig 46; 1715-1723)
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Plain (Fig 49; 1739) In printed cat
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Notched. crenellated (Fig 50; 1764-
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(1807), a coin of Diadumenian (AD 2
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BUCKLES AND BELT-PLATES Unless othe
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1838 SF BUC 492. C456 G274. Grave d
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In printed catalogue (Fig 57; 1850)
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(Fig 60; 1861-1S64) STIRRING-RODS 1
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Type 3 Nail-cleaners with a virtual
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TOILET SPOONS All objects are of co
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1923 SF BKC 5347, N419 F117. Period
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TOILET SETS All the pieces are of c
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CATEGORY 3: TEXTILE MANUFACTURE AND
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1983 SF BKC 4532(C), T229 F159. Pit
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SPINDLEWHORLS All in microfiche cat
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CATEGORY 4: HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS AND
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2041 SF BKC 2162, G47 Fll. Timber-l
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LAMPS Picture lamps All are in prin
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2120 SF LWC 3527(C), J1424 F180? Ro
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(Fig 86; 2146-2149) Bone inlay All
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CATEGORY 5: RECREATION Page 287 COU
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natural bone surface, this shape co
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formed by two converging strokes jo
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Pottery counters Counters with a gr
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abraded, especially the outer one.
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2338 SF BKC 844, A184 L3. Topsoil a
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2354 SF BKC 2678. HI L2. Topsoil. P
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2374 SF BKC 5332. T283 L67. Cellar
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Counters with no abraded surface bu
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2415 SF BKC 767. A unstratified. Wa
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2440 SF LWC 4080. Hi79 F49. Pit. Po
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counter is a rough. the graffito is
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later. 2471 SF BKC 411. A92 (L12),
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(Fig 100; 2483-2495) Tile counters
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Page 315 CATEGORY 61 OBJECTS EMPLOY
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Page 317 CATEGORY 7! OBJECTS USED F
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STYLI All objects are copper-alloy
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Length 60.0 mm (distorted), 2541 SF
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edges. 2552 SF LWC 1061. A64. Topso
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2578 SF LWC 1335. E63. Topsoil over
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2604 SF LWC 2504. J367. Period 4b d
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2631-2 SF LWC 3108. K255 F126. Pit.
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2659 SF BKC 311. A72 F16. Town ditc
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edge. 2684 SF BKC 5047. G392. Backf
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and dark purple marble. Veneer. 11.
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fragment. 2737 SF BKC 6051. V809 F2
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2757 SFBUC 1395. A301 L1. Post-medi
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Purbeck marble. Veneer strip. 12.5
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Purbeck marble. Veneer. 44.5 mm thi
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2844 SF CPS 967. 821 Ft 18. Robber
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2882 SF BKC 1679(C), E601 F178 Pipe
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One-piece handles a) plain (Fig 110
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the remaining part. There are two r
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(Fig 114? 2952-2972) HONES 2952 SF
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(Fig 115;2973-2981) VARIOUS IRON TO
Page 366 and 367:
2993 SF LWC 2533. J476. Machine cle
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Polygonal section shaft. Length 22.
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With a flat head (Fig 117; 3051-308
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Diameter of head 4.0 mm. Square sec
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Probably originally flat. the centr
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The head is partly folded over. Dia
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Page 369 3172 SF BKC 3392» J200 F4
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3198 SF CPS 712(C), 734 L101. Make-
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Iron nails- and studs Page 373 Only
Page 384 and 385:
Page 375 3329 LWC B643 Period 1 Nai
Page 386 and 387:
Page 377 3397 LWC J508 F59 " Nail 1
Page 388 and 389:
Page 37? 3495 BKC A77 (L8) Anglo-Sa
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Page 381 3611 BKC Hill F33 " Hail 1
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Page 383 3687 BKC J43 L6 Probably P
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Page 385 3803 BKC K557 LI22 Period
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Page 387 3878 BKC N582 L96 Period 5
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Page 389 3994 CPS 576 F115 " Hail 1
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All are of copper alloy. BOSSES Con
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DOUBLE-SPIKED LOOPS Loops are coppe
Page 404 and 405:
In printed catalogue (Fig 128? 4075
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(Fig 131; 4085-4097) HINGE FITTINGS
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BINDING All the pieces are of coppe
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(Fig 136; 4130-4141) Lock-bolts 413
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Keys of uncertain type (4157-4158)
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Belt and apron fittings CATEGORY 13
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Copper-alloy strap-loops Cavalry ha
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Sword (Fig 153; 4227-4228) Arms 422
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Sword Arms Both in printed catalogu
Page 422 and 423:
Page 413 CATEGORY 14: OBJECTS ASSOC
Page 424 and 425:
IRON COFFIN-FITTINGS All in printed
Page 426 and 427:
Page 417 CATEGORY 16: ANTLER-, HORN
Page 428 and 429:
4319) The sawn off proximal end of
Page 430 and 431:
Page 421 CATEGORY 17: OBJECTS ASSOC
Page 432 and 433:
shaped section. Internal diameter 1
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copper-alloy wire double loop-in-lo
Page 436 and 437:
4458 SF BKC 4210. N143 F33. Pit. Pe
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(4473-4600) SHEET COPPER ALLOY 4473
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parallel edges. 19.5 by 10.5 mm. 45
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Dimensions straightened out. 35.5 b
Page 444 and 445:
4558 SF CPS 730. 773 L108. Make-up.
Page 446 and 447:
ight angles. 31.5 by 26.0 mm. 4591
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4646 SF BKC 5181. V287 L25. Dump. P
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4669 SF LWC 3515. J140S F459. Pit.
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(Figs 207 and 208? 4695-4743) MISCE
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61.5 mm. 4733 SF BKC 5257. V595 L72
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Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

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