Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

Fig 109 Antler and bone cheekpieces from leather bits, copper-alloy terrets. harness mount,
and cart fitting (1:1)
Terrets (Fig 109; 2542-2543). A terret is a ring
mounted onto a harness-pad through which a
driving-rein (or reins) passes and is thereby more
easily controlled.
2542 Fig 109 SF BKC 2076(C), G19. Surface cleaning. Period 5c.
A well-preserved copper-alloy terret. There is a plain discmoulding
at each side of the broad convex attachment plate,
and three grooved astragaloid mouldings projecting from
the circular section ring. Maximum diameter 62.5mm.
2543 Fig 109 SF BKC 2772(C), H239 F68. Hearth over pit. Period
5c. A crudely made copper-alloy terret (Henderson 1949, pl
36, 124). The junction of the lower loop with the main ring
on the left hand side is particularly crude. Length 57.5 mm,
maximum width 40.0mm.
Harness mount (Fig 109; 2544)
2544 Fig 109 SF BUC 1704, H1004 L31. Period 1. A copper-alloy
harness mount (ibid, pi 36, 122) with two confronting
106
hearts, each with a high central boss. The design is
reminiscent of button-and-loop fasteners (Wild 1970b, fig 1,
Class 3).
CART FITTING (Fig 109; 2545)
2545 Fig 109 SF COC 203, 965 L282. Road metalling sealed by
topsoil. Period 4. Part of a copper-alloy cart fitting, found
crushed into a road surface. Originally the piece would have
had an eagle's head above the hexagonal socket, and the
projecting hook may have terminated in a swan's head. The
reins of a stationary vehicle would have been secured to
such a fitting (Webster 1958, 74). The distribution and date
of similar pieces suggests a military connection (ibid, 75,
where full references are given). However, a late 2nd- or
early 3rd-century example, possibly residual, was found at
Chichester, West Sussex (Down 1978, 47). The Colchester
example appears to be civilian and is not residual, being on
the street surface.