Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

CATEGORY 11: FASTENINGS AND FITTINGS
This category includes many objects which cannot be
assigned with certainty to Category 4 (household
utensils and furniture), Category 9 (buildings and
services), or even, in the case of some copper-alloy
studs to Category 1 (personal ornament or dress), or
Category 13 (military equipment). Pieces which are
clearly fittings of some kind but which do not fall into
one of the groups dealt with in this category have
been catalogued under Category 18 (function or
identification unknown or uncertain).
NAILS AND STUDS
COPPER-ALLOY NAILS
The distinction between nails and studs is to a large
extent subjective. The dimension of the head has
been the factor in deciding to which group an object
belongs. Many nails have a head designed to project
above, and thereby decorate, the surface into which
they are fixed. This is a major characteristic of studs.
Some studs, on the other hand, have a flat head, a
characteristic often associated with nails.
Nails with a globular, bun-shaped or biconical
head, almost certainly from furniture upholstery
(Fig 116; 2982-3050)
2992 Fig 116 SF LWC 2858(C), J445. Occupation? Period 4.
Diameter of head 6.0mm. Polygonal section shaft. Length
24.5 mm.
2995 Fig 116 SF LWC 2821(C), J603. Make-up for second
Fig 116 Copper-alloy nails with a globular, bun-shaped or biconical
head (1:1)
115
gravelled yard surface. Period 4a. Diameter of head
10.0mm. Circular section shaft. Length 35.0mm.
3002 Fig 116 SF LWC 3132(C), K287. Surface trowelling, mainly
of Boudican deposits. Period 3. Diameter of head 8.0mm.
Polygonal section shaft. Length 37.0mm.
3021 Fig 116 SF BKC 3106(C), J39 L1. Site clearance. Diameter of
head 9.0 mm. Square section shaft, clenched. Length
27.0mm.
3029 Fig 116 SF BKC 3280(C), K308 L24. Dump. Periods4c/5/6.
Diameter of head 9.5 mm. Thick circular section shaft,
incomplete. Length 29.5 mm.
Nails with a flat head (Fig 117; 3051 -3080)
3057 Fig 117 SF LWC 3570(C), J1498. Period 2 street,
contaminated. Period 3. Diameter of head 6.5mm.
Polygonal section shaft. Length (bent) 24.0mm.
3059 Fig 117 SF LWC 3742, K446 F231. Robber trench. Period 3.
Diameter of head 5.0mm. Square section shaft. Length
(bent) 7.0mm.
3067 Fig 117 SF BKC 3479(C), J238 F13. Large pit. Period 5b.
Subrectangular head, 7.5 by 10.0 mm. Square section shaft,
incomplete. Length 65.0mm.
3070 Fig 117 SF BKC 5143(C), V152 L14. Oyster layer (dump).
.Period 5. Diameter of head 4.5 mm. Square section shaft,
incomplete. Length 18.5 mm.
3073 Fig 117 SF CPS 743(C), 724 L96. Make-up. Period 4.
Diameter of head 11.0mm. ?Polygonal section shaft,
incomplete. Length 30.0mm.
Fig 117 Copper-alloy nails with a flat head (1:1)
Nails with a convex head (Fig 118; 3081 -3091)
3081 Fig 118 SF LWC 3702(C), J1701. Dump or occupation.
Period 1. Diameter of head 5.0mm. Square section shaft,
bent. Length 27.0mm.
3082 Fig 118 SF LWC 3781(C), K453. Make-up. Period 3.
Diameter of head 5.5 mm. Polygonal section shaft,
incomplete. Length 14.5 mm. An upholstery nail.