Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

Period 1. A fragment of a copper-alloy mount from a sword
(gladius) scabbard (Webster 1958, fig 3, 7). The mount
would lie horizontally on the scabbard and be fixed by two
rivets, the holes for which can be seen at each end of the
central section of the mount. The moulded loops at each side
would carry a ring used to attach the sword to the shoulderbelt
or baldric (Robinson 1975, pl 1). The central part of the
mount is V-shaped in section. Length 71.5 mm, width
12.5 mm. The internal measurement of the central section is
50.0mm, close to the usual sword width of two inches
(Webster 1969a, 130).
Javelin (Fig 148; 4195-4196)
4196 Fig 148 SF BKC 3855(C), J310 F69. Oven. Period 2. Iron. The
head and a small part of the shaft of a javelin (pilum)
(Goodburn 1974, fig 41, 10). Length 129.5 mm.
TOOLS
Pickaxe (Fig 148; 4197-4198)
4198 Fig 148 SF BKC 4693(C), T419. Period 1 (or 2). One of a pair
(with 4197) of copper-alloy sheath fittings from a legionary
pickaxe (dolabrum) (Webster 1969a, fig 21). Length
44.5 mm.
CAVALRY HARNESS FITTINGS
Copper-alloy strap-loops (Fig 149; 4199-4202).
Strap-loops, or harness clips, provided a secure
4201 4202
Fig 149 Cavalry harness strap-loops (1:1)
4200
0 1cm
I I
132
method of joining divergent leather harness straps
(Lehner 1904, Taf 30, 9). Usually three straps were
involved (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 339), but a set of
four were found at Nijmegen (Noviomagus 1979, afb
9).
4199 Fig 149 SF LWC 3566(C), J1435 F495. Settlement into
Period 1 pit. A fragment of a strap-loop, similar to Hawkes
and Hull 1947, pl 103, 7. The junction of the loop and the flat
top plate is marked by transverse grooves and mouldings.
Surviving length 47.5 mm, maximum surviving width
16.5 mm.
4200 Fig 149 SF LWC 3560(C), J1490. Occupation. Period 1. A
strap-loop with concentric grooves decorating the two
circular elements of the top plate, and the junction of loop
and top plate is marked with transverse mouldings. Both
rivets are missing. Length 37.0mm, maximum width
12.5mm. As Ritterling 1913, Taf 13, 8. (See also Crummy
1977. fig 2, 8.)
4201 Fig 149 SF LWC 4100(C), J1705. Dump or occupation.
Period 1. A strap-loop similar to 4200 but with only two
concentric grooves on the circular elements, and slighter
transverse mouldings at the junction of loop and top plate.
Both globular-headed rivets survive (ibid, fig 2, 4). Length
34.0mm, maximum width 11.0mm.
4202 Fig 149 SF BKC 1831(C), El 161 L382. Charcoal tip-line.
Period 1b or 2. Possibly a fragment (in two pieces) of a straploop
(Ritterling 1913, Taf 13, 23). Length 31.5 mm.
Button-and-loop fastener (Fig 150; 4203)
4203 Fig 150 SF BKC 4733(C), T471. Period 2? A button-and-loop
fastener similar to Wild (1970b, 138) Class 2/3 with a petalshaped
head of which the centre is a hole. A boss is set
inside the hole at the top. The shank rises vertically from the
back of this boss and from the rim above it. The loop is
missing. Length 25.5 mm.
Fig 150 Button-and-loop fastener (1:1)
FIRST-CENTURY EQUIPMENT FROM
CONTEXTS DATED LATER THAN 60/1
ARMOUR
Belt and apron fittings of copper alloy (Fig 151;
4204-4220)
4204 Fig 151 SF LWC 3128(C), J813. Make-up. Period 4a. A
damaged stud with notched rim, possibly from a military
apron. Diameter 21.5mm.
4205 Fig 151 SF LWC 3057(C), J852. Gravel foundation. Period
4a. A rosette stud with corroded but seemingly plain
surface. Diameter 20.0 mm. Square section shaft, clenched,
length 6.0mm.
4207 Fig 151 SF LWC 3315(C), J1035. Uncertain. Earlier than
Period 4b. A rosette stud with traces of white-metal plating
on the surfaces and decorated with a design of ?petal shapes
and circles possibly in niello. Diameter 16.5mm. Square
section shaft, incomplete, length 4.5 mm.
4208 Fig 151 SF LWC 3325(C), J1050. Make-up. Period 3. A
rosette stud similar to Fig 144, 4174. Diameter 19.0mm.
4209 Fig 151 SF LWC 2726(C), K155 F17? Pit. Medieval/postmedieval.
A corroded and damaged apron mount (Webster
1958, fig 4, 64). Length (incomplete) 31.0mm.
4210 Fig 151 SF LWC 3669(C), K389 F208. Pit. Medieval + A