Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds

Fig 42 Plain copper-alloy armlets (1:1)
1656 Fig 43 SF BUC 605(C), C1215 G378. Grave deposit. Period 2.
Internal diameter oval, 46.0 by 50.0mm; rectangular
section, thickness 1.0mm, height 3.0mm. Twisted
expanding clasp. There are faint alternating notches on the
upper and lower edges.
b) obliquely toothed (Kenyon 1948, fig 83, 2)
1657 Fig 43 SF BUC 38(C), A223 G16. Grave deposit. Period 2.
Internal diameter 40.5 mm; rectangular section, thickness
2.0mm, height 1.0mm. There is no obvious join on the
armlet. A penannular suspension ring, which probably
originally held an ornament (as Fig 41, 1610), is threaded
onto the armlet.
c) crenellated, with toothing between the
crenellations (ibid, fig 83, 3)
1659 Fig 43 SF BUC 388/9(C), B1050 G171. Grave deposit.
Period 2. Internal diameter 59.0mm; rectangular section,
thickness 3.0mm, height 2.0mm. One of a group of similar
armlets (1658-64), six with complete diameters (two in
fragments), and part of a seventh. All have lap joints fixed by
a single copper-alloy rivet. The depth of the crenellations
varies. On 1663 they have almost worn away, whereas on
1660 they show no sign of wear.
Transverse grooves (Fig 44; 1672-1692)
a) continuous
1676 Fig 44 SF BUC 388/9(C), B1050 G171. Grave deposit.
Period 2. One of a pair with 1677. Internal diameter
55.0mm; D-shaped section, thickness 1.5mm, height
3.0mm. The deep transverse grooves give a ridged effect.
The armlet has a lap joint, probably originally soldered, now
sprung apart.
1679 Fig 44 SF BUC 388/9(C), B1050 G171. Grave deposit.
Period 2. One of a pair with 1678. In fragments, internal
40
diameter 53.0mm; rectangular section, thickness 1.0mm,
height 4.0mm. The decoration is slight transverse scoring
between marginal grooves. Fixed by a lap joint, probably
originally soldered, now sprung apart.
b) in groups
1683 Fig 44 SF BKC 2788(C), H298 (F94 + F167). Pits. Period 6.
Distorted. Internal diameter 41.0mm; D-shaped section,
thickness 1.5mm, height 3.0mm. Penannular. At each
terminal a group of transverse grooves is followed by a plain
panel and two transverse grooves. A similar armlet was
found at Shakenoak, Oxfordshire (Brodribb et al 1971 b, fig
48, 75).
1684 Fig 44 SF BKC 5467(C), V701. Unstratified. Distorted.
Internal diameter 30.0mm; D-shaped section, thickness
1.5 mm, height 3.5 mm. Penannular. Only one terminal
survives. This shows similar decoration to that of 1688, but
the panel between the groups of transverse grooves bears
an incised elongated cross. The other end has been either
broken or deliberately cut.
1687 Fig 44 SF CPS 601(C), 576 F115. Occupation. Period 4.
Fragment, with groups of grooves alternating with panels
containing a single ring-and-dot. D-shaped section,
thickness 3.0mm, height 4.0mm. A parallel for this
fragment was found in a hoard of armlets at Richborough,
Kent (Henderson 1949, pl 49, 9) dated post 275-300.
1688 Fig 44 SF BUC 69(C), A356 G24. Grave deposit. Period 2.
Internal diameter 28.0mm; D-shaped section, thickness
2.0mm, height 3.0mm. Groups of slight transverse grooves
alternate with short thick plain panels which may have been
plated with white metal. The armlet was probably made from
a larger one, as one end appears to have been cut. The upper
half of the other end forms a tongue.
1689 Fig 44 SF BUC 388/9(C), B1050 G171. Grave deposit.
Period 2. In two fragments, internal diameter 52.5 mm;
rectangular section, thickness 1.5 mm, height 3.5 mm.