ROMAN HARNESS FITTING

-100

An incomplete cast copper alloy 'miniature' knobbed terret ring of probable later Iron Age or early Roman date (100 BC - 200 AD). Approximately 1/5 of the terret survives, originally it would have been D shaped in plan; it is now an irregular crescent (C shape). The cross section varies in shape along the length of the terret; for the majority it is oval / lentoid. At the base of the ring is a horizontal strap bar with an angular faceted lentoid cross section. This bar is incomplete; all that remains is a small section and scar at one end. The strap bar itself is slight and much thinner than the ring, it is also slightly offset. The ring itself is thicker with distinct raised moulded lappet (circumferential swelling or collar) at the junction with the bar. This swelling is decorated with a circumferential ridge. Originally the ring would have had an angular arch; decorated with a series of evenly spaced knops. Only one of these knops survives, it is sub rectangular in shape being a slight raised knop that projects from the ring. The upper part of this knop terminates in a flat platform, possibly decorated with an incised saltire cross; the patina at this point is heavily abraded. The base of the knop is further decorated with a circumferential (basal) groove, at the point where it meets the harness ring. The ring thins after this external knop and is much waisted by both abrasion and corrosion. It is possible that it may also have been thinned by wear - but the condition does not allow this interpretation. There is no other evidence of incised, cast or applied decoration. The terret ring is a mid green colour with an abraded but polished patina. The terret ring fragment measures 22.9mm length, 5.9mm width across ring, 10.1mm width across collar, it is 5.9mm thick across the ring and 11.5mm thick across the collar. The knop projects 4.4mm measuring 8.3mm x 4.4mm. The strap bar is 9.8mm wide and 3.6mm thick. The terret ring fragment weighs 6.75 grams.Similar shaped terret rings are known from both Iron Age and Roman contexts. A large number of similar sized terret rings can be seen in McGregor: Early Celtic Art in Northern Britain; however most of these have knops rather than raised platforms. All these are dated from either late Iron Age or early Roman contexts. An early Roman date is preferred by the author for this example.