ROMAN STATUE

43

Seven copper alloy fragments from a statue of Roman date. Two of the largest fragments depict moulded hair, though if this is from a beard or head cannot be determined. Another of the larger fragments is curved and likely to represent part of the neck of a figure. A small rectangular indentation is present to one end of this fragment though its purpose is unknown. The four smaller fragments are indeterminate parts of the larger statue.These fragments relate to those recorded as YORYM-F46085 and YORYM-5053ED which have been assessed by Kosmas Dafas of Kings College, London in which it is stated that "it is not certain whether we are dealing with an exclusively personalised/individualised portrait of an emperor (?) or an idealised work also bearing certain naturalistic/realistic features".The fragments were subjected to pXRF Analysis by Matt Phelps of University College London through which it was determined that the zinc content is very low and does not seem to have been deliberately added (although they could well be recycled metals where repeated re-meltings have evaporated the zinc). The tin content is at 10% and a large amount of lead is included in the alloy at around 18% lead.Phelps surmises that this statue is stylistically Roman which matches the use of zinc which was a technology brought to Britain by the Romans.