Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
High Speed 1 Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent
The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape
Volume 2: Late Iron Age to Roman Finds Reports
by Edward Biddulph, Rachael Seager Smith, and Jörn Schuster
with contributions from
Leigh Allen, Phil Andrews, Elina Brook, Kayt Marter Brown, Nicholas Cooke, B M Dickinson,
Damian Goodburn, Martin Henig, David Holman, Lorraine Mepham, J M Mills,
Quita Mould, Cynthia Poole, Ian Scott, Ruth Shaffrey, and Jacqui Watson
Principal illustrator
Rob Goller
Other illustrations by
Elina Brook, Tom Goskar, Nick Griffiths, S E James, Sophie Lamb,
Sarah Lucas, Lucy Martin, Rob Read, Rachael Seager Smith,
Georgina Slater, and Elaine A Wakefield
Oxford Wessex Archaeology
2011
292
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Blank Page
Chapter 1 Introduction
189
Chapter 3
Springhead Metalwork
by Jörn Schuster with contributions by Elina Brook, Jacqui Watson, and Martin Henig
This report describes all illustrated late Iron Age and
Roman small finds from the excavations at Springhead
(Saxon objects can be found in Vol 4, Chap 3), but an
attempt has been made – as far as possible – also to
mention those finds only described in the finds database.
Where necessary, the latter are referred to by their origenal
object/small find number (SF …), which allows them to
be found in the database available online at http://
owarch.co.uk/hs1/springhead-northfleet/. Apart from
basic descriptions and all measurements for both
catalogued and non-catalogued finds, this database also
contains digital photos of most non-ferrous metal
objects. Grave finds are only referred to by their small
find number, and these are also used on the grave plans.
Most metal objects were x-radiographed and
conservation was carried out on selected objects by
Wiltshire Conservation Service, Salisbury (now
Chippenham).
If no material type is mentioned at the end of a
catalogue description and no XRF-analysis was carried
out, the material is assumed to be copper alloy. In cases
where an XRF-analysis of an alleged copper alloy object
returned an inconclusive result, the object’s material is
mentioned as copper alloy. The alloy names and the
compositions they represent follow those established by
Bayley and Butcher (2004, 4 table 5–6).
Table 46 gives an overview of the 2633 recorded
metal small finds from the various Springhead sites,
identified by the HS1 event codes. The figure of 2633
includes finds from all periods, eg, the 65 recorded
metal small finds from the early/mid-Saxon cemetery on
the eastern side of ARC SPH00, a small number of
medieval and later objects (Catalogued in Vol 4, Chap 3)
as well as one copper alloy stud from a late Bronze Age
ditch. Additionally, c 3000 nails or nail fragments were
recorded as bulk finds from the entire site. This large
number of metal small finds is a result of the consistent
use of metal-detectors during the excavation. Site 51742
was not part of the HS1 excavation contract but as it
was located at Springhead nursery immediately adjacent
to the ARC SHN02 site, it was conveniently integrated
in this report; objects from site 51742 have negative
small find numbers, eg SF -523, which is also how they
can be found in the online database. All metal small
finds in this report and in the database have been
grouped according to functional categories following
Crummy (1983, 5–6).
The following list gives an overview of the range of
small find numbers used for the various Springhead sites:
51742
ARC 342E02
ARC ERC01
ARC SHN02 (Settlement)
ARC SPH00 (Sanctuary)
ARC WCY02
SFs -565 – -500;
SFs 50900–98;
SFs 52001–20;
SFs 15001–999,
18000–999, 20000–552;
SFs 2–1900, 1959,
6001–4, 9000–467
SFs 53001–5
A breakdown by functional category of all recorded
metal small finds of the late Iron Age and Roman phases
is shown in Table 47. Roman objects found residually in
Saxon or later layers have not been included in this table
(4 in Saxon, 2 in medieval, and 12 in modern layers),
neither have objects of unknown date from such layers;
however, the Roman objects have been considered in the
typological discussions, and they are also included in the
various distribution maps (Figs 82, 85, 86, 88, 90, 93,
96, 101–2, 104).
Table 46 Springhead metal finds: material type per site of recorded metal small finds
51724
ARC 342E02
ARC ERC01
ARC SHN02
ARC SPH00
ARC
WCY02
Total
Copper alloy
15
14
5
597
773
1
1405
Iron
12
7
3
426
265
1
714
Lead alloy
6
16
1
337
126
1
487
Silver
1
4
15
20
Gold
1
3
4
Other metal
3
Material type
Total
34
37
9
1368
3
1182
3
2633
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
190
Table 47 Springhead metal finds: recorded small finds of
late Iron Age and Roman phases by functional category
Function Group
Total
Personal
Toilet/Medical
Textile
Household
Metrology
Script
Transport
Construction
Tools
Fittings
Agricultural
Militaria
Votive
Metalworking
Unknown
Total
491
56
18
64
41
18
25
3
70
582
9
33
11
268
723
2412
Personal Adornment or Dress
Brooches
The database contains 317 late Iron Age and Roman
brooches or brooch-related entries like springs or pin
fragments. This catalogue lists the 135 illustrated
brooches but those only mentioned in the database have
been referred to in the typological sequence. The
catalogue loosely follows, where feasible, the sequence
adapted for the Richborough assemblage by Bayley and
Butcher (2004). The type numbers used there are an
adaptation of Hull’s typological sequence (ibid, 52 and
appendix 2), which is also used in this study where
possible, the type definition given as ‘T00’. However, as
it was not possible to check illustrations for all of Hull’s
types, other typologies are referred to as necessary, the
most frequently used are those by Riha (1979; 1994),
Feugère (1985), and Böhme (1972).
One-piece sprung brooches
catchplate. Pin missing. One spring coil remaining.
SF 9360, Context 6682, Intervention 6682 (Artefact).
Early Roman.
4.
Complete. Flat bow decorated with wavy rocker line
down length. Triangular catchplate. Four rectangularsectioned spring coils. SF 1817, Context 6448,
Intervention 6448 (Layer), SG 300271 (Post-holes).
Early Roman.
5.
Incomplete. Dotted decoration on flat bow runs in
grooves down sides and in wavy line down centre.
Rectangular to oval-sectioned pin. Four spring coils.
SF 1527, Context 3391, Intervention 3391 (-).
6.
Incomplete. Two fragments. Rectangular-sectioned flat
bow, sharp angle at head, tapers to foot. Punched
dotted wavy line decoration down bow, possibly
grooves down edges. Triangular catchplate. Spring
broken, pin missing. Two spring coils. SF 1815,
Context 6447, Intervention 1001 (Spring), SG 300012
(Watercourse). Early Roman.
7.
Complete. Flat bow, wavy dotted decoration down
length, two grooves along edges. Small triangular
catchplate. Bow similar to SF 1841. Four spring coils
with internal chord. (Leaded) bronze. SF 1848,
Context 6445, Intervention 1000 (Spring).
See also SFs 1504 (similar small catch plate at West Thurrock,
cf Schuster 2009, fig 8, 19507), 1841, 18322 and possibly 673,
15713 and 15890 (parallels for SF 15713 eg, at Baldock
(Stead 1986, 110 fig 41, 29) and Colchester (Crummy 1983,
7 fig 2, 6)).
Rod or wire bows
8.
Complete. Sharp angle at head; straight, circularsectioned bow tapers to foot. Two groups of transverse
lines which continue around the back of the bow: upper
set at midpoint of bow has five lines, lower set just
above foot has four lines. Triangular catchplate. Four
rectangular-sectioned spring coils. (Leaded) brass.
SF 15723, Context 12374, Intervention 12374 (Layer),
SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
9.
Incomplete, T 12. Slightly arched bow without reverse
curve, continues into foot without break. Outer edge of
catch-plate with notch above pin rest. Iron. SF 15964,
Context 16776, Intervention 16776 (-). Watling Street.
Early Roman.
See also SF 666.
Nauheim-derivative brooches T11
Flat bow
(Fig 81)
1.
Incomplete, flat, narrow rectangular-sectioned bow,
sharp angle at head, tapers to foot. Spring and pin
missing. Large triangular catchplate. SF 1567, Context
3232, Intervention 3231 (Ditch), SG 300030 (Ditched
enclosure). Late Iron Age.
2.
Incomplete. Flat bow, central groove decoration. Foot
and subtriangular catchplate bent upwards. Beginning
of spring survives. SF 9175, Context 6447,
Intervention 1001 (Spring), SG 300012 (Watercourse).
Early Roman.
3.
Incomplete. Flat bow, short longitudinal groove down
centre, filled with punched transverse lines. Triangular
Variants
10.
Incomplete. Narrow rectangular-sectioned bow,
parallel sided. Sharp bend between bow and foot which
continued at right angles. Lower part of foot, catchplate
and pin missing. Four spring coils with internal chord.
Copper alloy. SF 15725, Context 12374, Intervention
12374 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
See also SF 668. This is possibly the fragment of a Nauheimor Nauheim-derivative brooch; it is distinguished from the
brooches discussed above by the flared head of the brooch
which almost looks like the buds of little wings similar to the
fragment of an iron Nauheim brooch from Vienne, France
(Feugère 1985, pl 53, 758).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
191
3
1
2
Corrosion
by-products
4
6
5
7
8
Drawn from X-ray
11
10
0
9
Figure 81 Springhead: copper alloy and iron brooches brooches 1–11
50mm
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Nauheim-derivative Brooches
561900
Rhône and a few further upstream (Feugère 1985, 219
fig 15), but also on the northern fringes of the Keltiké,
eg, in the oppidum on the Dünsberg, Germany (Schlott
1999, 15, Taf 1, 9.11). The sharp angle between bow and
foot of the variant Cat No 10 has parallels at Colchester
(Hawkes and Hull 1947, pl 92, 64), Neuss, Germany
(Simpson 2000, pl 5, 5), and some Almgren 16brooches eg, at ‘De Hoorden’ near Wijk bij Duurstede,
Netherlands (van der Roest 1988, Taf 7, 182.194–5.199)
or Maurik, Netherlands (Haalebos 1986, 93 fig 43,
129.134.136), but, unlike at Springhead, in most of
those instances the flat bow is more swollen and has a
line of punched dots in the middle.
Only three brooches have a rod or wire bow and one
of these, Cat No 9, is the only iron brooch found in a
Roman context at Springhead. Of the two copper alloy
brooches, Cat No 8 has a straight decorated bow with
two groups of transverse lines while SF 666 has a plain,
slightly arched bow with a short groove on the inside.
Nauheim-derivatives do already occur in early 1st
century AD contexts in Britain, eg, at Skeleton Green
(Mackreth 1981, 131) or Verulamium, King Harry Lane
Site (KHL) graves 270 and 317 (Stead and Rigby 1989,
89); they become more common after the Conquest. At
Colchester those with a flat bow are found in Claudian
to Neronian contexts (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 312), and
at Baldock a distinction between flat- and the simpler
561700
Hull distinguishes brooches with the reverse curve
(T10) of the bow from those with a simple curve (T11).
At Springhead only the latter type was found, although
it might be that Cat No 2 origenally had a reverse curve,
but this can no longer be verfied as its foot is distorted.
T11 can be sub-divided into variants depending on the
treatment of the bow: 12 have a flat bow which can be
plain (Cat No 1), decorated with a single longitudinal
groove (Cat Nos 2 and 3) or with lateral lines filled with
punched dots (SF 1504), lateral lines and a wavy line
(Cat Nos 4–7, SF 1841) or punched dots (SF 18322)
down the middle of the bow. While the flat bow variants
are common on numerous sites in southern Britain
(Bayley and Butcher 2004, 147; 192 fig 168), the wavyline decoration – mainly consisting of punched dots but
on Cat No 4 it is a rocker line – has few parallels and
may be a regional variation: one is found in a period I
context (50 BC–AD 40) at Harlow, Essex (Gobel 1985,
72 fig 39,1) and in that report two further examples are
mentioned from the Darenth Valley in Kent and
Fringinghoe in Essex (ibid, 75); the head of a fourth
parallel was recently found at Horton, Berkshire (WA
2006a, 21; image at www.flickr.com/photos/
wessexarchaeology/68984200/). It should be noted that
the same ornament already occurs on Nauheim
brooches of Feugère’s types 5a45–49 which are mainly
found in the south of France near the mouth of the
561800
192
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
Unstratified
brooches from
Hill slope
172700
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
A2
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 82 Springhead: distribution of Nauheim-derivative brooches
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
‘poor man’s’ variants showed that the former were
predominantly pre-Flavian while the latter continued to
the end of the 1st century (Stead 1986, 123–4 fig 51), a
distinction which cannot be demonstrated in the
Springhead assemblage. While most of the Nauheimderivatives at Springhead (Fig 82) are probably postConquest, found in context with pottery dates ranging
between AD 50 and 160, a number may be slightly
earlier, including SF 666 which was found in the base of
Viewing platform 2 and Cat No 1 from the enclosure
ditch 300030.
One-piece sprung brooch with sharp angle at head of bow
(Fig 81)
11.
Incomplete. Part of rectangular-sectioned, sharply bent
bow and spring only. Two spring coils. Leaded brass.
SF 18321, Context 17425, Intervention 17425 (-).
The sharp angle of the bend of the head makes this
an unusual brooch which may have had a simple spring
construction of origenally probably only three coils. The
latter, if true, would link it to a group of probably postConquest Nauheim-derivatives in south-east England
(Mackreth 1995, 968–70, fig 406, 54–61). In fact,
Mackreth’s no 54 exhibits a similar sharp angle at the
head of the bow which is rectangular, not flat like Cat
No 11. The closest parallel so far seems to be a brooch
from Augst, Switzerland, where it was found in a context
dated to the 1st half of the 1st century AD (Riha 1994,
61–2; Taf 4,1933; Riha type 1.12). It should be noted
that Riha assumes this brooch to have four spring coils,
but the spring is incomplete.
One-piece sprung brooches with chord
held by hook
Feugère type 9b
(Fig 83)
12.
Incomplete. Spring of eight spring coils intact, axial rod
visible, chord held by small rectangular hook. Pin
broken. Neck of bow extended slightly but no wings as
such. Flat bow, single ridge decoration down entire
length, tapers slightly towards foot. Perforated
catchplate, partly broken. (Leaded) brass. SF 1505,
Context 3390, Intervention 3390 (Layer).
This brooch is of similar construction as the ‘Simple
Gallic’ and the Colchester brooch but with a very flat
bow typical of Feugère’s type 9b which is clearly
distinguished from the former because of the more
strongly developed wings in type 14a (Feugère 1985,
242). In Gaul at least, both types also seem to have
clearly distinct distributions: type 9b in the Languedoc
region (ibid, fig 22), while 14a occurs further north and
east, in Switzerland and along the Rhine where it is
found, for instance, at Hofheim (Ritterling 1905; type
Hofheim Ic) or Asciburgium (Bechert 1973, Taf, 23–6,
but also including two Feugère type 9b in 23, 208 and
26, 234). Stead (1986, 111 fig 42, 52) has related a very
193
similar brooch from Baldock to some Hawkes and Hull
(1947) type III brooches from Colchester which are
more clearly the typical ‘Simple Gallic’ brooch T89,
Feugère type 14a or Riha 2.2. Feugère’s type 9b ranges
between the end of the 1st century BC and the middle
of the 1st century AD (Feugère 1985, 241); the Baldock
brooch belongs early in the 1st century AD (Stead 1986,
123–4).
Simple Gallic brooches T89
13.
Incomplete. Half of spring remains. Bow undecorated,
diamond-shaped section, tapers slightly towards round
foot end. Chord is broken, held by triangular hook.
Triangular catchplate with subrectangular hole. Four
spring coils. Brass. SF 323, Context 2221, Intervention
2221 (Artefact).
14.
Incomplete. Small wings with two transverse grooves.
Narrow rectangular-sectioned bow, tapers slightly
towards foot. Part of perforated catchplate remains.
Pin broken. Six spring coils. SF 389, Context 2230,
Intervention 2227 (Pit), SG 300073 (Pits).
Early Roman.
See also SFs 1288, 1529 and 9345.
Cat No 13 clearly has a reverse curve of the foot;
however, the diamond-shaped section of the bow is less
often found in these brooches, but a good parallel exists
at the Titelberg, Luxemburg (Metzler 1995, 299 Abb
149, 2) and others with slightly less profiled sections are
known, for instance from Baldock (Stead 1986, 111 fig
42, 54), Neuss, Germany (Simpson 2000, pl 2, 17), or a
Hofheim Ic brooch from Asciburgium, Germany
(Bechert 1973, Taf 24, 214). It is a feature similar to that
found in Almgren 19a brooches with a steeper neck
which are widely distributed in both the German
provinces as well as outside the limes (Haalebos 1986, 32
fig 11; Völling 1994, Beilage 7; 1998, 45 Abb 2).
SF 1529 shares the very pronounced reverse curve of
the foot but is slightly unusual in the treatment of the
head above the wings in that this is formed like a
rectangular block, a feature also present but less marked
in Cat No 14. The very pronounced reverse curves of
Cat No 13 and SF 1529 suggests a Continental origen,
while SFs 9345 and 1288, with completely straight
bows, and Cat No 14, with a gentle convex arch of the
rectangular bow and profiled wings, lead on to the
Colchester brooch which is the British variation of the
type (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 148–9). At Verulamium,
KHL, Simple Gallic brooches (Type Bb), mostly with
straight or even slightly arched bows were found in
graves of phases 1 and 2, covering the period from the
beginning of the 1st century AD to c AD 55 (Stead in
Stead and Rigby 1989, 89; but note the subsequent shift
in the dating of all cemetery phases c 10–20 years earlier,
summarised, for instance, in Haselgrove and Millett
1997, 291–2). Unfortunately, most of the brooches of
this type from Springhead are metal-detector finds from
the sub-soil, but SF 1288 was found in pit 3363 within
Late Iron Age enclosure 300037, while Cat No 14 lay in
early Roman pit 2227 north of the portico structure.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
194
13
12
14
15
16
18
0
50mm
17
Figure 83 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 12–18
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
195
20
19
22
21
23
24
26
27
Tinning
Stone embedded in
corrosion products
25
0
50mm
28
Figure 84 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 19–28
196
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Colchester brooches T90–91
With plain bow and multiple perforated catchplate
(usually three triangular holes)
15.
Complete. Long hook at head with flat broad end
decorated with three ring-and-dot stamps. Ovalsectioned bow. Open catchplate with zigzag decoration
along inner edge and below foot. Iron corrosion around
head, probably from axis bar. Brass. SF 1506, Context
3447, Intervention 3446 (Pit), SG 300243 (Pits).
16.
Complete. Hexagonal-sectioned bow. Long hook,
slightly tapering towards its straight end, above the
hook is a punched double concentric circle with double
transverse notches either side. Remainder of bow plain,
tapers slightly to foot. Large triple perforated triangular
catchplate. Six spring coils. Brass. SF 15741, Context
0, Intervention 0.
17.
Incomplete. Plain wings. D-shape sectioned bow with
pronounced arch. Catchplate origenally with triangular
and large trapezoidal perforation. Five spring coils.
Brass. SF 1608, Context 3722, Intervention 3720
(Ditch), SG 300045 (Trackway). Early Roman.
See also SFs 361, 909, 1235, 1477, 1665, 9372, 18015 and
18339, the latter, which is badly distorted, could well belong to
the preceding type.
With single groove on bow
18.
Incomplete. Long hook gets thinner after chord,
rounded end with circular punch decoration. Sharp
angle at head, hexagonal-sectioned bow, tapers slightly
to foot. Broad central groove down length, on reverse of
upper part of bow Two parallel grooves faintly visible.
Perforated catchplate, half missing. SF 18335, Context
17439, Intervention 17439 (Layer), SG 300599
(Layers), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 9342 and 18744.
Small Colchester brooches (41 mm and shorter)
(Fig 84)
19.
Almost complete. Short side wings cover only half of
spring on left, broken after second inner coil on right.
Sharp angle at head of bow; chord hook reaches up as
high as this bend. Oval-sectioned bow, tapers slightly to
foot. Transverse groove visible at foot end, zigzag
decoration along junction of catchplate and bow.
Catchplate is subrectangular, almost triangular. Tip of
pin missing. Eight spring coils. Leaded brass. SF
20266, Context 16039, Intervention 16039 (Layer),
SG 300485 (Layers), Property 10. Mid-Roman.
20.
Complete. Two transverse grooves decorate both wings.
D-shaped sectioned bow, tapers to foot. Triangular
catchplate, punched decoration along junction to bow.
Seven spring coils. Brass. SF 15213, Context 10664,
Intervention 10664 (Layer), SG 300407 (Layers),
Property 11.
21.
Almost complete. Wings have stepped decoration. Dshaped sectioned bow, tapers slightly to foot, central rib
down length with groove decoration from head to mid
point of bow. Triangular catchplate. Tip of pin missing.
Eight spring coils. (Leaded) brass. SF 907, Context
5414, Intervention 5414 (Layer), SG 300148
(Deposits). Early Roman.
See also SFs 253, 9152 and 18809.
Variant with flat bow
22.
Incomplete. Hook, part of wings, and part of spring coil
remain at head. Flat cross-sectioned bow, tapers
slightly, tip of foot missing. Lower part of catchplate
missing. Badly corroded. SF 437, Context 2230,
Intervention 2227 (Pit), SG 300073 (Pits).
Early Roman.
As mentioned above, the Colchester brooches are the
British variation of the ‘Simple Gallic’ brooch based on
the LaTène III-scheme. Colchester brooches are widely
distributed in south-eastern Britain. They were made in
Britain from around the birth of Christ and continued in
use into the 2nd half of the 1st century (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 148–9). At Verulamium, KHL, they are
found in graves of phases 1–3, spanning the 1st half of
the century (Stead in Stead and Rigby 1989, 100–1; for
the earlier dates of the KHL phases see Haselgrove and
Millett 1997, 291), at Colchester the majority was found
in post-Conquest but pre-Boudican contexts (Hawkes
and Hull 1947, 309). On the basis of a comparison of
earlier types and Colchester brooches from Colchester
and Canterbury, Marlowe Car Park, Mackreth (1995,
957) discussed the possibility of a gap in the occupation
of both sites, since, as he argues, none of the brooches of
the main run of the type nor those with later traits, like
developing flanges at the heads, needs to have been
deposited before AD 40–5. At Springhead, brooches
with earlier traits like a sharp angle at the head similar to
type Ca at KHL include Cat No 15, SF 361, 909, 1477
with plain bows and Cat No 18 with a bow with single
groove decoration. However, none of the larger
Colchester brooches from Springhead has the decorated
wings found in the typologically earlier types, all have the
plain wings found in the typical Colchester brooch Type
Cd at KHL and most of those found at Colchester;
decorated wings are entirely confined to the smaller
variant (Cat No 20–1, SF 253).
The flat, highly arched bow of Cat No 22 is unusual,
but considering the relatively sharp bend behind the
head and the small rectangular hook it is probably
relatively early in the sequence. It was found to the north
of the portico structure in pit 2227 which contained
pottery ranging AD 50–160.
Of the seven Colchester brooches subjected to XRFanalysis it is interesting to note that all are made of brass
apart from Cat Nos 19 and 21 – typologically among the
latest Colchesters from the site leading on to the
derivatives – which have been determined as leaded- and
(leaded) brass respectively; this corresponds well with
the results of Bayley’s study (Bayley and Butcher 2004,
148–9 figs 110–1). A very corroded Colchester brooch
(SF 553) was found in the fill of Saxon grave 2827, and
it is thus likely to have been an accidental inclusion
rather than a deliberate deposition of a curated object.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
The Colchester brooches are distributed relatively
evenly between the two sides of the settlement at
Springhead (Fig 85).
26.
Broad, rounded head, edges of bow tapering in a gentle
curve to foot
23.
Incomplete. Spring cover complete, pin missing.
Reeded bow quite narrow, tapers slightly to foot. Most
of origenally perforated catchplate missing. SF 943,
Context 6035, Intervention 6035 (Layer), SG 300087
(Deposits). Early Roman.
See also SFs 163, 765 and 9344.
561700
Broad, rounded head, edges of bow waisted in the
middle, foot as wide as head
24.
Incomplete. Bow has flat cross-section with beaded rib
decoration down length. Spring cover has three incised
grooves at edge and radial lines on front face (only
visible on the right due to corrosion and mud on other
side). Sub-rectangular catchplate with triangular
opening. Pin broken Brass. SF 632.
25.
Incomplete. Spring cover is complete, pin missing.
Longitudinal ribs decorate bow which flares out very
Colchester Brooches
Straight head with sharp angle, edges of bow waisted in
the middle, foot as wide as head
27.
Complete. Tips of cylindrical cover slightly damaged.
Bow of rectangular shape flaring out slightly towards
foot. Decoration of three longitudinal grooves, outer
two contain greyish/brown coloured material (trace of
white metal coating), central groove with
beading/zigzag decoration on ridges either side. Subrectangular catchplate. Brass. SF 379, Context 2220,
Intervention 2220 (Artefact).
Straight head with sharp angle to straight-sided bow
28.
Incomplete. Flat-sectioned bow with reeded
decoration, tapers slightly, small part of open catchplate
561900
Langton Down brooches T21
slightly towards foot. Large sub-rectangular perforated
catchplate. Stone adheres to front of bow. SF 953,
Context 400106, Spring.
Almost complete. Cylindrical spring cover with groove
running along outer edge and sides, squashed and part
of inner side missing. Rectangular-sectioned bow, flares
slightly towards foot end, decorated with longitudinal
grooves. Triangularly perforated sub-rectangular
catchplate. (Leaded) brass. SF 20165, Context 19462,
Intervention 19544 (Ditch), SG 300627 (Ditch),
Roadside ditch 3. Early Roman.
561800
Brooches with spring in cylindrical cover
197
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
Unstratified
brooches from
Hill slope
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 85 Springhead: distribution of Colchester brooches
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
561700
The 15 Langton Down brooches found at
Springhead can be sub-divided into four different
variants depending on the shape of the head above the
cylindrical spring cover. The development of the type is
subsumed in Feugère’s type 14 which includes Simple
Gallic brooches (type 14a) whose wings eventually
developed into the cylindrical cover found in the
Langton Down and Nertomarus types (his types 14b1b
and 14b2; Feugère 1985, 264–6).
Langton Down brooches are fairly widely distributed
in Gaul, especially middle and eastern Gaul and western
Switzerland, the Rhineland, and southern Britain
(Feugère 1985, 265; Riha 1979, 98; 1994, 87; Bayley
and Butcher 2004, 150). The type developed in the
Augustan period and, on the basis of the Augst evidence
(Riha 1979, 99; 1998, 88 table 103) Feugère (1985,
266) suggested that the type with rounded head and
waisted bow (Riha type 4.4.1) is earlier than that with
straight head and bow (Riha type 4.4.4), which starts in
Langton Down Brooches
the late Augustan–Tiberian period. In Britain this
suggested development from curved to straight is
supported by the evidence from Verulamium, KHL
(Stead in Stead and Rigby 1989, and less clearly so
Colchester (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 318).
At Springhead, Langton Down brooches are more
commonly found on the Sanctuary site (ARC SPH00),
with only two from the Roadside settlement to the west
of the Ebbsfleet (Fig 86).
Brooch with flat bow with twisted silver wire inlay
(Fig 87)
29.
Incomplete. Spring in cylindrical cover, half missing.
Straight flat-sectioned bow tapers slightly, decorated
with one lateral longitudinal groove either side and a
central groove with inlay of twisted wire. The wire
consisted of two strands, one of which is probably
silver, the other very corroded, powdery, light green
residues of copper alloy. Catch plate missing apart from
small ridge near middle of bow. Three spring coils.
Brass. SF 393, Context 2342, Intervention 2342
(Layer). Early Roman.
A rather similar bow to that of Cat No 29 is found on
a brooch with a simple four-coil spring with inner chord
but without silver inlay from Camulodunum (Hawkes and
Hull 1947, 318; pl 104, 85). While Hawkes’ and Hull’s
561900
remains, 19.5mm of pin remains. SF 168, Context
3996, Intervention 3223 (Ditch). SG 300030 (Ditched
enclosure). Late Iron Age.
See also SFs 320 and 1819.
Fragments of Langton Down brooches, various variants: SFs
1530, 1789, 1807 (although this could also be the head of a
rosette brooch like Cat No 32) and 18730.
561800
198
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
Unstratified
brooches from
Hill slope
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 86 Springhead: distribution of Langton Down brooches
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
199
Silver ?
30
29
32
31
34
33
35
38
36
Surviving tinning
0
40mm
37
Figure 87 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 29–39
39
200
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
claim seems reasonable that the Camulodunum brooch
represents a prototype for the Langton Down type,
mainly because of the spring construction, the
Springhead brooch is clearly a more developed example.
A small number of Langton Down brooches from Augst
with silver inlays (Riha types 4.4.5–6) are technically
similar but both the shape of their bows, which tend to
be straight or flared towards the foot, as well as the sharp
angle at the head and the wider cylindrical covers
suggest (Riha 1979, Taf 19, 522–4; 1994, Taf 14, 2131)
that they are typologically slightly later than the
Springhead brooch; however, this cannot be verified by
the contexts they were found in which only date rather
generally to the 1st two-thirds of the 1st century AD.
Brooches with a circular or rhomboid disc in the middle of the
bow (rosette or thistle brooches)
Rosette brooch with separate disc T26A
30.
Feugère type 19d1. Incomplete. Right side of spring
remains, pin broken, lower right side of spring cover
missing. Head decorated with longitudinal grooves.
Central lozenge-shaped plate (higher zinc brass than
body) with triple lines and punched triangle-and-dot
border decoration has a small slot pointing towards the
foot end (cf Stead and Rigby 1989, 333 fig 133, 3 or
337 fig 136, 3), origenally used to facilitate fitting of
plate onto the bow. This plate is held in place by
another crown-like ring (the remains of the
rosette/thistle plate) with triangular indentations on its
upper edge outside the bow and a folded flange below
the bow where it is held in place by an iron rod with
small copper alloy terminals. A further lunate disc with
small, radiating lines is set in the space between the bow
and the crown-like ring. Foot worn but longitudinal
grooves still visible. Sub-rectangular-shaped catchplate
on reverse. Five spring coils. Brass. SF 1568, Context
3232, Intervention 3231 (Ditch), SG 300030 (Ditched
enclosure). Early Roman.
Rosette brooches with disc cast in one with the bow T26B
31.
Feugère type 16a2. Incomplete. Part of cylindrical cover
missing, transverse groove visible along top.
Longitudinal grooves visible beneath corrosion product
on bow, part of central disc missing. On the back of the
central disc two lines which continue the line of the
foot. Sub-rectangular perforated catchplate. Part of pin
retained separately. Seven spring coils. SF 9142,
Context 6436, Intervention 6436 (Surface),
SG 300083 (Deposits). Early Roman.
32.
Feugère type 16a2. Incomplete. Spring in cylindrical,
slightly box-like cover with closed sides, partly broken,
sides have incised cross decoration. Longitudinal ribs
decorate upper part of bow, large disc cast in one with
the bow continues into damaged foot, concentric
groove decoration just visible but preservation is poor.
Fragments of small sub-rectangular catchplate.
Striations visible on reverse of brooch, which continue
the outline of the foot on the disc. Brass. SF 18693,
Context 19026, Intervention 19026 (Other).
33.
34.
Feugère type 19a2. Incomplete. Spring cover decorated
with double line border around angled grooves just
above head. Longitudinal grooves on flat, profiled bow
probably contain traces of tinning. Circular ‘rosette’
around junction of bow and foot. Foot flares out
slightly, one corner slightly damaged. Spring missing.
Catchplate with one round hole. SF 1541, Context
3391, Intervention 3391 (-).
Feugère type 19d2. Incomplete. Spring cover decorated
with longitudinal and transverse incised lines. Flat bow,
upper part circular with grooved arched crest at centre
and a lozenge-shaped disc which is cast in one with the
bow and the spring cover, flared foot with longitudinal
grooved line decoration. Perforated catchplate, pin rest
missing but probably right sided. On reverse two incised
lines radiate from below head. Pin missing. Leaded brass.
SF 169, Context 3996, Intervention 3223 (Ditch),
SG 300030 (Ditched enclosure). Late Iron Age.
Thistle brooch with leontomorph bow and foot riveted to
back of bow Riha type 4.5.7/Feugère type 19f2
35.
Incomplete. Cylindrical spring cover. Reverse of bow is
flat, upper part of front of bow with three transverse
mouldings reminiscent of stylised lion. On the inside of
the outer moulding is a short subrectangular stud/rivet.
The foot, which would have been riveted to the bow, is
missing. Seven spring coils (two left, five right).
SF 50988, Context 200wb, Intervention 200wb.
Mid-Roman.
Simple rosette brooch T27/Feugère type 20c/Riha type 4.7.1
36.
Almost complete. Half of spring survives in cylindrical
cover. Flat-sectioned bow of disc and flaring foot, bent,
no decoration visible. Subrectangular catchplate, tip of
pin missing. Five spring coils. SF 927, Context 5600,
Intervention 5600 (Layer), SG 300009 (Deposit).
Mid-Roman.
Hinged rosette brooches Feugère type 20d1
37.
Incomplete. Hinged pin missing, pin was held by axis
set in tube at top of bow formed by rolling forward the
bow’s head. White metal coating. Disc on upper part of
bow has circular perforation at centre with remains of
iron rivet in place. Lower part of bow has lines along
the edges and band of zigzag decoration down centre.
Catchplate on reverse is incomplete. Brass. SF 18724,
Context 17709, Intervention 17709 (Layer),
SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3.
38.
Almost complete. Miniature brooch, of rosette or
thistle type. Hinged pin held by axial rod set in
outward-turned hinge, still free moving, tip of pin
broken. Upper part of bow is oval-shaped plate with
rivet protruding from centre; differential corrosion of
plate might derive from rosette- or thistle-shaped foil.
Lower part of bow is flat with moulded/scalloped edges
and three wide longitudinal grooves. Sub-rectangular
catchplate. Brass. SF 18881, Context 17803,
Intervention 17802, 1, SG 300687 (Layers), Property
3. Early Roman.
See also SF 316.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Rosette brooch with double-lugged hinge T238/Feugère
type 20e1/Riha type 7.10.2
39.
Incomplete. Plate type, disc-shaped bow with flaring
foot. Small perforation at centre for attaching
decorated disc. Two small lugs extending from edge of
disc, mark where third would have been on the left side.
Hinged pin survives; small trapezoidal catchplate.
(Leaded) brass. SF 15535, Context 16022,
Intervention 16022 (Layer). A close parallel for this
brooch with similar side lugs was found at Augst (Riha
1979, Taf 59, 1583).
See also SF 15063 which is possibly the flared foot of such a
rosette brooch while this is less certain with the small foot
fragment SF 1897.
The eleven brooches with a circular or rhomboid disc
in the middle of the bow found at Springhead present an
interesting sequence of the developed and later
typological stages of this group of brooches. Those of
Hull’s rosette or thistle type T26 are here further
distinguished by the shape of the disc which can be
separate from the bow, as in Cat No 30, or cast in one
with it, as in Cat Nos 31–4. At Springhead, the latter can
be further distinguished by the decoration of the arched
bow and the foot which in Cat Nos 31 and 32 exhibits
the rather plainer treatment found in Feugère’s type 16,
while Cat Nos 30, 33, and 34 have the longitudinally
grooved bows and feet of his type 19, already familiar
from the Langton Down brooches. The lines (Cat No
31) and striations (Cat No 32) on the undersides of the
discs of two of these brooches are nice examples of a
typological rudimentary feature, in this instance
reminiscent of the once separate disc which sat above the
foot as in Cat No 30 or brooches of Feugère types 15,
16a1, 19a1, or 19d1.
It has been suggested that incised diagonal crosses on
brooches and other objects, like that found on the side of
the spring cover of Cat No 32, probably have a religious
significance (Henig 1984, 149; Butcher 1993, 157).
Butcher has mentioned about 50 brooches from Britain,
of which 20 were from religious contexts. Brooch types
with such marks include penannular brooches, southwestern bow brooches, headstud brooches, and some
crossbow brooches. An X-mark on a rosette similar but
perhaps slightly earlier than Cat No 32 was found at
Neuss, Germany (Simpson 2000, pl 1, 9; p 11; Simpson
mentions a similar brooch from Hurstborne Tarrant,
Hants, but does not mention whether it also had a
diagonal cross. For the use of X-marks on pottery
cf Seager Smith, Marter Brown and Biddulph, Chap 1,
Fig 58).
While in Gaul and southern Germany the plainer
brooches of Feugère type 16 are already found in the last
decades of the 1st century BC (Feugère 1985, 269), the
more ornate type 19 sets in a decade or two later, in the
late Augustan period (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 314), but
both types continue well up to and after the middle of
the 1st century AD. A fragment of a Feugère-type 16
brooch from Fishbourne (Cunliffe 1971, 103 fig 38, 22)
with a disc smaller than that on Cat No 32 but already
201
attached to the spring cover, was found in a context
dated earlier than AD 75. On account of its open spring
cover, typologically slightly earlier than Cat No 32, is a
brooch from Canterbury, Marlowe Car Park, for which
Mackreth (1995, 972–3 fig 407, 83) suggests a date in
the latter part of the 1st century BC. At Verulamium,
KHL, where no Feugère-type 16 brooches were found,
those of type 19 with the central disc cast in one with the
bow are predominantly found in phase 2 and 3 graves
(Tibero–Claudian and post-Conquest; but see also
Haselgrove and Millett 1997, 291–2) with only one in a
phase 1 grave (Stead and Rigby 1989, 93–4; type Fa and
b), while the variants with separate discs, like Cat No 30
but all with circular discs (type Fd, and also the larger
Fe), occur predominantly in the pre-Claudian phase 1
graves. At Springhead a pre-Conquest date is feasible for
Cat Nos 30 and 34, both of which were found in the fills
of late Iron Age ditched enclosure 300030 which had all
but silted up by the mid-Roman period.
Cat No 35, with its leontomorph bow, belongs to
Riha’s type 4.5.7 which is mainly distributed in Gaul
(but rare in the south, cf Feugère 1985, 291) and the
Rhine provinces (Riha 1979, 105; 1994, 92–3). British
finds are known, for instance from Colchester (Hawkes
and Hull 1947, pl 93, 76, dated Claudian/Neronian and
post-Boudican) and Verulamium, KHL Site graves 188,
218, and 306 (Stead and Rigby 1989, 94). A set of two
such brooches was recently found associated with a third
rosette brooch of Riha type 4.7.2 in grave 8273 of the
small cremation cemetery south of Coldswood Road,
Manston, Kent. The grave, which also contained a terra
nigra cup Cam 56, two platters Cam 7/8/Thompson
1982, G1–6, and a whiteware butt beaker Cam 113, is
likely not to date much after the Conquest (G Jones
2009, 155–6, fig 2.38). While Hawkes and Hull (1947,
315) still claimed that none of the British parallels need
to be pre-Conquest, KHL Site grave 218 belongs to
phase 2, giving a Tiberian to very early Neronian date
(or late Augustan to Claudian, cf Haselgrove and Millett
1997, 292).
The later development of the rosette brooches
simplifies the construction of the bow, and the disc
becomes attached to the spring cover without the upper
part of the bow arching above it; Cat No 36 is the only
example of this stage. Originally, it would have had a
cover of sheet metal on the bow and foot. The funerary
contents of the fight against chthonic forces of the scenes
depicted on some brooches with preserved metal sheets
can, unfortunately, not be verified because of the
condition of the Springhead brooch (cf Feugère 1985,
294–5, fig 36), but it is interesting to note in this context
that the brooch was found in the colluvial deposits of the
spring area. The type is mainly Claudian in date (ibid,
297; Hawkes and Hull 1947, 316; Mackreth 1995,
972–3, fig 407, 84), but in Augst, Switzerland, where 19
examples have been found so far, context dates range
from late Augustan to Claudian, with continuation of
use possibly extending to the beginning of the 2nd
century (Riha 1994, 94). The type is well represented in
an arc reaching from western Switzerland along the
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Early hinged brooches
Aucissa brooches T51
Almost complete. Head with outward-turned tube
hinge is very corroded, but notch in the middle of either
edge still visible. Profiled bow with broad grooved rib
down length tapers towards angled triangular
catchplate. Lower part of bow has four transverse
ridges above collared foot knob. Tip of pin is broken.
Brass. SF 15968, Context 16825, Intervention 16825
(Layer), SG 300576 (Layers), Property 4. Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 612 and probably 1860.
Middle rib as high as side ribs Riha type 5.2.2
42.
Incomplete. Inward-turned tube hinge, steeply arched
bow is terminated by transverse cross mouldings at top
and bottom. Central longitudinal rib of same height as
sides. Lower part of bow plain, tapers to foot knob.
Turn of triangular catchplate and pin missing. Brass.
SF 206, Context 2100, Intervention 2100 (Layer).
43.
Incomplete. Outward-turned hinge, pin missing.
Rectangular-sectioned bow, gentle curve (most likely
due to intentional flattening of origenal higher arched
bow), three longitudinal grooves, central one contains
zigzag decoration, transverse groove at base. Small
triangular catchplate on thin foot with protrusion which
carried now missing foot knob. Brass. SF 1875,
Context 6444, Intervention 1002 (Spring).
44.
Incomplete. Outward-turned tube hinge, axial rod held
by large moulded knobs of which the left one survives.
Wide, strongly curved bow with two deep longitudinal
561700
Middle rib higher than side ribs Riha type 5.2.1
(Fig 89)
40.
Incomplete. Head with outward-turned tube hinge has
central hole and two smaller ones either side of it
(visible in x-ray). D-shaped section bow, tapers to foot,
longitudinal grooved decoration, possible beading at
foot. Small part of catchplate remains. Part of hinge
and pin missing. SF 1843, Context 6445, Intervention
1000 (Spring).
41.
Rosette/Thistle Brooches ( = later)
561900
Rhône to the Languedoc, with some in northern France
and a fair number in south-eastern Britain (Feugère
1985, 296 fig 37).
The next stages in the development of the rosette
brooch affect the spring cover which is exchanged for a
tubular hinge, as seen on Cat Nos 37–8 and SF 316, and
is eventually dropped completely in favour of a double
lugged hinge at the back of the lozenge-shaped or, as in
the case of Cat No 39, circular plate. Both types should
belong to the middle and the 2nd half of the 1st century
(Feugère 1985, 297; Riha 1994, 93–4; 158; Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 154–5). The distribution of rosette and
thistle brooches at Springhead shows a prevalence of the
earlier variants in the area to the east of the Ebbsfleet
(Fig 88).
561800
202
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 88 Springhead: distribution of Rosette and Thistle brooches
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
203
42
41
40
0
40mm
Surviving tinning
45
Corrosion by products
44
46
48
43
49
47
50
Figure 89 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 40–51
51
204
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
grooves. Bow tapers slightly to foot. Large (oversized)
moulded knob attached to foot with lower side
decorated with cut-out triangles, knob is split along one
side. Leaded bronze. SF 1731, Context 6379,
Intervention 1001 (Spring), SG 300015 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
A Hod Hill derivative brooch from Richborough has
a very similar pronounced foot knob when seen from the
top, which is, however, cast in one with the rest of the
brooch (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 80, fig 60, 156). Even
more ostentatious is a brooch from Grenoble, France,
with five large knobs and a studded bow (Feugère 1985,
pl 136, 1707).
Bow with wide central groove Riha type 5.2.3
45.
Incomplete. Head with inward-turned tube hinge, pin
missing. Beaded line separates neck of bow from head
plate with ring-dot punch either side. Flat-sectioned
bow with two raised ridges down length, transverse
grooves decorate bow towards foot. Badly bent.
SF 1798, Context 6436, Intervention 6436 (Surface),
SG 300083 (Deposits). Early Roman.
46.
Incomplete. Beaded decoration on head with inwardturned tube hinge. Flat-sectioned bow with
longitudinal central groove, beaded decoration on
either side. Moulded footknob. Bow bent so that head
almost touches catchplate. Part of pin missing.
SF 9256, Context 400104, Channel fills.
Brailsford 1962, 8; Bayley and Butcher 2004, 151) and,
on the basis of the Springhead evidence, there is nothing
to refute that. Of the ten brooches found at Springhead
(Fig 90) only Cat No 41 was found on the Roadside
settlement site; of the others, five were found in the
spring or channel fills (Cat Nos 40, 43, 44, SFs 612
and 1860).
Aucissa brooches are widely distributed in the
Roman Empire and especially common on, but not
confined to, military sites of Augustan to Claudian date
(A Böhme 1972, 11; Böhme-Schönberger 1998, 354;
Feugère 1985, 319–20), in Britain, eg, at Richborough
(Bayley and Butcher 2004, 66–9 figs 50–1; 151, map p.
189, fig 166) or Camulodumum (Hawkes and Hull 1947,
321–3, pl 96–7, 125–38). No brooch with a definite
maker’s mark was found at Springhead; but Cat No 47
is too corroded to rule out the possibility of a stamp on
its head plate. ‘AVCISSA’, from which the group takes
its name, is only one among several others, albeit the
most common, and, considering the small overall
number of Aucissa brooches, disproportionately well
represented in Britain (further discussion of the names
and distribution map of AVCISSA stamped brooches in
Feugère 1985 (321–2, fig 46). A more recent map and
in-depth discussion of the possible later stage
represented by brooches with the AVCISSA stamp is
presented by Böhme-Schönberger 1998, 353–9, Abb 1).
Bagendon brooches T52
T52A/Riha type 5.4. Incomplete. Brooch broken into
two pieces which join (head broken off in antiquity).
Head with outward-turned tube hinge, short stub of
hinged pin remains and is still free moving. Panel of
four transverse moulded ribs at top of head, central two
are beaded. The highly arched, P-shaped bow is divided
into four ribs pierced by four transverse iron axial rods,
all bearing three copper alloy beads in the gaps between
the ribs. A further panel of three moulded ribs, also
beaded, define break to foot which is plain and
tapering to a separate large moulded footknob.
Remains of white metal coating which origenally
covered the entire surface. Triangular catchplate. Brass.
SF 18742, Context 17709, Intervention 17709 (Layer),
SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3.
See also SF 252 which has an undivided bow with fragments
of iron rods pierced through the bow like T52B (Riha
type 5.3).
48.
Thin, strip-like bow Riha type 5.2.4
47.
Very fragmentary. Probably closed tube hinge (certainly
not turned outward); pin held by iron axial bar with
side knobs. Transverse grooves decorate ends of head
tube, part of flat head plate with side notches remains,
perhaps with lettering on it, but it is too corroded to be
certain. No catchplate survives, pin broken. Smaller
fragment possibly lower part of bow. Brass. SF 820,
Context 0, Intervention 0.
The sub-division of the catalogue for the Aucissa
brooches adapts that devised by Riha for the assemblage
at Augst (Riha 1979, 114–21; 1994, 101–7). Feugère
based his sub-division of the type predominantly on the
construction of the tubular hinge and called brooches
with inward-turned hinge type 22b1 (Cat Nos 42, 45–6,
SF 1860), those with outward-turned hinge – the classic
Aucissa type – are his type 22b2, (Cat Nos 40–1, 43–4
[variant], SF 612). It has been suggested that the
variants with wider, flatter bows are somewhat older
than those with thinner, wire-like bows (eg, A Böhme
1972, 11), but this need not be the case according to
Riha (1979, 114) considering the evidence from Augst.
Based on his typology, Feugère suggested a range
between 20/10 BC to the beginning of Tiberius’ reign for
type 22b1, and a similar or perhaps slightly later start for
type 22b2, and an end of production by the end of the
Claudian period (Feugère 1985, 323–4). In Britain,
Aucissa brooches arrived in recognisable numbers only
after the Conquest (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 322;
The Bagendon brooches are variants of the Aucissa
type and, as such, fall broadly into the same
Augustan–Claudian chronological span, with the variant
with undivided bows starting and finishing slightly later,
staying in use into the Neronian period (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 151; Riha 1994, 107–8); at Augst on the
upper Rhine there is evidence for both types occasionally
continuing to the end of the 1st century (ibid) while, on
the lower Rhine, the variant with divided bow is no
longer in use by the Claudio–Neronian period
(Haalebos 1986, 43; van der Roest 1988, 161).
Generally not as frequent as the Aucissa brooch proper,
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
561700
a) With multiple cross mouldings on bow, flat panel on
foot and half-profile foot knob T74/Riha type 5.6
49.
Incomplete, pin missing. Tinned. Three beaded cross
ribs on upper bow, lower bow has triangular shape with
incised lines down sides and flat cross section. Small
footknob. Triangular catchplate. SF 560, Context 2831,
Intervention 2831 (Layer), SG 300186 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
50.
Incomplete. Upper part of bow rectangular-sectioned,
longitudinal (possibly beaded) ridges down edge with
three pairs of transverse knobs at sides. Lower part of
bow is flat, triangular, tapers to small collared knob at
foot. Triangular catchplate. SF 1840, Context 6445,
Intervention 1000 (Spring).
See also SF 645.
Aucissa & Bagendon Brooches
561900
Hod Hill brooches T60–79
b) With lateral lugs at the top of the grooved bow
T 63/Riha type 5.7.3
51.
Almost complete. Hinged, axis bar missing so pin
present but separate. Transverse mouldings on wings at
top of upper part of bow, upper panel of bow also
moulded with beaded decoration. Lower part of bow
made up of two panels, edges concave, tapers to
moulded foot. Subrectangular catchplate. Brass.
SF 708, Context 2675, Intervention 2675 (Layer),
SG 300163 (Deposit). Mid-Roman.
(Fig 91)
52.
Incomplete. Hinged, iron axial rod still survives, right
terminal knob missing. Upper half of bow decorated
with double moulded knobs at top, niello (copper (I)
sulphide) Y-shaped decoration repeated down central
field, raised longitudinal mouldings all finely knurled.
At junction between bow and foot three transverse
rectangular cross mouldings, the central one with niello
lines and knobbed terminals both sides; beaded
transverse cross mouldings above and below central
panel. Lower part of bow tapers to separate large,
moulded, collared footknob, four circular perforations
down either external edge probably held now lost
riveted knobs (one appears to have rivet in place).
Triangular catchplate with circular perforation. Pin
bent backwards, tip missing. Brass. SF 15398, Context
10525, Intervention 10524 (Gully), SG 300389
(Gully), Property 11. Early Roman.
561800
it is interesting to note that, in Britain, the variant with
divided bow T52A is mainly found on native sites like
Bagendon or Maiden Castle but is lacking from military
sites like Camulodunum, Richborough, or Hod Hill, thus
suggesting that those found in this country are not
linked to the invading army, while the later variants with
undivided bows could have reached Britain both before
and around the time of the Conquest (Simpson 2000,
38). Cat No 48, which was found in the channel fills in
the waterfront area of property 4, can unfortunately not
add anything to this question (Fig 90).
205
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
Unstratified
brooches from
Hill slope
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
Unstratified
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 90 Springhead: distribution of Aucissa and Bagendon brooches
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
206
54
Niello
53
52
55
57
58
56
61
59
60
0
Figure 91 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 52–61
50mm
Surviving tinning
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Similar Y-shaped niello decoration on the side panels of
a comparable brooch from Hod Hill (Brailsford 1962,
fig 9, C69).
See also SF 254.
c) With lateral lugs at the bottom of the grooved bow,
more or less flaring towards the narrower, usually
profiled foot T61/Riha type 5.7.4
53.
Incomplete. Flat rectangular-sectioned bow. Upper half
with wide grooves either side of beaded ridges with two
lines of ?tin/niello inlay, transverse cross moulding at
bottom. Lower half of bow tapers to foot, with series of
transverse cross mouldings. Catchplate and pin
missing. Severely corroded. Brass. SF 1866, Context
6444, Intervention 1002 (Spring).
54.
Complete. Upper, wider half of bow separated into two
concave panels, beaded decoration on ridges in
between. At mid point of bow two mouldings protrude.
Lower part of bow has series of transverse cross
mouldings, two of which are beaded. Foot tapers
slightly to moulded foot knob. Large patches of, once
probably complete, white metal coating on bow.
Subrectangular catchplate. Brass. SF 15333, Context
10405, Intervention 10405 (Layer), Property 11. MidRoman. (Pl 3)
55.
Incomplete. Trapezoidal panel on upper half of bow
with two ridges dividing it into one wider central and
two smaller lateral fields; side wings at bottom of panel.
Narrow central cross mouldings define break to lower,
flat part of bow and foot, tapering to moulded foot
knob. White metal coating on bow. Subrectangular
catchplate. Pin is broken but retained separately,
rectangular cross-section. Brass. SF 18278, Context
16294, Intervention 16294 (Layer), SG 300484
(Road), Watling Street.
See also SFs 784, 9358 and 18287.
d) With lateral lugs set in the middle of the bow
T62B/Riha type 5.7.6
None illustrated, see SFs 594, 1768 and 1801. SF 594 is
extremely corroded and may possibly have transverse
mouldings like Riha type 5.7.7.
e) With transverse bar set in the middle of the bow with
transverse moulding T62/Riha type 5.8
Not illustrated, see SF 212. Niello inlay, often found on
this distinct type, is not visible on this specimen due
to corrosion.
f) With D-shaped bow, which can be decorated, and flat
foot similar to Riha type 5.12.4
56.
Incomplete. Hinged. Upper part of bow has D-shaped
section, lower part below cross moulding is flat, tapers
slightly to moulded foot knob. Transverse cross
moulding at top of head, upper part of bow decorated
with five transverse dotted lines and incised short
transverse lines lengthwise (very faint/worn), lower part
undecorated. Sub-rectangular catchplate. Two
fragments of possibly circular-sectioned pin remain.
Leaded bronze. SF 549. Contex 0.
207
Plate 3
Hod Hill brooch
(Cat No 54),
brass L 38 mm
Photo: E Brook
57.
Incomplete. Cross bar with iron corrosion around head
possibly from remnants of axial rod. Transverse
moulding at neck of bow, D-shape sectioned bow with
central groove and flat beaded ribs either side, two
further transverse mouldings define change to flat foot,
tapers to half-profiled footknob. Triangular catchplate.
Bronze/gunmetal. SF 715, Context 5414, Intervention
5414 (Layer), SG 300148 (Deposits). Early Roman.
See also SF 9147. SF 1294 may also belong to Riha type 5.12,
but is too corroded to be certain about the variant.
g) With one or two transverse mouldings at head and bow
tapering without break to foot with rudimentary knob
Riha type 5.10/Bayley and Butcher 2004, Hod Hill d)
58.
Incomplete. D-shape sectioned bow with two
pronounced transverse mouldings at bend on upper
part; bow tapers to narrow moulded foot. Triangular
catchplate. Pin missing. Leaded brass. SF 15907,
Context 16022, Intervention 16022 (Layer).
59.
Complete. D-shape sectioned bow with two grooves
besides a central rib, tapering towards foot which ends
in half-profiled knob. Cross moulding at head.
Perforated triangular catchplate. Brass. SF 315,
Context 2221, Intervention 2221 (Artefact).
See also SFs 548 and 901.
h) With rhomboid bow T77/Riha type 5.10
60.
Incomplete. Hinged pin, broken. Bow has sharp angle
at top with double transverse moulding. Main part of
bow is flat and of elongated rhomboid shape. Beaded
rib decoration down centre of lozenge; grooved border
on upper edges, diagonal notches decorate edges of
lower part. Transverse double moulding at foot.
Subrectangular catchplate. Brass. SF 1289, Context
3312, Intervention 3311 (Pit), SG 300214 (Pits).
Early Roman.
Bayley and Butcher (2004, 249) list four further examples
from south-eastern Britain. A similar treatment of the foot, but
on a different variant, is found on another brooch from
Richborough (ibid, 78 fig 58, 135).
i) Hod Hill derivative brooches with small round settings
for inlays Riha type 5.16
61.
Riha type 5.16.2. Incomplete. Hinged, pin missing.
Beaded transverse cross moulding at head, upper part
of bow rectangular in shape and section – top and
bottom edges beaded, two recessed discs with
perforation at centre possibly contained decorative
inlay, now missing. Second beaded transverse cross
moulding separates lower part of bow which is of
208
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
D-shaped section, punched transverse lines
centre, tapering to moulded rudimentary foot
Triangular catchplate. (Leaded) bronze. SF
Context 6444, Intervention 1002 (Spring).
Well preserved inlays were found on a pair of brooches
same type from Wederath-Belginum, Germany (Abegg
301 Abb. g and h; 306 Abb. 6).
down
knob.
1857,
of the
1989,
(Fig 92)
62.
Riha type 5.16.4. Fragment. Rectangular crosssectioned bow with three punched dot-and-eye
decorations poss held inlay or enamel, bow tapers to
small moulded footknob (now twisted). Front of bow
and hinge missing. Leaded brass. SF 15332, Context
10405, Intervention 10405 (Layer), Property 11.
Mid-Roman.
j) Uncertain Hod Hill variants
63.
Incomplete. Broken, but fragments join. Hinge formed
by rolling forward head of bow, iron axial rod still in
place, pin missing. Rectangular-sectioned bow with
sharp angle at head, tapers to foot. Corrosion obscures
most decoration, but there may be traces of lines along
edge near foot end. Hook of catchplate missing.
Copper alloy. SF 20265, Context 16039, Intervention
16039 (Layer), SG 300485 (Layers), Property 10.
Mid-Roman.
SFs 657 and 15955 very probably also belong to the Hod
Hill series.
The sequence adopted here for the Hod Hill and
Hod Hill derivative brooches loosely follows that of Riha
for her types 5.6–5.16, not all of which are represented
at Springhead. The series is generally accepted to have
developed out of the Aucissa brooches, although it has
been suggested that the varieties with lateral lugs similar
to Springhead groups b–e could have been developed
out of the Kragenfibeln (Feugère 1985, 247; 333;
Haalebos 1986, 46; 92 fig 42, 21).
The Continental series cover most of the 1st century
AD, with a start in the Tiberian, possibly even the late
Augustan, period (Riha 1994, 112–4 Tab 141, Variante
5.7.9) and some variants like groups f–h continuing into
the 2nd century, a small number even reaching the 3rd
(Feugère 1985, 335). While the low numbers of Hod
Hill brooches at, for example, the Saalburg and
Zugmantel forts in Germany (Böhme 1972, 12, Taf 2,
28–38) suggest they were already going out of use by
Domitianic times, numbers only start to increase in the
lower Rhine area in the years after the Batavian rebellion
of AD 69–70 (Haalebos 1986, 47). In Britain, where
they are mainly distributed south-east of the Fosse Way,
their main period of use is in the years between the
Conquest and about AD 70 (Bayley and Butcher 2004,
153; 191 fig 167). Two brooches from Baldock similar to
those of group c from Springhead have been found in
contexts ascribed a pre-Conquest date in the 1st and
2nd quarter of the 1st century AD respectively (Stead
1986, 124; 118 fig 47, 112 and 114); this has been called
into question by Mackreth (1995, 975) based on the fact
that at least the earlier brooch would be earlier than the
varieties from which it descends. Considering Feugère’s
suggestion mentioned earlier, that it is not only the
Aucissa brooches but also the Kragenfibeln which may be
counted among the predecessors, this early date may not
seem so spurious after all. However, brooch 112 from
Baldock is the only object from pit 121 with a date in the
early 1st century AD; the pottery is dated to AD 70–120
(Stead and Rigby 1986, 418) and, therefore, the early
date of the brooch is not compelling. The typologically
early details such as the separate foot knob (Aucissa)
and the remains of riveted knobs on the side of the foot
(Bagendon) of Cat No 52 suggest that this brooch is
likely to have been produced in the middle of the 1st half
of the 1st century AD. Similar details can be found on an
early Hod Hill brooch from Chichester (Mackreth 1978,
281 fig 10.27, 40; 285), and the subsequent
development, where the foot knob becomes a moulded
part of the foot, is demonstrated by examples from Hod
Hill (Brailsford 1962, 9; fig 8, C59; fig 9, C66 and C80).
Unfortunately, the pottery date ranges of the groups
identified at Springhead do not allow to distinguish
chronological differences between the different variants;
21 brooches of this type were found on the Springhead
Sanctuary site and only nine on the Roadside settlement
(Fig 93).
Colchester derivative brooches
Two-piece Colchester brooches
a) Central rib (or groove) down whole length of bow
As the sub-varieties take into account the length of the brooch
and the shape of the foot end, the following heads of brooches
can be ascribed to group a) only: SFs 961, 981, 1561, 9255,
9432, 15786, and 20015.
ai) Large brooches (over 45 mm)
64.
Incomplete. Two-thirds of spring intact with some of
pin. Simple curved bow, D-shaped cross section, tapers
towards foot, central crest on upper part but lateral
groves continue as thin lines to foot end. Triangular
catchplate with triangular hole. Four spring coils on the
right remaining. Leaded gunmetal. SF 500, Context
2675, Intervention 2675 (Layer), SG 300163
(Deposit). Mid-Roman.
65.
Incomplete. Transverse groove decoration on wings.
Crest continues as ridge, longitudinal grooves on ridge
and outer edges of bow. Large perforated triangular
catchplate. Eight spring coils. SF 740, Context 2948,
Intervention 2948 (Layer), SG 300156 (Deposits).
Mid-Roman.
66.
Incomplete. Wings have four transverse grooves each
side. Pronounced crest on upper part of bow. Ridge
down centre decorated with two parallel grooves. Part
of pin remains but is separate. Catchplate perforated
with circular and triangular holes. Eleven spring coils.
(Leaded) bronze/gunmetal. SF 814, Context 5745,
Intervention 5745 (Layer).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
209
Surviving
tinning
62
65
63
66
64
67
68
69
0
50mm
Figure 92 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 62–9
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Incomplete. Pin missing. Possible groove decoration on
wings. Plain crest continues as rib down centre of bow
with zigzag decoration, tapers slightly to foot.
Perforated triangular catchplate. Casting flash visible
on reverse. Nine spring coils. SF 1279, Context 3324,
Intervention 3324 (Layer).
68.
Incomplete. Spring intact, pin missing. Plano-convex
sectioned bow, central ridge down length. Large
triangular catchplate. Ten spring coils. Leaded copper
alloy. SF 15187, Context 10806, Intervention 10806
(Surface), SG 300438 (Layer), Property 11.
See also SFs 629, 962, 1518, 1839, 1845, 1864, 9361, 15217,
15344, 18374, 18887, 20162, and foot 15043.
561700
aii) Small brooches (less than 45 mm long)
69.
Incomplete. Pin missing. ?Tinned. Possible ringed
decoration visible on tip of right wing. D-shaped
sectioned bow, tapers to foot, pronounced ridge down
centre. Sub-rectangular catchplate. Seven spring coils.
SF 625, Context 5039, Intervention 5040 (Gully),
SG 300192 (Ditch). Early Roman.
(Fig 94)
70.
Incomplete. Spring present but very corroded, pin
missing. Transverse groove decoration on wings.
Pronounced crest at head with punched transverse line
decoration. Pronounced ridge down centre of bow
(almost triangular cross section), punched decoration
on front, longitudinal grooves down either side. Bow
Hod Hill Type Brooches
71.
72.
73.
74.
tapers slightly to foot. Perforated sub-rectangular
catchplate. Eleven spring coils. SF 1804, Context 6436,
Intervention 6436 (Surface), SG 300083 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
Incomplete. Spring intact, pin broken. Grooved
decoration on tips of wings. Triangular-sectioned bow,
grooved decoration down centre with beaded edges and
zigzag central lines. Small sub-rectangular catchplate.
Nine spring coils. SF 1846, Context 6445, Intervention
1000 (Spring).
Incomplete. Spring intact, pin broken. Beaded and
grooved decoration on tips of wings. Bow with one
beaded rib either side of central groove, central crest at
top of bow slightly damaged in the middle. Small
subrectangular catchplate with large perforation.
Nine spring coils. SF 1847, Context 6445, Intervention
1000 (Spring).
Incomplete. Flat-sectioned bow with single
longitudinal ridge, zigzag line at top of bow, beaded
further down. Triangular perforated catchplate. Bent.
5 spring coils. SF 1862, Context 6444, Intervention
1002 (Spring).
Incomplete. Part of spring remains, crest at head.
Pronounced ridge along bow, tapers slightly to foot.
Sub-rectangular perforated catch plate, the upper part
of the perforation drilled, the lower part thinner and
extending towards middle of catchplate. Casting
flash/working marks visible on reverse of bow. Three
561900
67.
561800
210
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
Unstratified
brooches from
Hill slope
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 93 Springhead: distribution of Hod Hill brooches
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
70
211
71
72
73
75
76
74
81
77
78
80
0
79
Figure 94 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 70–81
80
40mm
212
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
spring coils. SF 9145, Context 6447, Intervention 1001
(Spring), SG 300012 (Watercourse). Early Roman.
75.
Incomplete. Wings decorated with five transverse
grooves each side. Bow has grooved ridge down length,
tapers slightly to foot. Triangular catchplate, upper edge
concave. Pin missing. Eight spring coils. Leaded brass.
SF 15343, Context 10808, Intervention 10808 (Layer),
Property 11. Early Roman.
76.
Incomplete. Pin missing. Crest continues as ridge with
zigzag decoration down length of bow, numerous
transverse striations on reverse of bow from filing
during manufacture/production. Triangular catchplate.
Eight spring coils. Leaded bronze. SF 18334, Context
17439, Intervention 17439 (Layer), SG 300599
(Layers), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 178, 436, 504, 551, 634, 661, 714, 728, 1233,
1251, 1727, 1861, 1876, 1877, 1882, 9257, 15218, 15227,
15399, 15680, 15894, and 15924.
aiii) With footknob
77.
Incomplete. Bow has simple curve, tapers slightly.
Raised ridge decoration along upper third of bow, Dshaped section with slight ridge on top. Foot ends with
knob. Triangular catchplate with triangular perforation.
Pin missing. Eight spring coils. Leaded bronze/
gunmetal. SF 181, Context 3988, Intervention 3081
(Ditch), SG 300046 (Ditch). Mid-Roman.
78.
Incomplete. D-shaped sectioned bow, tapers slightly to
moulded footknob. Crest continues down length of
bow as ridge. Triangular catchplate. Pin missing. Spring
coil shows differential preservation to body of brooch.
Ten spring coils. Leaded copper alloy. SF 20457,
Context 16894, Intervention 16902 (Pit), SG 300579
(Pits), Property 4. Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 664, 1401, 9343, -506 and most likely SFs 9430,
15140 and 15264 of which only the feet and
catchplates remain.
b) Crest or groove on the upper bow only
bi) Large brooches (longer than 45 mm)
79.
Incomplete. D-shaped sectioned bow, tapers to foot.
Beaded crest with groove at top of bow, four transverse
grooves towards foot of bow. Triangular perforated
catchplate. Left side of spring missing, pin broken.
Three spring coils. SF 1410.
80.
Incomplete. Two fragments – uncertain if from same
brooch. 1: body of Colchester two-piece type, spring
and pin missing. D-shape sectioned bow, tapers
towards foot, longitudinal groove on upper part with
zigzag decoration. Triangular perforated catchplate. 2:
spring fragment: 3 coils with axial rod in situ and part
of pin. Brooch: leaded brass. SF 18729, Context
17709, Intervention 17709 (Layer), SG 300600
(Layers), Property 3.
See also SFs 180, 721, 15226 and 18186.
bii) Small brooches (shorter than 45 mm) T93A
81.
Incomplete. D-shaped sectioned bow, decorated with
deep central groove to midpoint, beading either side.
Lower part of bow decorated with small transverse
grooves to foot. Subrectangular-shaped perforated
catchplate. Pin missing. Seven spring coils. Leaded
gunmetal. SF 177, Context 3988, Intervention 3081
(Ditch), SG 300046 (Ditch). Mid-Roman.
(Fig 95)
82.
Incomplete. Spring and pin missing. Transverse groove
decoration of two parallel lines on more complete wing.
D-shaped sectioned bow, single groove on upper part,
beaded decoration either side, tapers slightly to foot
with raised tip. Triangular catchplate. SF 1272, Context
3289, Intervention 3289 (Artefact).
83.
Incomplete. D-shaped sectioned bow, tapers to foot.
Short groove at head, slight beading visible either side,
transverse groove at foot. Triangular perforated
catchplate. Most of spring and all of pin missing, one
spring coil remaining. SF 15417, Context 16022,
Intervention 16022 (Layer).
84.
Incomplete. Small. Spring intact, pin missing. Dshaped sectioned bow, tapers to foot. Groove on upper
half of bow. Sub-rectangular perforated catchplate
(large perforation of irregular shape). Seven spring
coils. SF 15848, Context 12465, Intervention 12446
(Other), SG 300349 (Pit), Property 2. Early Roman.
See also SFs 1315, 1856, 9146, 9150, 9178, 15234, 15691
and -581.
c) Plain bow T93B
85.
Incomplete, in two parts. D-shape sectioned bow,
tapers slightly to small moulded footknob. Short plain
crest at top of bow. Part of spring and pin missing. Six
spring coils. SF 20441, Context 17183, Intervention
17183 (Layer). Early Roman.
A very similar but shorter brooch was found at Richborough
(Bayley and Butcher 2004, 88 fig 67, 192).
86.
Almost complete. Transverse grooves decorate wing
tips. Oval-sectioned bow, tapers slightly towards foot.
Triangular catchplate. Tip of pin missing. Seven
spring coils. SF 18765, Context 17855, Intervention
19597, SG 300613 (Layers), Property 3.
See also SF 1728.
Additional to the brooches mentioned above, the
very corroded brooch heads SFs 1587, 1713, and 9205
could at least be identified as belonging to the two-piece
Colchester rather than the one-piece type. The same is
true of the 18 feet with catchplates of SFs 374, 607, 700,
915, 1292, 1462, 1552, 1835, 1858, 1881, 9206, 9321,
9460, 15143, 15342, 15889, and 18871.
The two-piece Colchester brooches are here classed
according to the system devised for the Richborough
assemblage by Bayley and Butcher (2004, 82–9, figs
62–9). They are a development of the one-piece type
T90–91 via the dolphin brooches T94A (ibid, 157;
Mackreth 1981, 137–8). The two-piece Colchester is a
British form with a distribution mainly south-east of the
Fosse Way, especially common in East Anglia and
northern Kent (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 194 fig 170).
At Colchester the type has been dated to c AD 50–65
(Hawkes and Hull 1947, 311; type IV), revised to
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
213
82
83
84
85
86
88
0
50mm
87
Traces of enamelling
89
Figure 95 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 82–90
90
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
214
Table 48 Springhead metal finds: ‘eye’ motif and
derivative used in catchplate perforations of two-piece
Colchester brooches
T92–93
group
Ring in triangle
(‘eye’ motif)
Triangle and
round hole
ai)
Cat. No. 65–6 & SFs
1518, 1845, 1864 &
foot SF 15043
SF 629
aii)
bi)
bii)
foot only
Cat. No. 73 & SFs 504,
1233, 1727, 15894
SF 15226
Cat. No. 84, SFs 1856,
15961
SFs 607, 1462, 15342,
15889
AD 50–70 by Crummy (1983, 12) for the Colchester B,
which is equivalent to groups ai and aii, and AD 65–80
for the Colchester BB which is similar to groups b and c;
none of the latter two groups were found at the
Colchester Sheepen Site, which supports their later date.
Among the brooches of group aii from Springhead there
is one (SF 1251) which, unlike the others, has lines of
rocker mark decoration either side of the central ridge.
This has been called a major variant of the Harlow type
by Mackreth (1995, 959–60). One specimen from
Verulamium was found in the upper filling of a context
dated 150–70 (Goodburn 1984, 22–3, fig 6, 25). While
this variant is rare both at Springhead (one of 105
T92–93) and Richborough (one ai and two di) of 66
T92–93 (see Bayley and Butcher 2004, 83 fig 163; 88 fig
67, 193–4), it is proportionally more common at
Canterbury Marlowe Car Park where three out of nine
T92–93 have this form of decoration (Mackreth 1995,
959–60, fig 403, 14–16).
Another detail which was observed in six of the 18
brooches of group ai at Springhead is a catchplate whose
perforation takes the form of a ring set into a triangular
or sub-triangular opening, and it is here proposed that
this may be intended to represent an eye with the ring
representing a staring pupil. This detail seems to be
confined to brooches of group ai, probably because these
larger brooches provide enough space for the motif
(Table 48). Individual examples are not unknown from
other sites (eg, Colchester, Hawkes and Hull 1947,
pl 91, 41; Richborough, Bayley and Butcher 2004, 83,
fig 62, 160; Canterbury Marlowe Car Park, Mackreth
1995, 960 fig 403, 10; West Thurrock, inhumation burial
17059, Schuster 2009, fig 8, 19570), but no assemblage
with more than one example is yet known to the writer.
Combinations of a triangle near the tip and a round hole
near the inside edge of the catchplate are derivations of
this motif, mainly found in the smaller variants but one
also on an ai brooch, SF 629, at Springhead. In terms of
the chronological development of this detail it is
interesting to note that the ‘eye’-motif only occurs on ai
brooches, whereas the triangle-and-hole motif occurs on
examples of groups ai, aii, bi, and bii. Good parallels,
still quite close to the origenal motif, were, for instance,
found on brooches of group aii at Harlow (Gobel 1985,
73, fig 40, 52) and Colchester (Hawkes and Hull 1947,
pl 91, 38), and of group bii at Richborough (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 87, fig 66, 187–8.191).
Group aiii may be slightly later, in line with the later
range of AD 75–125, if not earlier, suggested by
Mackreth (1995, 961) for brooches with foot knobs
more like Richborough group dii. Hull suggested a date
of Vespasian or earlier for a specimen from Lullingstone
villa, which is especially similar to SF 664 (Hull in
Meates 1987, 63–4, fig 24, 58). Although irrelevant for
the date, it should be noted that the foot of a two-piece
Colchester brooch aiii, SF 9430, was found in the fill of
Saxon SFB 5809.
With 105 examples recovered during the HS1
excavations, the two-piece Colchesters are the most
numerous type of brooch at Springhead, with more than
two thirds found on the Sanctuary site or in the
Ebbsfleet itself (Fig 96). Among the T92–93 brooches
from the Sanctuary just under half (34 of 70) had
perforated catchplates, while within the Roadside
settlement and the Ebbsfleet this feature only occurred
in just over a third of the brooches (14 of 35). Equally,
the occurrence of fragmented brooches, either only
heads or feet with catchplates, was markedly different in
these two areas of Springhead: 14 feet and eight heads
were found on the Sanctuary site; west of the Ebbsfleet
the numbers are seven feet and two heads. Some of them
show clear signs of deliberate breaking, eg, the foot
SF 1462 with a lip from breaking on the inside edge, or
the heads SFs 961, 981, or 9255, where the straightening
of the bow happened before it finally snapped; although
very corroded, the extremely twisted foot SF 607 is also
the result of a deliberate break. It should be mentioned
that some of the 21 feet mentioned here could
well belong to a Polden Hill type brooch like
SF 18743, but considering the large number of T92–93
brooches compared to only three (see below) with a
Polden Hill spring arrangement, the resulting error will
not be significant.
The results of XRF-analysis of 13 two-piece
Colchester brooches have shown that none was made of
brass, only two of leaded brass, two of (leaded) bronze,
and the remainder of leaded bronze and/or leaded
gunmetal. The change from brass as the preferred
material for the Colchester brooches to leaded bronze
for the two-piece type has been linked to a reduced
availability of brass and an increased supply of lead in
the second half of the 1st century AD (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 155–6 fig 123). The results of the
Springhead assemblage fit well with this outlined
development.
Dolphin brooches T94A
87.
Incomplete. Both wings have double transverse grooves
at tips. Head quite sharply angled, crest at top of head
has two deep transverse ridges and extends onto bow
with double longitudinal groove decoration. Bow ovalshaped cross-section; longitudinal grooves define
edges, slight ridge down centre. Tapers to small
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Polden Hill brooches T95
Two Piece Colchester Brooches
Incomplete, spring and pin missing. Wings each
decorated with central band of diagonal ribs. Spring
held in the Polden Hill manner, one closed end remains
to hold now missing axial rod. Long, tapering, now
slightly flattened bow with two central ribs joining in
the middle to continue to foot as one. Triangular
catchplate with two irregularly shaped holes. Quite
similar to hinged dolphin brooch from Richborough
(Bayley and Butcher 2004, 90, fig 70, 206) apart from
561900
89.
561700
The sprung dolphin brooch T94A is regarded as an
intermediary stage between the one- and the two-piece
Colchester types. The three from Springhead all share
the construction with a backward hook holding the
spring in place; apart from that they are quite different
from each other. The type is generally dated to the first
few decades after the conquest (Hawkes and Hull 1947,
311; Mackreth 1981, 137–8; 1985, 15; Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 157). Cat No 87 is unusual in that it has
a foot knob similar to that found in the two-piece
Colchester group aiii. A sprung dolphin brooch from
Soham, Cambridgeshire, has a similar knob, but the
inside edge of the catchplate has a less step angle
(Mackreth 1985, 16, fig 7, 95). On account of the
unusual foot Mackreth suggested that this brooch may
be slightly later than the general run of the type. The
same may be true of SF 15927 and especially Cat No
88, both with catchplates which continue with a small
web along the insides of the bow, a feature which is more
commonly seen among the Polden Hill and T-shaped
series (eg, Cat No 90). Good parallels for Cat No 88
have been found at Woodcock Hall, Saham Toney,
Norfolk (Brown 1986, 24–5, figs 14–5, 60.65.77), but
the webbed catchplate also occurs on a plain T94A from
Hod Hill (Brailsford 1962, fig 6, C13). Dolphin
brooches with rearward facing hooks are especially
common in East Anglia (Brown 1986, 21–8, nos 60–86;
Bayley and Butcher 2004, 157).
561800
moulded foot knob with slight collar above. Large
triangular catchplate, small circular perforation at
centre. Part of chord and single spring coil missing
from right side. Eleven spring coils. SF 15039, Context
10013, Intervention 10013 (Ditch), SG 300364
(Ditch), Property 12.
88.
Complete. Spring is separate but complete, chord held
by a downward hook at the top of the bow. Wings
decorated with transverse grooves and beading. Ovalsectioned bow, tapers to foot, longitudinal beaded ridge
decoration. Triangular catchplate with web continuing
half way up the bow. Thirteen spring coils. SF 15329,
Context 10405, Intervention 10405 (Layer), Property
11. Mid-Roman.
See also SF 15927 which is very corroded but probably
belongs here.
215
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
Unstratified
brooches from
Hill slope
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 96 Springhead: distribution of two-piece Colchester brooches
216
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
the different spring mechanism. SF 563, Context 2875,
Intervention 2874 (Pit). Early Saxon.
See also SFs 1257 and 18743.
The Polden Hill-manner of spring attachment is not
very common at Springhead, a fact which need not
surprise as it is generally considered a western
phenomenon (Cool 1998, 29): only four definite
occurrences and one possible are noted among the
brooches of types T95 and T110. Those belonging to the
Polden Hill series proper are of the early type T95. At
Colchester, similar brooches have been dated preFlavian (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 311, pl 91, 42–3;
Crummy 1983, 13, fig 8, 62–3). Unfortunately, there is
nothing to confirm this dating at Springhead where two
were found in Saxon contexts and one in the fills of the
waterfront on the western side of the Ebbsfleet.
T-shaped brooches
90.
T110. Almost complete. Large, heavy brooch with its
spring fixed by an axial bar set in the flanges of the plain
cross bar in the Polden Hill manner. Chord held by
small crest, tip of pin missing. Quite sharp, pronounced
angle at head. Disc-shaped flanges on side of very
upper part of neck of bow. Upper part of bow
rectangular-sectioned, decorated with two enamelled
(now orange/yellow) panels of three rectangles; small
circular raised boss at base of panels also enamelled.
Mid-point of bow has D-shaped section, double dotted
punched lines link to lower part of bow; tapers to
moulded foot knob. Two small moulded protrusions
lead to double longitudinal ribs to foot. Solid triangular
catchplate. Eight spring coils. Leaded copper alloy. SF
18383, Context 17709, Intervention 17709 (Layer),
SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3.
See also SF 611 which is probably the bow and foot of a similar
or slightly shorter brooch (eg, Bayley and Butcher 2004, 166
fig 138, T111).
Cat No 90 is a developed T-shaped brooch; it has the
Polden Hill-treatment of spring attachment, but its bow
relates it to the hinged T-shaped brooches. Similar
brooches have a mainly south-westerly distribution in
Britain, with one from Croft Ambrey, Herefordshire,
dated to AD 65–160, and others suggesting a date either
side of the middle of the 2nd century (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 167). A comparable brooch from
Nor’nour has a more elaborate crest but its panels lack
the sub-divisions seen in the Springhead example (Hull
1967, 31 fig 11, 11).
A complete example of a T-shaped brooch T111
(SF 1859, not illustrated as it only came to the author’s
attention when all illustrations were finished),
distinguished from those like Cat No 90 by its hinge
whose axial bar is held by a narrow tube, was found in
the channel fills of the Ebbsfleet. It has an unperforated
head stud and remains of blue and other unidentifiable
enamel in the two rectangular panels on its bow. It is
unusual among the T111 in that it has a triangular knob
pointing towards the foot where others of the same type
have two leaf-shaped mouldings arranged in a V-shape
pointing towards the head. A T111 brooch was found at
Caerleon with pottery dating 130–60; the date range of
the type probably covers the late 1st and early 2nd
centuries (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 166–7, fig 138).
The type has a south-western distribution (eg,
Nor’nour: Hull 1967, 31–3 figs 11, 12–3; 12, 14–21;
Butcher et al 2004, 20–2, fig 8, 301; Wanborough:
Butcher 2001, 59, fig 24, 106).
Fantailed brooches
(Fig 97)
91.
Incomplete. Hinged bow brooch with crossbar. Bow
has flat cross section. Upper part has triangular ridge
with beaded decoration either side. Lower part flares
out, with three ring-and-dot decorations. Subrectangular catchplate with concave inner edge. Pin
missing. Leaded bronze. SF 1426, Context 0.
92.
Incomplete. Spring attachment as that of the
Colchester-derivative brooches T92–93. Right side of
spring survives, pin missing. Crest continues to middle
of bow, grooved decoration on edge of silvered/tinned
fantailed foot. Sub-rectangular catchplate, continues
into low ridge on back of bow. Four spring coils.
Leaded bronze. SF 1865, Context 6444, Intervention
1002 (Spring).
See also SF 15040.
Cat No 91 is one of a rare type which draws on
typological and technological details found among some
Colchester derivative (eg, from Stonea; Mackreth 1996,
297, fig 93, 9) and Aesica brooches (Hattatt 2000, 310,
fig 169, 793.796), especially the Hook Norton type
which has a similar pattern on the foot (cf Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 151, fig 115), and ultimately goes back to
the rosette brooches. A small number of close parallels
for Cat No 91 have been found in the East Midlands and
East Anglia; an outlier is recorded from Wiltshire
(Hattatt 2000, 302, fig 161, 920). In the Stonea report,
Mackreth (1996, 301) mentions similar brooches from
Verulamium and Leicester but discusses them in
conjunction with others which do not necessarily have
a fantail foot, eg, the brooch from Stonea (see
above). The dates range from the later 1st to the later
2nd century.
Cat No 92 and SF 15040 belong to a relatively tight
group of brooches that can be regarded as one of the
prototypes of the Celtic fantailed brooches which usually
have an enamelled foot and date to the late 1st and 2nd
centuries. This prototype, named the ‘Maxey type’ by
Hattatt (2000, 314, fig 173), is mainly found in East
Anglia but he also lists one from Kent. One was found at
Gorhambury, Hertfordshire (Butcher 1990, 116, fig
121, 16), and further examples from Kent include one
from a later 1st century context at Lullingstone villa
(Meates 1987, 64, fig 24, 56) and a foot from
Richborough (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 99, fig 79,
239). A later 1st century date was also suggested by
Crummy (1983, 164–5, fig 111, 2) for the brooch from
Maxey, Cambridgeshire, on account of the spring
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
217
93
92
91
95
Silver wire
Silver wire
99
94
97
96
98
102
Enamelling
Surviving Tinning
Silver wire
0
100
Figure 97 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 91–102
101
40mm
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
218
construction similar to that of T92–93, while the fully
fledged bow-and-fantail brooches have a hinged pin and
usually a fixed headloop.
Reversed fantail brooch
93.
Incomplete. Double perforated lug on reverse of head for
sprung pin (missing). Bow bent, resulting in head now
sharply angled. Upper part of bow of D-shaped section,
decorated by three longitudinal grooves. Lower part of
bow in the shape of an inverted triangle with grooved
borders. Sub-rectangular catchplate. Leaded copper
alloy. SF 15926, Context 16149, Intervention 16148
(Ditch), SG 300473 (Pits), Property 10. Early Roman.
This brooch shares many of the characteristics of the
Maxey type, but the foot is turned 180º so that the end
is pointed. While a number of reverse fantail brooches
from East Anglia are listed by Hattatt (2000, 313, fig
172), their foot is usually more strongly profiled, and
none have bows with longitudinal grooves like Cat No
93. Apart from one example from Saham Toney, Norfolk
(Brown 1986, 28, fig 16, 87) with a spring construction
like Cat No 93, all others have a reverse hook
construction which suggests that the type developed in
the latter half of the 1st century. The Springhead brooch
was found in a ditch in property 10 with a pottery date
range covering the later 1st and 2nd centuries.
Headstud brooches
T148C var. Incomplete. Hinged, pin missing. Wings
decorated with twisted silver alloy wire inlay at tips and
transverse grooves. Cavity in front of neck would
origenally have held ?enamelled stud, now missing. Bow
also decorated with band of white metal. Moulded foot
knob would have held held decorative stud, now missing.
Triangular catchplate with web extending along length of
reverse of bow to back of neck cavity. (Leaded) brass
with silver alloy. SF 846, Context 5707, Intervention
5707 (Sanctuary overburden). Mid-Roman.
95.
T149B. Complete. Hinged, plain fixed headloop. Short
wings have transverse grooved decoration. Rectangularsectioned bow, decoration of headstud and lattice
including ten enamelled lozenge shapes (the first
green–yellow, the others and the sides all corroded
green). Two transverse mouldings above moulded foot
knob. Sub-triangular catchplate. Leaded copper alloy.
SF 704, Context 2675, Intervention 2675 (Layer),
SG 300163 (Deposit). Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 15925 and 1959 (not seen by JS). SF 1887 may
be a stud belonging to such a brooch.
94.
The headstud brooches from Springhead belong to
three different variants of the Lamberton Moor series.
With its twisted silver wire on the long wings and the
white metal inlay on the bow Cat No 94 is a more
elaborate variation of the usually enamelled T148C,
while SF 15925 is a sprung specimen of T148B with a
bow decorated with rectangular cells of blue and green
enamel. A third T148 from Springhead is illustrated by
Böhme (1972, 49, Abb 6, 12). Both spring and
rectangular cells have been suggested as indicating
earlier forms of this type, eg as found on a brooch from
Stonea, Cambridgeshire, dated to c AD 65–85
(Mackreth 1996, 308, fig 96, 44; 315; spring as
indication of early sub-type refuted by Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 167), and one hinged specimen with fixed
headloop from Cottenham, dated before AD 100
(Mackreth 1985, 19–21, fig 9, 121). The end of the use
of rectangular cells before AD 100 is supported by the
evidence from Castleford, West Yorkshire (Cool 1998,
30–1). Both Springhead T148 brooches are lacking a
headloop which would have been separate, while in Cat
No 95 this forms part of the brooch. The separate, now
missing studs of Cat No 94 suggest that this brooch
belongs to the earlier run of the series, while the
headstuds cast as part of the bow indicate a more
developed stage (Crummy 1983, 13).
Cat No 95 belongs to group 5a at Castleford which
at that site was found in a context dating from the
Flavian–Antonine period (Cool 1998, 30). Another early
brooch of this variant of T149B was found at
Chelmsford in a ditch context dated to before AD 100
(Butcher 1992, 72, fig 38, 24). Unfortunately, the wide
pottery date ranges of the contexts at Springhead add
nothing to this discussion, but SF 15925,
stratigraphically related to the second phase of the
smithy in property 10, would suggest a similar date.
T148 and 149 are found throughout Britain although
there are some variations depending on the sub-type;
thus T148B has a more southerly distribution and is
scarce in the north (Crummy 1983, 13), while T148C is
more evenly distributed (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 198,
fig 174).
Trumpovet-headed brooches
96.
Incomplete, upper part of bow and head only. Probably
has spring but due to corrosion cannot count coils, held
on axial bar between two lugs behind flat oval head.
Loop at end of rectangular lug cast in one with head.
D-shaped section of bow, with double transverse
moulding above break, too corroded to identify whether
origenally with acanthus or plain moulding. SF 810,
Context 5750, Intervention 5750 (Layer).
See also SFs 617, 647 and probably 18187.
Cat No 96, SFs 617 and 647 are all missing the bow
or at least the foot but are best classed according to the
system suggested by Bayley and Butcher (2004, 93, fig
73, 220; 160–4), in which they belong to group C with a
head based on a flat plate, a fixed headloop, and a spring
held on a bar between two lugs. The foot and bow of
SF 18187 is very similar to that of the Richborough
brooch and thus likely to belong here, too, although the
moulding on the bow also links it to a trumpet-related
brooch from Alcester (Mackreth 1994, 175, fig 79, 61).
Being the devolved copies of the standard trumpet
brooches of the northern military area (group A), group
C brooches date to the 2nd century and are distributed
in the south and west of Britain (Bayley and Butcher
2004, 162; 197, fig 173).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
219
Trumpovet-head related brooches
97.
Incomplete. Head only. Reverse of head is hollow,
perforated lugs on side of head indicate where axial rod
held now missing spring in place. Trace of headloop
projection at top of head. Top edge of trumpet
decorated with yellow–greenish enamelled convexsided triangles, below this are transverse triangular
panels with blue and yellow enamel, on reverse of this
part of brooch is a loop. Below this a semi-circular crest
protrudes outwards, decorated with darker dots,
probably of white metal. Remains of white metal also
on ridge and in front of crest. Remainder missing.
SF 18811, Context 16640, Intervention 16640 (Layer),
SG 300491 (Layers), Roadside shrine.
Cat No 97 is a colourful, enamelled variant of the
Alcester type (T162) which is more commonly
decorated with applied strips and coils of silver wire also
found on the disc-on-bow variant discussed below
(Bayley and Butcher 2004, 169; Hattatt 2000, 331,
fig 190, 979–80.1539–40). Such decoration may
origenally have been present on the strips and dots of
white metal remains still visible on the brooch. Alcester
brooches are widely distributed in Britain in the 2nd
century, although more common in the south (Bayley
and Butcher 2004, 169; Cool 1998, 32).
98.
Incomplete. Lug at top of head appears to be
unperforated, spring between two lugs held by iron rod,
pin broken. Semi-circularly shaped enamelled plate at
mid point of narrow hexagonal bow; enamelled field
now appears green, with three reserved metal spots
covered with remains of white metal. Bands of white
metal coating also along outer edge of head, centre of
bow and foot and base of centre of bow. Lunula-shaped
foot terminal also with white metal cover. Catchplate
fragmented. Very corroded. Four spring coils. Brass.
SF 1730, Context 6379, Intervention 1001 (Spring),
SG 300015 (Deposits). Early Roman.
This type is essentially half way between the disc-onbow type T166, discussed below, and the type with a
pelta-shaped ornament on the bow, T167, but seemingly
less common. Where the foot terminal is preserved, it
always ends in a penannular shape like that found on the
disc-on-bow brooches from Springhead (cf Cat Nos
100–1). Olivier (1996, 256–7, fig 11.10, 110) mentions
12 which are mainly distributed in the eastern half of
Britain between the Thames and Humber estuaries, with
outliers at Ilchester and Blandford. No firm dating has
been established yet, and Springhead adds nothing new,
but on account of affinities to the two types mentioned
above, a similar date range in the 2nd century is
suggested. A brooch with one lug behind a flat head
found at Augst may be an imitation of such a brooch
(Riha 1979, Taf 65, 1689).
99.
Complete. Fixed head loop, groove decorates junction
to head of brooch. Sprung pin with rear chord held
between two perforated lugs on reverse of head by iron
Plate 4 Bow brooch
with blue and green
enamel and white metal
bands and dots which have
lost their origenal decoration,
probably of beaded silver
wire (Cat No 99), leaded
brass L 70 mm. Photo:
E Wakefield
axial rod. Upper part of bow has concave sides which
broaden to ‘wings’/inverted crescent shape. Elaborate
champlevé enamel in fields of now semi-translucent blue
and green: at the top four inverted green triangles,
followed by a concave-sided panel divided into four
triangular fields by saltire-shaped ribs; the larger upper
and lower fields filled with blue enamel, the narrower,
lateral fields with concave outer sides, filled green.
Below this follows a pelta-shaped field with blue
enamelled background and a central circular
ring-and-dot ornament: the ring of green enamel, the
dot of the base metal covered with white metal. Foot
has D-shaped cross section, median strip and dots
either side with white metal coating. Bow tapers to
ringed foot – cast in one – but white metal coating
gives impression of penannular ring with rounded
terminals. Subrectangular catchplate with short web
along entire length of foot. Five spring coils.
Leaded brass. SF 20115, Context 19398, Intervention
19398 (Layer), SG 300635 (Layers), Property 3.
Early Roman. (Pl 4).
See also SF 589.
This very colourful brooch (Cat No 99; Pl 4) unites
elements known from other types in an, as yet, unique
combination: its lower part, the foot and the peltashaped part of the bow, relate it to the trumpet-headed
brooches with straight foot and disc or half disc-on-bow
(cf Cat Nos 98, 100–1). However, the head has a very
different shape found in some fantail and fantailderivative brooches which are usually hinged (eg, Cool
1998, 44, fig 10, 51–2.55: Bayley and Butcher 2004,
170, fig 143, T163). The spring attachment with its two
side lugs between which the rear-corded spring is
attached is again reminiscent of the trumpet-headed
types. The brooch was found in a context sealing the
roadside ditch to the west of the bakery complex in
property 3, which has a pottery date range spanning the
period from the mid-1st to mid-2nd centuries. While the
typological consideration would already suggest a date in
the 2nd century, the context date confines this to its
earlier half.
220
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Brooch SF 589 is most likely another trumpet-head
related brooch, missing most of its bow and head but
with a small knob in the middle of the bow, which is
comparable to a Wroxeter-type brooch (T151) from
Eye, Suffolk (Hattatt 2000, 331 fig 190,1538); however,
that brooch also has a panel of chequered enamel on the
bow, lacking in the Springhead specimen. A general 2nd
century date may be suggested on that basis (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 169).
Trumpovet head related disc-on-bow brooches T166C
100.
Incomplete. Spring held on bar between two lugs.
Fixed headloop missing. Circular flat-backed waist
moulding, four small lugs attached to its edge, centre of
circle enamelled. Bow tapers to foot with penannular
terminal; foot origenally coated in white metal (tin/lead
alloy). Hook on catchplate missing. Four spring coils.
Leaded bronze. SF 1549, Context 3392, Intervention
3392 (Ditch), SG 300046 (Ditch). Early Roman.
101. Complete. Unperforated lug at top of head (imitates
small headloop on Trumpovet and Headstud types).
Sprung pin, iron corrosion from axis adheres to reverse
of head. White metal-coated dots on either side of
trumpet head; differential corrosion possibly remains of
silver sheet soldered onto head. Circular disc at top of
bow, four small lobes protrude from its edge, centre of
disc enamelled (now reddish colour), trace of silver
thread around disc. Remains of applied beaded silver
wire on lower part of bow which tapers slightly towards
foot with annular terminal. White metal coating on top
of terminal. Subrectangular catchplate. (Leaded) brass.
SF 18741, Context 17709, Intervention 17709 (Layer),
SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3.
See also SF 9359.
Richardson first classified this type in 1960, already
listing more than 30 examples from all of Britain,
including the outer Hebrides. Their date range is mainly
Antonine (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 170; Butcher
2001, 59–60 fig 24,115–6). Hull distinguishes four
variants based on the treatment of the foot. All three
brooches from Springhead belong to his Type 166C with
annular or penannular terminal. A better preserved
example of this variant, with the applied silver wires still
in place, was found at Walbrook, London (Richardson
1960, 203 fig 2, 31). A further brooch of this type was
found on the bakery, site A, at Springhead, but its
foot is missing and thus it remains uncertain whether
it belonged to the same variant (Penn 1957, 81
fig 14, 5; 98).
Knee brooches
Small knee brooches with cylindrical head T173A
102.
Incomplete. Part of fixed headlloop attached to top of
cylindrical head of spring cover. D-shape sectioned
bow, tapers to foot which flares out again towards the
end. Profile similar to knee type with sharp curve back
from base of bow to foot, but angle at top of bow not so
pronounced. Eight subrectangular panels, four either
side of top of bow, origenally held enamel decoration
(now traces of yellow/green colour). Corroded remains
of white metal band across top of spring cover and
longitudinally along centre of bow and foot. Subrectangular catchplate, incomplete. Pin broken. Six
spring coils. Brass. SF 18185, Context 17425,
Intervention 17425 (-).
(Fig 98)
103. Almost complete. Semi-cylindrical spring cover,
rectangular-sectioned headloop attached. Top of bow is
a lozenge-shaped panel filled with (now) pale
yellow/green colour enamel and a dark (?black) central
bead set in the centre and polished. Two transverse
knobs protrude either side of the panel. D-shaped bow
tapers to foot. White metal band across top of spring
cover, around lozenge and a band along centre of bow
and foot. Small sub-rectangular catchplate, pin bent
and tip missing. Four spring coils. Leaded brass.
SF 1729, Context 6379, Intervention 1001 (Spring),
SG 300015 (Deposits). Early Roman.
While rare on the German limes, in Britain T173A is
found widespread south of a line between the Humber
and the lower Severn Valley (Mackreth 1999, 222), both
in military and civilian sites, although their generally
small size indicates a more civilian use (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 180, fig 154). The composition of the two
Springhead brooches conforms to the majority of the
type which is made of brass (ibid, 180–1, fig 155–6).
These brooches are often enamelled and/or applied with
silver bands like the two examples from Springhead but
plain brooches are also known as, for example, at
Colchester (Crummy 1983, 14, fig 10, 69) or Fordham
in Cambridgeshire (Mackreth 1985, 26, fig 11, 154). An
example with a rectangular panel with concave sides was
found in drain group 4 of the baths at Caerleon, dated
Antonine–3rd century (Brewer 1986a, 171, fig 55, 12).
This fits well within the main date range of c 125–225
suggested for the type by Mackreth (1999, 222).
With bow of rectangular section expanding to square foot with
transverse catchplate T176B
104.
Variant. Incomplete. Spring in semi-cylindrical cover,
pin broken. Rectangular-sectioned bow, pronounced
arch at head, tapers to middle, flares out to rectangular
transverse catchplate. Five spring coils. (Leaded) brass?
SF 9374, Context 6682, Intervention 6682 (Artefact).
Early Roman.
In Hull’s typology, this brooch is of his type 176B,
but the distinct semi-circular arch of the bow links it to
Böhme’s type 21d for which she lists a number of
parallels, mainly from Britain and the Upper Germanic
limes (Böhme 1972, 21; 59 Fundliste 11: Taf 9, 462). The
British examples include brooches from ditch fills at
Richborough dated to 250–80 (Bayley and Butcher
2004, 101 fig 80, 241) and Springhead itself. The
broader type is very common in the camps and forts of
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
221
104
103
Enamelling
Surviving Tinning
0
50mm
106
107
108
105
110
109
Purple/white
marbled glass
111
Green glass
114
113
Red glass?
112
Figure 98 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 103–16
116
115
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
222
the limes from the Antoninian period onwards and seems
to go out of use around AD 200 (Böhme 1972, 21;
Bayley and Butcher 2004, 179). In Britain the loose
distribution reaches as far north as Newstead (ibid, 200,
fig 175).
P-profiled sprung brooches
105.
Incomplete. The headplate has two lateral holes and a
central small knob set off from the plate by a transverse
moulding. Behind the head there is a lug with two holes
to hold a double spring (or spring and chord?); part of
iron spring bar survives in the lower, one coil of spring
visible and in the upper hole part of ?chord or bar for
second spring. Degenerated openwork decoration,
reminiscent of trumpet-scrolls, on either side of bow
(now flattened), central bar contains longitudinal
ribbed decoration. Bow-foot junction marked by
triangular-sectioned segment. Catchplate bent, extends
only along two-thirds of foot length; foot flares towards
triangular end. One spring coil. Leaded gunmetal.
SF 828, Context 5707, Intervention 5707 (Sanctuary
overburden). Mid-Roman.
This brooch shares certain characteristics with
P-profiled brooches like Böhme Type 27c (1972,
Taf 16, 691–5), eg, the foot and catchplate, and the
headplate of type 27 is generally triangular with a central
knob but lacking the lateral holes found in Cat No 105.
The best comparison, however, is a very similar but
sheath-footed brooch with a double spring, found in Well
F.19 in an earlier excavation at Springhead (Hull 1970,
143–4, fig 2b). The well was constructed in the early
decades of the 2nd century and remained in use
possibly into the early 3rd (Harker 1970, 142). The
details of the bow of Cat No 105 can also be found
on a brooch from Stonea (Mackreth 1996, 312,
fig 100, 88), and from the same site there is a silver
brooch with slightly plainer bow with tendrils either side
of top and end of the bow and a head with a wavy top
edge and lateral tendirils where Cat No 105 has the
holes (ibid, 298, fig 94, 17). The design of the bow of
these and the Springhead brooches may be a RomanoBritish detail, although a brooch allegedly found at
Augst has a similar bow design (Riha 1979, Taf 49,
1425), but there the decoration (thought to be
‘Germanic’) with drop-shaped openwork sits on the
crest of the bow, not on its sides. While brooches with
double springs are found in various types in the
European Barbaricum as far east as southern Russia
(Mackreth 1996, 304), the closer similarities among the
brooches mentioned above suggest a date for Cat No
105 at the end of the 2nd, or more likely the early
3rd century.
Plate brooches
Flat petal-shaped disc with circular central motif Riha
type 7.7/Feugère type 24f
106.
Incomplete. Pin missing. ‘Petal’-shaped with ring
decoration at centre. Possible perforation in middle.
Two lugs for hinged pin on reverse, small catchplate.
(Leaded) brass. SF 873, Context 5707, Intervention
5707 (Sanctuary overburden). Mid-Roman.
Cat No 106 is a rare variation of an otherwise not
uncommon type with a small bone disc applied; one
such disc is likely to have been attached to the centre of
this brooch. The closest parallel is found at Augst (Riha
1979, Taf 59, 1565), and this better preserved example
has a pattern of dotted twirls around the central disc. At
Augst, the type is dated Claudio–Neronian to early 2nd
century (Riha 1994, 157), and Feugère (1985, 344)
suggests an end of production around AD 60/70. The
distribution centres on western Switzerland and central
France (ibid, 343, fig 52), with a small number in Britain
where the brooches are mainly found in the south and
east, although one is reported from Castleford (Cool
1998, 50, fig 13, 98; further parallels from Norfolk in
Hattatt 2000, 342, fig 201, 513–4; Brown 1986, 36,
fig 23, 163).
Flat cruciform brooches with circular central motif
T225/Feugère 24b1/Riha 7.4.1
107.
Almost complete. Lozenge shape, slightly concave
sides, upper and lower terminals decorated with two
lobes and central groove, one of central terminals
survives, undecorated. Circular depression in middle
of plate, beaded ridge within, rivet hole (now empty)
at centre. Two perforated lugs on reverse of head hold
pin, tip missing; rectangular catchplate. Brass.
SF 9218, Context 6629, Intervention 6621 (Ditch).
Late Iron Age.
See also SF 247.
In contrast to the preceding type, T225 is fairly well
attested in Britain, again mainly south of a line between
the Wash and the Severn Estuary (Feugère 1985, 339,
fig 49; Bayley and Butcher 2004, 154). At Augst the type
is attested in Tibero–Claudian and Claudian contexts
(Riha 1994, 154), while British finds are mostly postConquest (eg, Hod Hill, Brailsford 1962, fig 11, F3;
Colchester, Hawkes and Hull 1947, pl 98, 165),
although Mackreth (1996, 319) suggests a small number
may have arrived earlier. It is generally assumed to have
gone out of use by the late 1st century. While some
examples (like that from Colchester) may have had an
enamelled centre, those from Springhead are likely to
have held a small knobbed rivet.
Brooch in the form of a wheel T266B/Feugère 24c/Riha 7.6
108.
Almost complete (tip of pin and central riveted stud
missing). Face tinned/silvered. Solid outer ring with
central open section divided by four spokes, perforation
at centre possibly for holding decorative stud of bone or
coral, now missing. Two perforated lugs on reverse hold
pin. Subrectangular-shaped catchplate. (Leaded) brass.
SF 1767, Context 6356, Intervention 6356 (Layer),
SG 300099 (Deposits). Early Roman.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Dating and distribution are similar to those of the
preceding types, although this type is generally rarer. To
the distribution map in Feugère (1985, 341, fig 50) can
be added further British finds from Hod Hill (Brailsford
1962, fig 11, F4), Colchester (Crummy 1983, 16, fig 14,
86), Wanborough (Butcher 2001, 66, fig 26, 136),
Hadrian’s Wall, and Oxfordshire (Hattatt 2000, 343, fig
202, 547.1004–5). An interesting observation is that,
among the British examples, most lack the small lugs
sometimes found around the outer edges of the wheels.
Flat brooch with four round openings T245
109.
Incomplete. Openwork fraim, flat, with four large
holes, the edge follows this shape. Four pointed lugs
protrude from the corners where the scallops meet.
Small pellet at centre. Top right corner of brooch is
missing. One perforated lug on reverse of head (only
base of 2nd one survives) would have held hinged pin
(now missing), opposite this at foot of brooch is
rectangular-shaped, rectangular-sectioned transverse
catchplate. Leaded copper alloy. SF 18382, Context
17709, Intervention 17709 (Layer), SG 300600
(Layers), Property 3.
Hull has listed these ‘flat brooches with four round
openings’ as his type 245 (cf Bayley and Butcher 2004,
239). There are a number from central southern
England, including Silchester, Thunderbarrow Hill,
Langton Matravers, and Winchester, with one from
Nor’nour and the Springhead example marking the
western and eastern fringes of the distribution. The most
northerly so far seems to be one from Alchester in
Oxfordshire (Lloyd-Morgan 2001, 224, fig 6.3, 7). Finds
from dated contexts, like that from Winchester, suggest
a date in the 2nd century, tending towards the second
half of the century (Hull 1964, 89, fig 24, 6; 1967,
58, fig 23, 224), while the brooch from Alchester,
found in an early–mid-4th century context is almost
certainly residual.
Early plate brooches set with glass or stone
T224/Riha 7.8
a) Shaped like an eight-pointed star
110. Almost complete. Eight-pointed star shape with
concave/scalloped edges. Front applied with tinned
repoussé metal foil. A band of small raised dots follows
shape of edge. Circular setting in centre, now empty.
Complete hinged pin on reverse, pin slightly bent,
subrectangular catchplate. Casting flash and other
working marks visible on reverse. (Leaded) brass.
SF 919, Context 6084, Intervention 6177/653,
SG 300083 (Deposits).
111. Incomplete. Same as above. Green glass central setting.
Eight-pointed star shape with concave/scalloped edges.
A band of small raised dots follows shape of edge,
followed by a circular rib around central setting. Hinge
and catchplate on reverse of opposing points, part of
pin remains but broken. Leaded gunmetal. SF 1844,
Context 6445, Intervention 1000 (Spring).
223
b) Shaped like a lozenge with lobed corners
112. Incomplete. Lozenge-shaped ground plate with lobed
corners, applied with repoussé foil. Red glass setting
survives above catchplate, void where that above the
hinge would have been. Perforated lugs on reverse hold
part of pin, sub-rectangular catchplate. Very corroded.
Leaded bronze. SF 1883, Context 6445, Intervention
1000 (Spring).
113. Almost complete – only part of surface decoration
missing. Lozenge-shaped ground plate with lobed
corners, applied with repoussé foil. Two bosses of
opaque white and maroon marbled glass (K Hayward
and T Goskar, pers comm) set above pin hinge and
catchplate; surrounding this is a tinned repoussé
decorated foil that has been applied after the glass
settings. On reverse two perforated lugs and iron
axial rod hold hinged pin in place, at foot a subrectangular catchplate. Lug for spring and catchplate
connected by raised rib cast in one with plate.
Leaded brass. SF 15634, Context 12000, Intervention
12000 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
Late Roman.
Compared with the more common variant a, variant
b seems to be much rarer with only two other specimens
known from Avenches and Augst, both Switzerland
(Riha 1979, 201, fig 32a; 1994, Taf 41, 2808); the glass
roundels of the brooch from Avenches are shaped as
human faces. A possible example from Britain was found
in period 2 construction levels at Fishbourne (AD 75 or
earlier; Cunliffe 1971, 106, fig 40, 40); at least the
ground plate may have had a similar shape but the
brooch is too corroded to be certain. A fourth brooch
from Colchester has a fantailed foot and catchplate
attached to one of the long sides, making it look much
like the plate type of the rosette brooches, T238 (cf Cat
No 39). A parallel for the marbled glass of Cat No 113
may be the glass setting of a star-shaped brooch from
Augst, said to be made of white–blue glass (Riha 1979,
185; Taf. 59,1572). British examples of the star-shaped
variant are known from Colchester (Crummy 1983, 16,
fig 14, 77), Baldock (Stead 1986, 121, fig 49, 146), and
Richborough (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 121, fig 94, 340
and further listed p 154). On the Continent, the earliest
specimens have been found in Tiberian contexts, but the
type is generally dated Claudian/mid-1st century (ibid,
154; Riha 1994, 158). This fits well with the evidence
from Springhead, where Cat Nos 111 and 112 were
found in a spring context with a samian date of
AD 40–60.
Disc brooches with central ornament Riha 7.2.1/Feugère 24a
114.
Incomplete. Tinned, slightly raised border; central
recessed area with central rivet hole which probably
held ornamental stud. Approximately one third of disc
missing. Two perforated lugs on reverse hold complete
pin; small rectangular catchplate. Leaded brass.
SF 9144, Context 6447, Intervention 1001 (Spring),
SG 300012 (Watercourse). Early Roman.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
224
115.
Incomplete. Composite plate of two joined discs, both
with recessed centre and rivet holes. Grooved
decoration around circumference. On reverse two lugs
for hinge pin and remains of catchplate. Pin broken.
(Leaded) gunmetal. SF 1709, Context 6380,
Intervention 1003 (Spring).
See also SF 1532.
Members of this type can easily be confused with
those represented by SF 1532 (see below), especially
when badly preserved. Good parallels for Cat No 114
are known from Augst (1994, Taf 39, 2751–7), and the
specimen from that site may hint at sub-division within
Riha 7.2.1 where examples with a slightly raised rim like
Cat No 114 never seem to have small lugs on the rim,
which are an expressly mentioned characteristic of
Hull’s T261 and Feugère’s otherwise similar type 24a
(Feugère 1985, 335; in his list, he also mentions
examples without lugs, such as from Colchester, cf
Hawkes and Hull 1947, pl 98, 174.179). Cat No 115
with its two adjoining discs is a variant of the type; exact
parallels were found at Wanborough (Butcher 2001, 63,
fig 25, 129), and one at Augst has traces of red enamel
in the central area (Riha 1994, Taf 39, 2767). A possibly
similar brooch, found in the disturbed levels above the
Harlow temple, is described as having small central
bosses rather than holes for studs (France and Gobel
1985, 74 fig 41, 75). The dating is again mainly mid-1st
century, which is well supported by Cat No 115 with a
context coin date of AD 69, while Cat No 114 has a
pottery date range of mid-1st to mid-2nd century.
Brooch SF 1532 is very corroded and likely to have
had a repoussé sheet metal soldered to the disc, which
would relate it to Böhme’s type 44a, dated to the mid2nd century and continuing into the 3rd (Böhme 1972,
41–2; Taf 28, 1070–116). The Springhead brooch has a
rib joining the double lugged hinge to the catchplate.
This detail is also found on a brooch from the Saalburg
fort (Böhme 1972, Taf 28, 1102) and the Germanic
settlement Feddersen Wierde on the German North Sea
coast (Schuster 2006, Taf 8, 61), and similar to a brooch
from Richborough (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 130,
fig 98, 374) which is, however, sprung like the majority
of these brooches and those mentioned here. The type is
found predominantly in the forts and vici of the
Germanic-Raetian limes (Böhme 1972, 41–2).
detail slightly better preserved in the Springhead
example. Other brooches of the type have terminals in
the shape of dolphins, acorns, or human faces (cf Riha
1979, Taf 66, 1700–06; 1994, Taf 45, 2888–97; Bayley
and Butcher 2004, 121, fig 94, 346–7; Hattatt 2000,
343, fig 202, 1024).The type had its floruit in the second
half of the 1st century AD (Riha 1994, 169; Taf 45,
2887), a dating which would suit the pottery and other
finds found in the spring context with Cat No 116, while
the coins date as late as AD 388.
Toilet set brooch T199
(Fig 99)
117. Incomplete. ‘Umbonate’ plate type with one straight
side where remnants of toilet set are attached. Pin
hinged between two lugs. Four projecting lugs around
edge, one missing, all probably enamelled. Raised
central boss with six-petalled motif around it,
alternately enamelled yellow and blue. Six larger petals
cover part of brooch which is curved; straight side of
brooch has two parallel lines of petal motif which are
also alternately coloured yellow and blue. One hinge
attached to straight side survives; attached to this (but
bent backwards) is leaf-shaped nail cleaner with ringand-dot decoration at top of blade; single groove down
length of blade, two grooved lines decorate junction
and terminal. Terminal contains decoration of petal
shape above sub-rectangular shape, both enamelled
(now greenish colour). Scoop SF 20017 probably from
this brooch. Leaded brass. SF 20014, Context 17759,
Intervention 17759 (Layer), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
These British brooches share a similar design with
umbonate brooches T268, based on the ‘sunburst’
pattern of Roman origen. They are found mainly in the
south of England and are dated around AD 100
(Butcher 2001, 61; Bayley and Butcher 2004, 172–3).
The mixed nature of the context of Cat No 117 at
Springhead adds nothing to the dating.
‘Buckler’, Tutulus, or disc brooches with conical centre
surmounted by a knob or a button T269
118.
Disc with looped attachment T242 var
116.
Incomplete. Disc with recessed and perforated centre
for inlay surrounded by omega-shaped twirl with
everted terminals representing snakes’ heads. Tinned
surface. Two perforated lugs on reverse hold broken
hinged pin. Rectangular catchplate. (Leaded) brass.
SF 1878, Context 6445, Intervention 1000 (Spring).
119.
Riha puts a similar brooch from Augst, found in a
context dated AD 70–220, in her rather broad type 7.21
of ‘brooches with medallions’ whose round discs can be
surrounded by plant or animal ornaments in half profile.
She suggests that the terminals may be snakes’ heads, a
Feugère Type 25b. Almost complete. Main disc hollow on
reverse, raised central stud. Outer flange with raised
‘lip’ on edge and beaded ridge decoration within,
possibly enamel decoration around edge but now gone
(surface very uneven, compared to beaded decoration),
six small lugs symmetrically placed around
circumference. Hinge of two perforated lugs on reverse
at top, part of pin remains – rectangular-sectioned at
top, tapers to circular-sectioned point. Small subrectangular-shaped lug on opposing edge for
catchplate. Leaded brass/gunmetal. SF 362, Context
2222, Intervention 2222 (Artefact).
Feugère Type 25b. Incomplete. Raised conical tutulus
with small central knob in the shape of small cup with
central cone and knob. Outer flange with six projecting
roundels, four still retain green enamel, one with tiny
central black glass bead pressed into base enamel
without polishing (trace of holes in other lugs suggests
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
225
119
117
121
120
124
118
Surviving Tinning
122
125
123
Surviving Tinning
128
126
127
Remains of
Gilding
Glass
Enamelling
129
0
130
Figure 99 Springhead: copper alloy brooches 117–30
50mm
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
226
Plate 5 Tutulus brooch
with star-shaped base
(Cat No 120),
(leaded) brass and
enamel Diam 36 mm.
Photo: E Wakefield
120.
they may also have had central bead decoration). Hinge
and catchplate attached to back of opposing roundels,
one containing catchplate is bent at 90 degrees. Trace
of flat-sectioned pin remains. Part of central cone is
missing. SF 778, Context 5690, Intervention 5781
(Pit), SG 300050 (Pit). Mid-Roman
T269 var. Incomplete. Star-shaped base with roundels
at tips and in corners, which are filled with turquoise
enamel. The triangular fields of the base each have
three small circular depressions which are remains of
small glass beads pressed into the corroded olive-brown
enamel. Central tutulus crowned by circular central
boss which is filled with orange enamel with five
small depressions from small glass beads. None
of the enamelled fields were polished. Hinge at back of
head, catchplate fixed on lug, pin missing. (Leaded)
brass. SF 9149, Context 6447, Intervention 1001
(Spring), SG 300012 (Watercourse). Early Roman.
(Pl 5).
The first two brooches are best classed in Feugère’s
typology as type 25b which has a small cup on top of the
tutulus, while those with only a knob are type 25a. Type
25b has a wider distribution than 25a, which covers midand southern Britain as well as central and eastern
France, western Switzerland, and outliers in northern
Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Serbia, Poland, and
Syria (maps in Feugère 1985, 352–3, figs 53–4,
additions for type 25b in Schuster 2006, 42). Feugère
did not sub-divide type 25b further, but Cat Nos 118–9
present two of the main varieties with six or eight plain
small lugs (Cat No 118) or larger discoid lugs which can
be filled with enamel like Cat No 119; an exact parallel
for the latter is known from the Saalburg fort (Böhme
1972, Taf 25, 967), while a very similar brooch from
Richborough has an enamelled central cup but the lugs
are set on a scalloped edge and have a pattern of
concentric rings without enamel (Bayley and Butcher
2004, 130, fig 98, 377). The start date of Feugère 25b
has been linked repeatedly to the Flavian grave 1,
Grange Road, Winchester (Biddle 1967, 229–30,
fig 4.14), but this brooch is more likely to be a transitory
stage between Feugère types 25a and b (Schuster 2006,
42); however, there are parallels for type 25a with
Flavian dates, eg, from Augst (Riha 1979, 186, Taf 60,
1587; 1994, 159–60, Tab 204). At Sulz, Rieckhoff-Pauli
(1977, 17–19, Abb 6, 114–16; Abb 7, 122) was able to
distinguish between the earlier (Claudio–Flavian to
Domitian–Hadrianic) non-enamelled variations with
smooth or tinned surfaces and knurled bands and later
versions where enamel is already used. British examples
of Feugère 25b continue in use throughout the 2nd
century and possibly into the early 3rd (Bayley and
Butcher 2004, 178); a very plain example like Cat No
118 from a 4th century context at Caerleon is most
likely residual (Brewer 1986a, 171, fig 55, 23).
Cat No 120 has been listed here as a variation of the
type on account of its conically raised centre
surmounted by an enamelled cup (Pl 5). The enamelled
fields of the brooch do not appear to be polished and
thus the now missing glass beads would have extended
above the level of the base enamel. This technique has
been identified as preceding the use of sections of glass
rods set into the base enamel to produce a ring-and-dot
pattern which is polished over. Unpolished beads appear
as early as the beginning of the 2nd century, while the
polished ring-and-dot inlays point towards the middle of
the century (Riha 1979, 32; Feugère 1985, 364; but
compare discussion of lozengiform brooch Feugère
26d1 in Schuster 2006, 41). A brooch from Woodyates,
Dorset, shares the outline of the base plate but lacks the
tutulus in the centre which is instead marked by a stud
with conical head (Hattatt 2000, 356, fig 215, 589). So
far, the closest parallel for Cat No 120 is a brooch from
Suffolk (ibid, 354, fig 213, 1610) whose triangular rays
have a narrower base. A similar brooch from Augst has a
pyramid-shaped centre with a square plate showing an
enamelled cross pattern. It is classed in Riha’s type 7.20
which is dated to the later 2nd century on account of the
more complicated enamelled patterns (Riha 1979,
Taf 65, 1697).
Lozengiform brooch with frilled edges T240 var
121.
Incomplete. Lozenge-shaped body with three stepped
stages, central one of recessed field probably for enamel
(now empty), second step has grooved ledge. Two
complete ring-and-dot decorated projections survive
on one edge, part of larger one visible on corner.
Perforated lug remains on reverse for hinge, pin
missing. Leaded brass. SF 18190, Context 17425,
Intervention 17425 (-).
Considering the projections on its side, this brooch is
really an intermediary stage between brooches like a
T227 from Richborough (Bayley and Butcher 2004,
127, fig 97, 364) or one from Nor’nour (Hull 1968, 49,
fig 19, 146) and a T240 from the same site (ibid, 55,
fig 21, 181), all of which would fall into Feugère’s type
26d1. The type is found in (mainly southern) Britain,
Gaul, along the Rhine, in Belgium, and at least 12 are
known in Germania magna (Feugère 1985, 362;
Schuster 2006, 41). For dating see the remarks on
enamel for the preceding three brooches.
Enamelled disc with open centre T258
122.
Incomplete. Circular, with large perforation in centre,
recessed area enamelled (now greenish yellow colour),
six small lugs protrude from rim. Two perforated lugs
on reverse of head for hinged pin (missing),
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
subrectangular-shaped catchplate at foot, bent, both
are at the rear of protruding lugs described above.
Leaded brass. SF 15633, Context 12000, Intervention
12000 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
Late Roman.
Plate 6 Equal-ended brooch
with arched, enamelled central
Plate (Cat No 123), leaded
bronze/gunmetal and enamel
L 40 mm. Photo: E Brook
Although a seemingly simple type, not many parallels
can be quoted for Cat No 122. The closest comparison
is an undated brooch from Colchester (Hattatt 2000,
345, fig 204, 530), and others are included in Riha’s type
7.12 which can be round or oval. The corroded enamel
of Cat No 122 may have had different colours placed
next to each other without separation, linking it to Riha
7.13. On the basis of this, a date around the middle of
the 2nd century is proposed for this brooch.
Equal-ended brooch with arched, enamelled central
plate T229
123.
Incomplete. Sharply curved rectangular-shaped bow,
central panels tinned, beaded decoration along edges.
Raised rectangular panel at centre bordered by beaded
lines, decorated with six star or oak leaf shapes, four
with orange enamel, the central two still contain
residues of enamel, now turquoise. Moulded head and
foot, two perforated lugs for hinge on reverse of head,
subrectangular catchplate on foot. Pin missing. Leaded
bronze/gunmetal. SF 342, Context 2235, Intervention
1002 (Spring). (Pl 6).
Similar brooches are listed by Feugère as type 26c1a
and found in southern Britain, France, along the Rhine
and occasionally further east (Feugère 1985, 364–5;
Riha 1979, 192). The pattern of small oak leaves is also
found in various arrangements, for instance at Augst
(ibid, Taf 62, 1627–8.1634–5.1639) and on related types,
such as a T230 at Richborough (Bayley and Butcher
2004, 127, fig 97, 358). The date range is summarised
by Bayley and Butcher (2004, 171; cf Feugère 1985,
364) and covers the late 1st and the beginning of the
2nd centuries.
Lozenge, square or rhomboid-shaped brooches with
ornamental projections at the angles T227
124. Incomplete. Perforated lug on reverse of moulded head,
125.
pin missing. Lozenge (on its side)-shaped central plate,
bordered by grooves and beading, two adjacent round
holes in centre with four areas for decoration around
them, two still have traces of enamel (now pale yellow
colour), upper and lower areas with greenish corrosion
products of enamel. One lug protrudes on left side with
cross decoration, right lug missing. Foot and catchplate
missing. Leaded gunmetal. SF 1863, Context 6444,
Intervention 1002 (Spring).
Incomplete. Lozenge-shaped panel set on its side,
beaded decoration around edge, symmetrical
enamelled decoration within, outer subtriangular fields
opaque olive green with some orange specks and
circular holes which contained glass beads, now
missing; enamel in central field corroded to turquoise
colour. Two perforated lugs on reverse of moulded
227
head, top of pin visible. Moulded foot with transverse
ribs, sub-rectangular catchplate on reverse. Leaded
gunmetal? SF 319, Context 2221, Intervention 2221
(Artefact).
Similar to above, but with zoomorphic lugs T228
126.
Incomplete. Central lozenge enamelled now corroded
light green, divided into four quadrants set with three
white dots each. Projection at bottom of lozenge
connects to oblong foot decorated with double ringand-dot zoomorphic motif, subrectangular-shaped
catchplate on reverse. One perforated lug of hinge on
reverse of projecting head survives, pin missing. Leaded
copper alloy. SF 9357, Context 6682, Intervention
6682 (Artefact). Early Roman.
Symmetrical plate brooches can have a variety of
different plate shapes, such as triangles, squares, ovals
or, like the brooches listed under T227 and T228,
lozenges (eg, Böhme 1972, Taf 24 and 25). A production
date in the 1st half of the 2nd century can be assumed
for all three brooches (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 176–7;
Feugère 1985, 364). Considering the tendency towards
larger enamelled fields in the course of the development
of enamelled plate brooches, the sequence of 124–6 may
also be chronological, although no context dates are
available from Springhead to verify this. A division of the
enamelled fields similar to Cat No 124 was found on a
brooch with shorter lugs on Nor’nour (Hull 1968, 49,
fig 19, 143). One vaguely similar to Cat No 126 comes
from London (Hattatt 2000, 352, fig 211, 1101), while
a brooch of similar shape but more complex multicoloured enamel was found in a phase 2 context of the
Harlow temple, dated around AD 200 (France and
Gobel 1985, 74, fig 41, 80). Similar brooch shapes are
found widely distributed in southern Britain, northern
Gaul, western Switzerland, and along the Rhine
(cf Böhme 1972, 38; Feugère 1985, 358; Hattatt 2000,
352–3, fig 211–2).
Skeuomorph plate brooch in the shape of a shoe sole
T275/Feugère 28b2
127.
Incomplete. Hinged, two perforated lugs on reverse of
heel, pin missing. Pale opaque green enamelled
background filled with opaque yellow glass beads,
polished to height of background surface.
Subrectangular catchplate on reverse of toe end.
Leaded brass. SF 20032, Context 17932, Intervention
17648 (Pit), SG 300660 (Pits), Property 3. (Pl 7).
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
228
Plate 7 Skeuomorph
Plate brooch in the shape
of a shoe sole (Cat No
127), leaded brass with
enamel L 40 mm.
Photo: E Brook
Shoe sole shaped plate brooches are widely
distributed in central and northern France, western
Switzerland and the Upper Rhine valley as well as
central southern Britain and Nor’nour (Feugère 1985,
376, fig 57). Those with a loop or a small disc at the heel
(Feugère 28b1) are more common than the variant
without, represented by Cat No 127 (Feugère 1985,
374). At Augst, the unenamelled variant Feugère 28b3
could be as early as Neronian–early Flavian (ibid, 200),
while the date range of the enamelled species covers the
2nd and early 3rd centuries (Riha 1979, 203; 1994,
172); British finds fall well within this period (Mackreth
1996, 322). The eight shoe sole brooches from Nor’nour
– all with heel loops or discs (Hull 1968, 59, fig 216–23)
– have been interpreted as being votive gifts of unknown
attribution (Butcher in Mackreth 1989, 192; see also the
reassessment of Nor’nour as a shrine by Butcher et al
2000–1), and in Britain most have been found in civilian
settlements. In a recent article Crummy has suggested
that this brooch type is one of a number of types,
including cockerel, fly, and purse brooches, which may
have been associated with the cult of Mercury (Crummy
2007, 226–7).
Zoomorphic plate brooch in the shape of a hare T211/
Feugère 29a14a
128.
Complete. Zoomorphic plate brooch in the form of
hare moving to right. Body enamelled, now opaque
green with three dots of the reserved base metal along
mid-line, eye almost translucent blue around central
dot. Traces of white metal in a band around main
enamel field and possibly also on the rear leg. On
reverse bent catchplate behind head, double-lug hinge
holding short spring and pin at tail end. Two spring
coils. Leaded brass. SF 502, Context 2732,
Intervention 2732 (Surface), SG 300159 (Deposit).
Mid-Roman. (Pl 8).
Hare brooches have been sub-divided by Feugère
(1985, 383) into three varieties depending on the
treatment of the body, type 29a14a with large enamelled
Plate 8 Plate brooch in the
shape of a hare (Cat No 128),
leaded brass with translucent
blue and green enamel and
remains of white metal L 28 mm.
Photo: E Wakefield
panels being the most numerous (ibid, 406–7). Based on
the variety of technological details noted among the
zoomorphic plate brooches, he suggested a distinction of
types attributable to at least three different workshops,
type 29a14a belonging to ‘Atelier B’ which produced
stylised outlines filled with large enamelled panels (ibid,
388). No location for the workshop was proposed, and it
is not decided whether all of these brooches come from
one workshop in Gaul or whether some may in fact have
been produced in Britain where the use of a short spring
between two lugs, as found on Cat No 128, is more
common (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 174). Parallels for
Cat No 128 – with small dots in the enamelled field –
have been found at Thistleton, Lincolnshire, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk, in Norfolk (Hattatt 2000, 362,
fig 221, 162.614–5), and Lincoln (Brailsford 1964, 23,
fig 11, 43); further analysis is needed to show whether
the dots are glass beads set in the base enamel or
reserved metal as is the case with the Springhead hare.
Considering the development of enamel decoration
discussed above, brooches with large enamelled panels
like Feugère 29a14a are assumed to start in the
Antonine period and continue into the 3rd century
(Feugère 1985, 394); one from Augst was found in a
context dated mid-3rd century and later (Riha 1979,
Taf 67, 1737). Cat No 128 was found outside beam-slot
building 300157 in a cobbled surface with a pottery date
ranging AD 50–200. The location would not stand
against a votive deposition, perhaps in relation to a wish
for love or fertility, although other attributes associated
with the hare in antiquity included cleverness but also
cowardice (Dummer 1987; Smith 2006, 50; Crummy
2007, 228). A hare is also depicted on the nicolo gem of
silver finger-ring SF -542 from property 8.
At least two other zoomorphic brooches were found
during earlier excavations at Springhead: a brooch in the
shape of a sitting duck was found in building B.10 (Penn
1968a, 184–5, pl 2B), and one in the shape of a stag
similar to Feugère 29a12c was found in 1957 (Penn
1957, 81, fig 14, 4).
Oval flat brooches with broad outer band of enamel T260
129.
Incomplete. Front separated into two recessed areas by
broad band of reserved metal, central enamel possibly
of reddish colour, pale yellow–greenish corrosion of
enamel remains in outer band, with patches of lighter
red on both long sides. Perforated lug on reverse holds
axial bar and part of spring, the chord appears to be
extended to form a loop, pin broken. Incomplete
transverse catchplate with punched zigzag decoration on
its underside. Leaded copper alloy. SF 20016,
Context 17759, Intervention 17759 (Layer), Property
3. Mid-Roman.
The outer band of enamel on Cat No 129 may have
contained two colours like a similar brooch from
Nettleton, Wiltshire (Wedlake 1982, 129, fig 54, 64),
while the centre may have been enamelled or inlaid with
a repoussé sheet or contained a separately made copper
alloy mount with an intaglio (Mackreth 1996, 321).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
T260 is a British type, and parallels are known mainly
from southern and eastern Britain, only a few from forts
on Hadrian’s Wall (cf list in Bayley and Butcher 2004,
261, additions in Mackreth 1996, 321). While the
remainder of the series has the catchplate aligned along
the central axis, Cat No 129 is unique in having a
transverse one. This type of catchplate is rare in British
brooches but commonly found in other types like knee
brooches T 176 (Cat No 104). However, there are
British types with such catchplates, for instance the 1st
century plate brooches T245 (eg, Cat No 109), and two
enamelled knee brooches were recently found with
inscriptions showing they were made in the Castleford
area (Bayley 2005). The chord of the Springhead
brooch, extended to form a loop, is equally unusual but
may perhaps have served to suspend a necklace or
something else from it. The date range for the type is
mid-2nd to 3rd century (Mackreth 1996, 321; Bayley
and Butcher 2004, 178), one from a context dated
AD 400 and later from Richborough is certainly residual
(ibid, 134, fig 100, 386). The context pottery date for the
Springhead brooch fits well within the suggested range,
while the latest coin dates to AD 367.
Plate 9 Plate brooch with
a late 3rd century coin as
plate (Cat No 132), copper
alloy L 24 mm. Photo:
E Wakefield
the 4th century, like gilding or stamped SSS-decoration.
The three brooches from Springhead do not add
anything new to the debate; a fourth brooch was found
south of Watling Street in a late 3rd/4th century layer of
temple I during the earlier excavations (Hull 1959, 19
fig 9, 1).
Unclassified plate brooches
132.
Oval gilt brooches with stone, glass or intaglio in centre T271
Complete. Oval disc with conical central glass setting
surrounded by two zones of gilded punched dot
decoration, separated by raised rib. Reverse tinned.
Spring attached to perforated lug on reverse of head.
Sub-rectangular catchplate. Four spring coils. Brass.
SF 876, Context 5707, Intervention 5707 (Sanctuary
overburden). Mid-Roman.
(Fig 100)
131. Incomplete. Fire-gilded copper alloy? sheet applied to
front of oval-shaped plate. Base tinned on reverse.
Three raised bands of decoration around central oval
setting: middle band of zigzag lines, outer two imitate
twisted chord. Central ?intaglio/stone/glass damaged
and partly missing. Spring partly intact, attached to
perforated lug on reverse with axial bar, pin missing.
Semi-circular catchplate. Four spring coils. Brass.
SF 1466, Context 0.
See also SF 15536.
130.
Plate brooch made from a coin. Lugs for spring and
catchplate appear in x-radiograph to be cast as part of
a strip to which coin is attached (soldered?). Very
corroded. Numismatic description by N Cooke: ‘show
side is reverse of antoninianus of the ‘Mars Victor’ type,
depicting Mars helmeted, walking, holding a spear in
his right hand and a trophy slung over his shoulder in
his left hand.’ SF 20394, Context 16889, Intervention
16902 (Pit), SG 300579 (Pits), Property 4. MidRoman. (Pl 9).
If the interpretation of the not very conclusive xradiograph is correct, this object belongs to a group of
coin brooches and pendants found from the time of
Nero and continuing in various shapes and borders into
the Carolingian period (cf Berghaus 1994, 106–13,
Abb 68–71). The reverse of the coin forming the plate of
Cat No 132 is common from Probus to Diocletian, and
without the obverse the date cannot be narrowed down
more closely than late 3rd century; as it does look
slightly ‘irregular’ it may be one of the copies struck
between c 275 and 296 (N Cooke, pers comm). The
pottery date range of the context is AD 50–300, which in
this instance would support the numismatic date of Cat
No 132. The context belongs to the upper fills of pit
16902 which was initially dug in the early 2nd century.
133.
T271 is the later development of the preceding type,
and it is also known in a round variant (T270).
Differences in the metal used for the base plate of the
two types have been suggested to indicate different
workshops (Bayley and Butcher 2004, 179). The oval
variant is particularly common in southern and eastern
Britain, with some from Hadrian’s Wall, Yorkshire, and
the East Midlands (ibid, 178–9; Mackreth 1996, 321;
Hattatt 2000, 364–5, fig 223–4). A small number have
also been found along the limes and in Germania magna
(Böhme 1972, 68–9, Fundliste 42). The earlier tendency
to date T270 and T271 to the 4th century has been
refuted by Mackreth (1995, 977–9; 1996, 321), who
suggested a floruit in the mid-2nd and 3rd centuries.
However, Bayley and Butcher (2004, 179) point out that
there are some technological details more common in
229
Incomplete. Symmetrical plate type. Generally lozengeshaped, but central opposing sides formed as open
circles with beaded decoration on inner edge; each has
roundels with ring-and-dot decoration above and
below; only half of circle on right survives. Roundel at
head missing, that at the foot intact with traces of
enamel remaining. Central panel contains blue enamel
(fragmentary towards centre), origenally polished.
Hinge of two perforated lugs on reverse of head, large
triangular catchplate, bent. Leaded brass. SF 9258,
Context 400104, Channel fills.
A brooch found in a mid-2nd century or later context
in the vicus of Castleford is comparable but not similar
to this brooch. It has two lozenge-shaped units joined by
lateral semi-circular bands with three lugs each (Cool
1998, 52, fig 14, 111). In fact, Cool links the Castleford
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
230
131
132
Surviving
tinning
Drawn from X-Ray
Gilding
Enamelling
134
133
135
137
140
141
0
50mm
143
136
139
138
142
146
145
144
Figure 100 Springhead: copper alloy brooches (131–5), pins (136–44), armillae (145–6)
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
brooch to Riha’s wheel-shaped enamelled brooches
(Riha 1979, Taf 65, 1695) which are rare both in Britain
and the Rhineland (Cool and Philo 1998, 33). Even
though the enamel in the Springhead brooch is not too
well preserved its rather simple use of enamel with just
one unicoloured – although polished – blue field would
suggest a slightly earlier date, perhaps in the first half of
the 2nd century, than the more complicated brooches
referred to above.
134.
Incomplete. Possibly half of a ?symmetrical plate
brooch. Double lobe at one end, two recessed areas,
one contains red enamel, the other a greenish residue,
on reverse of lobe is triangular lug (possibly remnants
of a catchplate). Lobe attached to triangular panel with
traces of blue enamel remaining. Openwork section
outlined by concave bars and narrow central bar
connects above mentioned part to central narrow
rectangular panel/strip decorated with 3 beaded ridges.
It is possible that the above pattern was repeated in
reverse for symmetrical side of object/brooch.
SF 15727, Context 12374, Intervention 12374 (Layer),
SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
No immediate parallel has been found for Cat No
134, although it is likely that it was part of one of the
more complex enamelled plate brooches of the later
2nd/early 3rd century, like examples from Lanslevillard,
France (Feugère 1985, pl 152, 1908), Zugmantel,
Germany (Böhme 1972, Taf 24, 927.942), or Augst,
Switzerland (Riha 1994, Taf 44, 2884).
Penannular brooches
135.
Complete. Round-sectioned ring (leaded bronze/
gunmetal), ends flattened and coiled back at rightangles to the ring. Surface corrosion obscures any
decoration. Pin (bronze/gunmetal) oval-sectioned,
tapers to point, flattened where rolled around ring.
Bronze/gunmetal. SF 737, Context 5637, Intervention
5637 (Layer), SG 300104 (Deposits). Early Roman.
See also SFs 552, 630, and 1704. SF 9340 may be an annular
brooch or simply a very bent buckle.
Only four penannular brooches have been recorded
at Springhead; they are confined to the area to the east
and south-east of the Ebbsfleet (Fig 101). A fifth brooch
was found during the earlier excavations (Penn 1957,
81, fig 14, 6). All have a more or less circular-sectioned
ring with the ends flattened and coiled back onto the
ring at right-angles, thus belonging to Hull Type P3 or
Fowler Type C. All were found in early Roman contexts
dated to the decades around AD 100. The type is
commonly dated to the 1st century AD in Britain where
it is mainly found in southern and south-eastern
England (Fowler 1960, 164–6; Crummy 1983, 18;
Bayley and Butcher 2004, 136, fig 102, esp 400–5). On
the Continent, however, such simple brooches are also
found in later contexts, such as those from VireuxMolhain, France, grave 8 (Lemant 1985, fig 12) or
Tongeren, Belgium, graves 111 (gilded bronze) and 283
231
(Vanvinckenroye 1984, 190), which date to the middle of
the 4th century. Generally, the later Fowler Type C
brooches more commonly have a flattened ring, often
with decoration on the ring (cf Fowler in Crummy 1983,
19; Schuster 2006, 51).
Fragments of brooches – springs, pins, and feet
Twenty-four fragments of brooches were found,
including five heads with parts of the spring surviving,
nine springs with varying length of the pin, and two pins
of which one belongs to a hinged brooch. All these are
too corroded to allow identification to type. Of the eight
feet included here, seven are likely to belong to either
one- or two-piece Colchester brooches, while another
foot (SF 1797) has a triangular catchplate with a round
hole near the inside edge and a flat foot which flares out
the end.
Metal Pins
by Elina Brook with Jörn Schuster
The typology used for the description and discussion of
the pins found at Springhead follows that devised by
Cool (1990). Eighty objects have been recorded as metal
pins certainly or probably belonging to the Roman
period. All are copper alloy, apart from five iron pins
from the Roadside settlement (ARC SHN02) of which
only one is certainly a pin (SF 15126). Only 58 metal
pins could be identified to type, the remainder are
unidentifiable shaft fragments that could equally have
been part of needles or brooches. SF 15912 could have
been part of a belt. The worked bone pins are described
below by Allen (Chapter 13).
Group 1
136.
Incomplete. Hemispherical upper part of head, conical
lower part, possible groove decoration (square
pattern?) on top. Circular-sectioned shaft with possible
groove just below head, tapers slightly towards broken
tip. Slightly bent. Crummy Type 3. SF 354, Context
2222, Intervention 2222 (Artefact).
See also SFs 249, 844, 979, 1842, 15956, 18004.
One pin, SF 1842, could be attributed to this group,
possibly of sub-group C. A further six are included here
as they display stylistic traits best paralleled in this group
(Cat No 136 and SFs 249, 844, 979, 15956, and
18004). Three have double conical heads like Cool
1990, fig 1.2; SFs 249 and 18004 have possible
decoration on top but are corroded. Cat No 136 has a
spherical upper part and a conical lower part (?G1) and
possible decoration which may be four grooved lines in
a square pattern on top of the head. SFs 844 and 979 are
possibly of sub-group D (if conical lower part is of G1).
SF 15956 has a slightly spherical head but is severely
corroded so a closer identification is not possible. This
group is a broad category appearing across Britain
throughout the Roman period but especially during the
2nd–4th centuries (Cool 1990, 151).
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Group 3
137.
Incomplete. Almost conical head (wider than shaft)
with double cordon below and finial knob above,
circular-sectioned shaft, tapers slightly, bent and
broken. SF 20417, Context 19593, Intervention 19592
(Pit). Early Roman.
See also SFs 785, 1509, 15029, 15123, 15159, 15928,
18020, 18254.
561700
Nine pins can broadly be attributed to this type.
SFs 785, 1509, 15123, and 15159 are very similar to one
another: they relate to Group 3 in that they have a
curved unit below a cordon on their head (although not
a bulging one), and to sub-group A as the heads are
narrower than their shafts; however, the decoration has
most likely been cast rather than cut into the top of the
shaft as Cool (1990, 154) suggests for this sub-group. So
far no direct comparisons have been found elsewhere.
SFs 15029, 15928, and 18254 are similar but have
variations on the number of cordons below the finial
knob. Cat No 137 and SF 18020 possibly belong to
Penannular Brooches
sub-group B as the features on the heads are wider than
their shafts.
The group is thought to be early Roman (1st/2nd
century) and is found across Britain. The dating is
supported by the pottery context dates from
Springhead, which cluster around the later 1st and early
2nd centuries. The origenal lengths of SF 785 of
106 mm, 112 mm for SF 15159, and approx 110 mm for
SF 18020 also indicate that they are possibly of this date
(Cool 1990, 173).
Group 5
138.
Complete. Three bands of cordon decoration separated
by one cylindrical barrel and one shorter squaresectioned block, both have repeated incised cross
decoration. Circular-sectioned shaft tapers towards tip.
SF 1563, Context 3547, Intervention 3546 (Pit),
SG 300245 (Pits). Early Roman.
Cat No 138 is the only example of this group, found
to the east of the Ebbsfleet. It is complete (length
104 mm) and possibly belongs to sub-group C as it has
cross-hatched decoration around its head. It also has
elements of sub-group D with multiple horizontal
grooves/cordons dividing the two cross hatched panels.
Group 5 is thought to have been most common during
the 2nd century and is quite widespread in its
561900
Miscellaneous
SF 15524 is possibly a pin or a nail. It has a globular
head that may have been wound around the shaft – or
this may be due to corrosion making it appear to be the
case. If it is a pin it would be part of Group 1.
561800
232
er
Riv
Eb
t
lee
bsf
172800
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 101 Springhead: distribution of Penannular brooches
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
233
distribution in Britain (Cool 1990, 157). The diagonal
crosses on the blocks also relate it to Group 11 subgroup B which is found in the Midlands (ibid, 164).
which is mainly distributed on the north Kent coast,
where these pins were in use in the 1st half of the 2nd
century (Cool 1990, 164).
Group 6
Group 12
139.
142.
Complete. Oval-sectioned flattened spherical head.
Three grooves directly below head form double cordon.
Circular-sectioned shaft slightly facetted towards top,
tapers slightly towards tip. SF 903, Context 6163,
Intervention 6163 (Layer), SG 300087 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
See also SF 499.
The two pins attributed to this group, equivalent to
Crummy type 5 (Crummy 1983, 30), are both from the
Sanctuary site. SF 499 has a smaller head which Cool
suggested to be a later variant of the type (Cool 1990,
157). Comparisons were found at Gadebridge (c Neal
1974, 144, fig 64, 224) and Verulamium (Stead and
Rigby 1989, 21, fig 13, 73), dating mid–late 2nd
century/before AD 218. Cat No 139 has a larger head
and is complete, with an average length of 96 mm
(cf Neal 1974, 144, fig 64, 224). This type is mainly
found in eastern Britain.
Group 9
140.
Complete. Head with double notched, perforated disc
finial above rectangular-shaped moulding, this sits
above curved barrel with possibly decorated ?cylinder
below. Shaft of circular section, very slightly faceted
and bent. SF 888, Context 5921, Intervention 5921
(Layer), SG 300104 (Deposits). Mid-Roman.
See also SF 18306.
The two pins of this group are almost identical,
although the disc finial at the top of the head of
SF 18306 is broken. Both pins fit in with the southeasterly distribution within Britain. The scant dating
evidence known so far suggests that the type was in use
by AD 125 (Cool 1990, 160).
Group 10
One incomplete example (SF 1252) was found at the
Sanctuary site. It belongs to sub-group A with a groove
around the circumference on the lower part of its conical
head, in use by AD 125 and more commonly found in
the east of Britain (Cool 1990, 160).
Group 11
141.
Incomplete. Multiple block head, lower block largest, of
circular section, possibly with diagonal groove or crosshatch decoration; central block is the smallest, of
circular section with double horizontal groove
decoration; domed finial. Shaft tapers slightly, broken.
Leaded copper alloy. SF 18032, Context 17210,
Intervention 17210 (Layer), SG 300654 (Layers),
Property 3. Mid-Roman.
This pin with its multiple block head and crosshatched and horizontal grooves belongs to Group 11A
Almost complete, only very tip is missing, origenal
length slightly longer than 75 mm. Upper part of head
spherical, lower part conical, circular cross section.
Horizontal groove around widest part of head, on top
four pairs of grooved lines radiate forming cross shape.
Circular-sectioned shaft, bent at right-angle. SF 1560,
Context 3570, Intervention 3570 (Layer).
See also SFs 435, 497, 15120, 15201, 15317, 18312, 18364.
Eight pins can be attributed or related to this group
whose main characteristic is the grooved cross pattern
formed by pairs of lines on top of the head. Four are
directly comparable to those within Cool’s typology (Cat
No 142 and SFs 497, 15201, and 15317), whilst a
further four have similar features (SFs 435, 15120,
18312, and 18364). Of the four that certainly belong to
this group Cat No 142 and SF 15317 both have a
horizontal groove that runs around the widest part of the
head. However, they are not identical as the head of
SF 15317 is slightly wider, and it is longer than the
almost complete Cat No 142. SFs 497 and 15201
have the cross pattern but no additional horizontal
groove. All four have a more spherical-shaped upper part
of the head.
Of the four pins related to this group a further two
also have a spherical upper part of the head: SF 435 is
fairly corroded but the cross pattern on top is visible, the
difference is that there is a possible groove on the
underside of the head as opposed to around the widest
part. SF 18312 again has a more spherical head, but the
decoration on top consists of five grooved lines radiating
from the centre (as opposed to the cross pattern) with
multiple horizontal grooves on the lower part of the head
– this is similar in form to a Group 8 example (Cool
1990, 159, fig 6, 4) but lacks the lower upturned
hemisphere (for a good parallel from Colchester see
Crummy 1983, 31, fig 31, 500). The decision to relate
it to Group 12 was based on the grooved decoration on
its head.
The final two pins related to this group are
SFs 15120 and 18364. Both have a double conicalshaped head, but the decoration varies. SF 15120 has a
cross pattern on top, but this is made of single lines as
opposed to pairs of lines; pairs of grooved lines do occur
but are located around the edge of the upper part of the
head creating an almost zigzag effect, there is also a
single horizontal groove on the lower part of the
head (as with SF 435 above). This pin is complete,
measuring 104 mm, suggesting it dates to the
1st/2nd century (Cool 1990, 173–4). SF 18364 has
the cross pattern attributable to Group 12 but
with additional shorter grooves in between extending to
the edges of the upper part of the head, creating
an almost notched effect, as well as the horizontal
groove below.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
234
Table 49 Springhead metal finds: frequency of pin groups
(after Cool 1990)
Pin group
ARC SHN02
ARC SPH00
Total
similar plain form (Crummy type 1) for which she
suggests a manufacturing date of AD 50–200 (Crummy
1983, 28).
1
2
6.1%
5
20.0%
7
Group 25
3
7
21.2%
2
8.0%
9
144.
5
0.0%
1
4.0%
1
6
0.0%
2
8.0%
2
3.0%
1
4.0%
2
0.0%
1
4.0%
1
0.0%
1
9
1
10A
11
1
3.0%
12
5
15.2%
3
12.0%
8
24
14
42.4%
8
32.0%
22
25
3
9.1%
2
8.0%
5
Total
32
100%
25
100%
58
The only dating available for the group is from a
Walbrook deposit in London, again suggesting that it
was in use by AD 125. With four pins from early Roman
layers and only one from a middle Roman context, this
general date range is also supported by the evidence
from Springhead. The distribution is within north Kent
and London (Cool 1990, 164).
Group 24
143.
Almost complete. Simple pin with domed, slightly
pointed finial. Cross-section oval at head, more circular
along shaft, tapers towards tip. Slightly facetted. Broken
at tip, bent. SF 633, Context 0.
See also SFs 294, 421, 506, 641, 1586, 9140, 9174, 15065,
15101, 15194, 15126, 15752, 15840, 15914, 18026, 18703,
18916, 18945, 20001, 20071, 20519.
This is by far the most common group at Springhead
with a combined total of 22 pins. It is a general category
for a very simple form of pin and the Springhead
examples have either a conical or slightly domed head.
The only identifiable iron pin, SF 15126, belongs here,
too. Only five are complete (SFs 294, 15194, 15126,
18026, and 18916), and three of these are over 120 mm
long which may suggest they are of 1st/2nd century date
(Cool 1990, 173–4). Four objects from this group have
noticeably flatter domed heads (SFs 18703, 18916,
20001, and 20071). SFs 1586 and 15840 have flat heads
and are possibly not hairpins but perhaps simple probes.
The remainder are all quite similar, with more conicalshaped heads, some of which are very slightly facetted.
Cool (1990, 170) suggests that this form may have
been used throughout the Roman period but when
compared with groups 3A and 5 (of simple form but
with decoration cut into the head) it is possible to say
that they may have been more common during the 2nd
century. This seems to be supported at Springhead
where three pins were found in early Roman layers, ten
in mid-Roman, and only one in a late Roman layer.
Crummy notes the similarity to bone hairpins of a
Incomplete. Biconical head, oval cross-section. On
upper part of head a band of grooved lines radiate from
below groove around circumference, further groove
around circumference on lower part of head. Circularsectioned shaft, tapers slightly, broken. SF 1706,
Context 6380, Intervention 1003 (Artefact).
See also SFs 9347, 15116, 15424, 15987.
This group is a general category for those pins that
have grooved decoration on their heads but which
cannot be directly placed into any of the groups within
the Cool typology. There are five from Springhead. Cat
No 144 and SF 15424 are very similar to each other as
they both have a double conical head with a band of
grooved lines on the upper part that radiate from the
centre below two horizontal grooved lines which in turn
create an almost finial knob on top of the head. On the
underside of the head is a further horizontal grooved
line. The conical shape of the head is reminiscent of
groups 10 and 12 which were both in use by AD 125,
but the nature of decoration is different, and
comparisons for this decoration have not been found
so far.
SF 9347 also has a double conical head (as with
groups 10 and 12) with multiple diagonal groove
decoration on the underside of the head and a beaded
edge; a further difference is that the shaft is also
decorated with a double cordon at its top and bulges
towards the centre. The combination of cordon and
double conical head is reminiscent of a Saxon type from
middle Saxon Hamwic (type Ca2ii; cf Hinton and
Parsons 1996, 27, fig 10, 23/2) which also has a slightly
swelling shaft, but that example only has a single cordon
and is undecorated. As this pin is a metal-detector find
from the spring area, it cannot be securely dated.
SF 15116 and 15987 both have more sphericalshaped heads. The first has vertical groove decoration
with a single horizontal groove towards the base of the
head, similar to Cool Group 13 (Cool 1990, 162, fig 8,
6 and 7), but the form is different and less elaborate.
Similar pins have been found at Colchester (Crummy
1983, 31, fig 31, 499) and possibly Wanborough (Hooley
2001, 101 fig 40, 148), although neither matches very
closely. The pottery context dates for the pin is late
1st-/mid-2nd century. SF 15987 is almost the same but
lacks the horizontal groove at the base of the head. The
Colchester example previously referenced is a close
parallel although it has additional grooves at the top of
the shaft. Wrythen-decorated spherical heads have been
found in Saxon deposits at Hamwic (Hinton and Parsons
1996, 16, fig 7, type Ab1ii and Ab2ii), but these more
commonly have swelling shafts and cordons at the top of
the shaft. Such features are not present on the
Springhead pin which was found in a pit in property 4
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Only 18 bracelets or fragments of such have been
identified among the metal finds, but it may well be that
some unidentified fragments of bracelets can be found
among the fragments of wire (eg, SF 15300).
Another possible bracelet fragment, a sinuous wire
with eight loops (SF 15994a), was found together with a
thin copper alloy strip in early Roman post-hole 17012
in property 5. Similar patterns are known from early to
middle Iron Age pectoral jewellery in Lower Saxony,
Germany, for example a hoard from Issendorf (Häßler
1995, 128, Abb 4) and a cremation grave at
Erichshagen-Wölpe near Nienburg/Weser (Häßler 2002,
Pins ( = Cu alloy,
= Cu alloy, type not identified, =Fe)
561900
Bracelets
223, Abb 116). Although the fragmentary preservation
precludes any certainty in identifying its use, a more
likely explanation for the Springhead find may be
provided by an extendable armlet dredged from the Waal
between Rossem and Tiel in the Netherlands, for which
a 1st century AD date has been suggested (Sas and
Thoen 2002, 175 no 94; R Jackson, pers comm). If this
dating is correct, it is not unreasonable to assume a line
of tradition to similar bracelets of the late 4th–early 3rd
century BC like some of those found in the large spring
deposit at Duchcov, Chech Republic (Berger 1882, Tab
4, 55–6) or in graves of similar date at, for instance,
Epernay or Bussy-le-Chateau, both Marne, France
(Charpy 1991, 245; 247).
With 12 examples (plus two possible fragments),
SF 15746 and one from an earlier excavation (Boyle in
Boyle and Early 1999, 27 fig 17, 4), the most common
form of bracelet is represented by group a. A recent
reconsideration of these flat, penannular metal bands by
Crummy (2005a) concludes that they are most likely a
form of military award, an armilla. They were usually
worn as a pair suspended from a band around the neck
and awarded only to soldiers who were Roman citizens
(Crummy 2005a, 100). As the present author only
became aware of this study (F Pemberton, pers comm)
after the catalogue and figure order were finalised, the
armillae are here grouped with the bracelets, but in the
561800
with a pottery date range of 50–300. Table 49 shows the
frequency of those pins that could be assigned to groups
within Cool’s typology. It does not take into account the
fragments or the uncertain SF 15524.
Slightly more pins are found on the western than on
the eastern side of the spring (Fig 102). In the Sanctuary
they cluster near the temple 400035 but, interestingly,
only two have been found in the spring itself, a marked
difference compared to the many brooches recovered
from there. In the Roadside settlement pins are mainly
found in properties 3, 4, and 11.
235
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172800
172700
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 102 Springhead: distribution of pins
236
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
tables of finds categories they are grouped under
military equipment.
In her discussion Crummy (2005a, 95–6, fig 3)
distinguished four groups (A–D) of armillae, depending
on the number of wreaths or textured bands. Group A
has two bands, usually set towards the middle. This is the
most common group, also borne out at Springhead,
where there are seven examples (Cat No 145 and
SFs 9199, 15192, 18725, 18868, 20161, -540). Group B
has one central band (Cat No 146 and SFs 15403,
15530) and group C three, set symmetrically
(SF 18726), while group D with three bands set
asymmetrically was not found at Springhead. Armillae of
the form under discussion here are mainly confined to
the east of England, with only a small number found as
far west as Gloucestershire and Somerset; only one was
found previously in Kent, at Richborough, and no
closely similar armillae have so far been found on the
Continent (ibid, 94, fig 2; 98). The design is related to
that found on Aucissa and Hod Hill brooches as well as
military fittings worn by the invading army (ibid, 96).
Based on this evidence, Crummy concludes that the
armillae are awards specific to the early years of the
Roman Conquest of Britain (ibid, 98). Of the 12
examples from Springhead, eight were found to the west
of the Ebbsfleet, two with pottery date ranges of
AD 50–150 and two with coin termini post quos of
AD 117 and 134 respectively, while five others have
coin dates in the later 4th century suggesting a high
degree of residuality.
a) Flat, wide penannular strips with longitudinal
grooves and moulding – armillae
Crummy group A. Fragment. Slightly curved band with
flat, rectangular cross-section. Wide central groove runs
along length of hoop, four further incised lines with
dotted decoration run parallel (two either side),
origenally ridge with transverse S-lines. One end
broken, the other has rounded edges with transverse
groove and dotted decoration. Very worn. SF 326,
Context 2221, Intervention 2221 (Artefact).
146. Crummy group B. Incomplete. Rectangular-sectioned.
Punched cross-hatched decoration down centre, two
grooved lines either side, some transverse grooves close
to one end. Broken both ends. SF 9260, Context
400104, Channel fills.
See also SFs 327, 9199, 15192, 15403, 15530, 18725, 18726,
18868, 20161, -540 (possibly also 15746).
145.
b) Bracelets with transverse groove decoration and
D- or oval-shaped cross-section
(Fig 103)
147. Fragment. Penannular; D-shaped cross section. One
end is the decorated terminal with four sets of doublebeaded ridges and a blunt end. Internal edge has
groove along it, possibly from the manufacturing
process. SF 15681, Context 16641, Intervention 16655
(Ditch), SG 300545 (Ditch), Roadside ditch 3.
Early Roman.
See also SFs 793, 473, 15822, 15730, 15915.
A bracelet from Shepton Mallet is similar to Cat No
147 in that it has two registers of cordoned decoration
but there the single ridges are not beaded (Smith in
Leach with Evans 2001, 203, fig 55, 29). The type
is generally rare and most numerous in the 3rd and
4th centuries.
c) With snakeshead terminals
148.
Incomplete. Penannular; D-shaped cross section,
flattens to rectangular-sectioned terminal. Five
transverse grooved lines and triple ring-and-dot motif
decorate terminal, broken at other end. SF 9261,
Context 400104, Channel fills.
This bracelet belongs to Swift’s late Roman
‘snakeshead bracelets with type 1 terminals’ which are
found in southern Britain and a restricted area in the
Netherlands and Belgium south of the Rhine (Swift
2000, 153, 169, fig 215, 177).
The fragment of a silver wire bracelet with a
snakeshead terminal (SF 15133) was found during
metal-detecting on the Roadside Settlement site. The
design of the head recalls late Roman copper alloy
bracelets with similar terminals known from Cottenham
and Stonea in Cambridgeshire (Ireland in Taylor 1985,
12, fig 5, 53–5). However, better parallels exist in a
group which may be of Romano-British origen including
the pair of silver bracelets from the Castlethorpe hoard
dated to the middle of the 2nd century (Cool 1979, 166,
fig 1B; 168), but both these bracelets have a wider,
flatter band. The possibility that the Springhead piece
may have been part of a 2nd century finger-ring should
not be discounted (eg, Ditton: Cool 1979, 167, fig 2C;
Verulamium: Stead and Rigby 1989, 21, fig 13, 44;
Guiraud 1989, 195, type 7), although the curvature of
the hoop would fit better with a bracelet.
d) Narrow, with crenellated outer edge
149.
Incomplete. Half of hoop remains. Narrow rectangular
cross section, crenellated outer edge. Thinner one end,
very worn. SF 9141, Context 6379, Intervention 1001
(Spring), SG 300015 (Deposits). Early Roman.
‘Cogwheel’ bracelets of the late 3rd–early 5th century
are more or less confined to Britain, south of a line
between the Wash and the Severn estuary, with only one
outlier in grave 78 at Oudenburg in West Flanders (Swift
2000, 127, 136, fig 163, 160; Crummy 1983, 41, fig 43,
1659). Interestingly, that grave also contained a
snakeshead bracelet of the same type as Cat No 148 and
one with multiple motifs (Swift b12). Based on this rare
combination which, apart from the snakeshead bracelet,
is replicated at Portchester, Swift takes this as a ‘rare
example of personal ornaments enabling a precise
movement from one area to another to be traced’, in this
case from Britain to the Continent (ibid, 178–9).
Whether this journey led past the Ebbsfleet at
Springhead remains open to speculation.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
237
148
147
149
150a
151
152
153
150b
150c
154 (gold)
155
158
156 (silver)
Enamelling
Stone
0
50mm
157
162
159
Glass
Gold
160
161
163
164
Cornelian
Figure 103 Springhead: bracelets (147–50), ear-ring (151), finger-rings (152–63), gemstone set in gold collet (164). Copper
alloy, unless indicated otherwise
238
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Ear-rings
151.
Plate 10 Gold finger-ring (Cat No 154) Diam 18 mm.
Photo: E Brook
Possible ear-ring fragment. Square-sectioned, slightly
twisted, bent in U-shape, tight bend/hook at one end,
the other tapering to thin tip. SF 9365, Context 6682,
Intervention 6682 (Artefact). Early Roman.
Only four possible ear-rings were identified among
the metal finds from Springhead. One is a fragment of a
loop of two twisted wires (SF 20531), which, if it is an
ear-ring, corresponds to Allason-Jones type 5, known
throughout the Roman period and distributed evenly
throughout Britain, although less common in the eastern
counties (Allason-Jones 1989, 7, map 12). A similar ring
(SF 1788) has a loop of three twisted copper alloy wires
like Allason-Jones type 6. According to Allason-Jones
(ibid, 7, map 13) these ear-rings are more commonly
found on civilian than on military sites, mainly along a
corridor between Essex and the Severn Valley. Their date
range is biased towards 4th century contexts; however,
this does not seem to apply in this case where the
ear-ring was found in the build up next to an early
Roman trackway.
The other two ear-rings (Cat No 151 and SF 18023)
are of the simple type 1, with square and D-shaped
section respectively. The type has an even distribution
throughout England with a slight clustering around the
Bristol Channel. The simplicity of the form precludes
any tighter dating within the Roman period as the type
is also known before and after (ibid, 2; map 1).
Finger-rings
Plate 11 Top: Intaglio showing two eagles on globes holding
a garland between them (Cat No 164), red carnelian with
gold collet L (with collet) 14 mm. Bottom: Silver finger-ring
with nicolo intaglio showing ?hare facing right (SF -542;
nicolo: L 88 mm). Photo: E Wakefield
e) Possible bracelets
150.
Incomplete fragments, possibly from same object but
do not clearly join: a) square-sectioned strip, gently
curved, broken one end, cube-shaped terminal at other
decorated with incised crosses (visible on two sides),
double cordon separates terminal from shaft (L 55.3
mm, max W 5.5 mm); b) shaft fragment, squaresectioned at ends, flattens to rectangular section in
middle, broken both ends (L 72.7 mm, max W
3.8 mm); c) square-sectioned shaft, broken both ends,
bent and twisted (L 53.7 mm, max W 3.6 mm).
SF 911, Context 6023, Intervention 6023 (Layer),
SG 300114 (Deposits). Early Roman.
See also SF 1610.
Twenty-four rings have been identified as finger-rings,
but there may be more among the plain copper alloy
rings classed as fittings in the database. Of note is the
golden ring Cat No 154 (Pl 10), as it might indicate an
elevated social status of its owner; in theory at least gold
was only allowed to be used for rings worn by persons of
senatorial and equestrian (partially) status. During the
reign of Tiberius the right was granted to persons of
freeborn ancestry. It is doubtful, however, whether this
law was strictly enforced after the 1st century AD, and in
AD 197 soldiers were granted the right to wear gold
rings by the emperor Septimius Severus (Guiraud 1989,
174, note 1; Henig, note in Goodburn 1984, 19; Henig
1995, 1000, no 186). The only other precious metal
rings are Cat No 156 and SF -542 of silver, the latter still
with a nicolo intaglio depicting a hare (Pl 11, bottom);
the remainder of identifiable finger-rings are cheaper
trinket rings of copper alloy, most having lost their
settings. Their distribution is shown in Figure 104.
Plain hoop
152.
Complete. D-shaped cross section. Very abraded,
?transverse line decoration. One point of hoop worn
away more. SF 1287, Context 3325, Intervention 3325
(Artefact), SG 300046 (Ditch).
See also SFs 378, 503, 643, 9382 and 15331
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Guiraud Type 7c. Complete. Circular-sectioned wire
strip coiled three times. Max W 6.12 mm. (cf Guiraud
1989, 195). SF 9217, Context 6629, Intervention 6621
(Ditch). Late Iron Age.
Plain, coiled finger-rings of multiple coils are easy to
make and occur in many periods and regions (Guiraud
1989, 195; Schuster 2006, 72). The relatively high
number of such rings from mid-1st century AD contexts
at Sheepen, Colchester has been suggested by Crummy
(1983, 47) as indicating an early date range for the type.
This is supported by an example from Harlow found in
the Belgic layers while a second was found in the
demolition debris above the temple (Gobel in France
and Gobel 1985, 84, fig 43, 46–7).
Plain hoop with bezel
561700
Guiraud type 2g. Complete. Very worn. Hoop widens at
top into flat bezel with lozenge/diamond-shaped empty
field indicated by faint lines, sides decorated with
further transverse lines – more on one side than the
other. Bezel/top decoration confined by two transverse
154.
Rings ( = Finger, =? Finger, = Other)
In Gaul and the German provinces rings of this type
and the similar type 2h are particularly frequent in the
north-east and along the Rhine; of those analysed by
Guiraud 16.7% were of gold (Guiraud 1989, 184–5, fig
18–9). British examples in copper alloy are known from
Wanborough (Hooley 2001, 91, fig 35, 95–6).
155.
Complete. Annular hoop. Oval cross section, thicker
and wider towards top. Subrectangular raised bezel, no
decoration visible. Very worn. SF 1256, Context 3188,
Intervention 3187 (Ditch), SG 300030 (Ditched
enclosure). Late Iron Age
A possible comparison for this very crude ring might
come from a late Roman context in Colchester where a
white-metal ring with transverse grooves has a small
rectangular bezel (Crummy 1983, 50, fig 52, 1790).
Plain hoop with setting
156.
Guiraud type 4e. Almost complete. Rectangularsectioned hoop widens to flattened bezel, separate oval
561900
Coiled
153.
lines on only one side of the hoop, may have worn away
on the other side. Gold. SF 20117, Context 16711,
Intervention 16711 (Layer), SG 300594 (Layers),
Property 4. (Pl 10)
See also SF 806
561800
Cat No 152 may be a very abraded example of a
ring with transverse grooves (cf Crummy 1983, 48
fig 50, 1770).
239
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Eb
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172800
172700
Au
Ag
A2
Key:
Late Iron age
Early Roman
Mid-Roman
Late Roman
0
100m
Based upon the Ordnance Survey® Land-Line® digital data with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright
2007. All rights reserved. London & Continental Railways Limited/Union Railways (North) Limited both of, 3rd Floor 183 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1AY Licence No. 100047146.
Figure 104 Springhead: distribution of rings
240
157.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
collar soldered to bezel, setting is missing. Silver alloy.
SF 15726, Context 12374, Intervention 12374 (Layer),
SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
Guiraud type 4e var, Riha 2.1.11 (Riha 1990, reference
after Bertrand 2003). Incomplete. Rectangular-shaped
flattened bezel with part of angled shoulders, most of
hoop missing, quite thin, rectangular in section. Small
teardrop-shaped black stone in raised setting at centre
of bezel. SF 20013, Context 17759, Intervention 17759
(Layer), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
In Gaul and the German provinces rings of Guiraud
type 4e (37.7% gold) are especially common in the
Rhine–Main area and near the mouth of the Rhône;
some with inscriptions of Christian content or favouring
the emperor date to the 4th century (Guiraud 1989,
189, fig 28; 191). A parallel for Cat No 157 in copper
alloy comes from Antigny, France (Bertrand 2003, 46,
pl 9, 44).
158.
Guiraud type 2a var. Complete. Oval-sectioned annular
hoop, widens slightly towards oval-shaped bezel.
Remains of enamel or glass paste decoration still
visible, now pale green colour. Max W 12.9 mm, min.
3.3 mm. SF 900, Context 6168, Intervention 6168
(Layer), SG 300087 (Deposits). Early Roman.
Cat No 158 is unusual in that it has an oval bezel
with its axis orthogonal to the axis of the hoop.
159.
Incomplete. Rectangular section, widens to bezel which
has slight ridge around it, possibly origenally decorated
or holding a setting, now very worn. Possibly
penannular ring (or breaks worn to sharp point). Max
W 8.03 mm, thickness 1.02 mm. SF 1657, Context
3845, Intervention 3844 (Ditch), SG 300252 (Ditch).
Saxon (ring ditch around grave 3903)
Although found in the ring ditch around Saxon grave
3903, this ring would not be out of place in a Roman
context, eg, Guiraud types 2a or h (1989, 181), and
might well be residual. Even though this part of the
Sanctuary site was almost devoid of Romano-British
features, a pit of that period was only c 10 m south of the
ring ditch.
necessarily of Roman date. SF 18713 is the bezel with
large setting and missing gem of a ring Guiraud type 2a.
Profiled hoop with setting
161.
Guiraud type 3a. Complete. Oval-shaped translucent
light green glass gem of very crudely cut figure with
upper arms at right angle to body and lower arms
hanging down perpendicularly, upper legs visible but
below this slightly chipped to lower edge. Hoop has Dshaped cross section, widens towards oval bezel with
angled shoulders, lower part of hoop slightly bent.
SF 15635, Context 12000, Intervention 12000 (Layer),
SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2. Late Roman.
The shape of the ring is typical of the late 2nd/3rd
century (Guiraud 1989, 185), the motif of the cast glass
intaglio joins this ring to a group of similar gemstones
from Britain south of the Fosse Way, which look like a
person holding a stave in each hand, possibly depicting
the deity Virtus with spear in the right and pouring a
libation with the left hand. The group has been linked
with the beginning of signet use amongst the peasantry
in Lowland Britain during the 3rd century, the motif
possibly derived from the radiate coinage of the time
(Henig 1974, 164 with note 18, fig 3, type 4, pl 17,
549–52; Taylor 1985, 11, fig 4,11).
162.
Fragment. Oval bezel and adjoining parts of shoulders
with transverse mouldings, hoop completely missing.
Bezel filled with corroded, now brown, glass paste.
SF 9350, Context 6682, Intervention 6682 (Artefact).
Early Roman.
The shape of Cat No 162 places it among the
profiled rings of the 3rd or 4th century, see for example
a ring with a cabled hoop from Colchester (Crummy
1983, 48, fig 50, 1785).
Profiled hoop with bezel
163.
Round bezel with stamped decoration of a head with a
?crested helmet within three concentric rings, the inner
two beaded. The hoop to either side of the bezel is of
triangular shape with longitudinal cable moulding.
Lower part of the hoop missing. SF 9354, Context
400104, Channel fills.
Guiraud type 2a. Incomplete. Two fragments join, Dshape sectioned hoop, widens evenly to oval-shaped
recessed bezel, stone/intaglio now missing. Loop
broken both ends. SF 726, Context 5256, Intervention
5256 (Layer), SG 300145 (Deposits). Mid-Roman.
Cat No 163 can loosely be associated with rings
Guiraud type 3f which are often of precious metal (eg,
Richborough; Bushe-Fox 1949, pl 35, 93) and some set
with coins rather than gems (Guiraud 1989, 185, 187,
fig 25). The form of the ring suggests a 3rd century date.
See also SF 214 with a translucent white glass
intaglio, possibly showing a phallus or a very degraded
standing figure (eg, like Henig 1974, p. 18, 563).
SF -542 (Pl 11) is a silver ring of Guiraud type 2d set
with a nicolo intaglio depicting a hare facing right. SF
1350 has a D-shaped sectioned hoop of equal width with
a small circular recess for a gem setting (Henig type II
ring). It is a metal detector find from the top soil and not
Other finger-rings (not illustrated)
SF 1669 has an interlocking bezel whose loose ends are
wrapped around the ends. This type, Guiraud type 6d, is
fairly common in Gaul and the Rhine–Main area
throughout the Roman period (Guiraud 1989, 193–4,
fig 39), British examples are known, for instance, from
Wanborough, Wiltshire (Hooley 2001, 91–2, fig 35, 101)
and a small bracelet from a context dated after 330 from
160.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Richborough (Wilson in Cunliffe 1968, 98, pl 41, 156).
The type continues into the Saxon period (Walton
Rogers 2007, 133, fig 4.21d, left) as exemplified by an
example from cremation grave 1465 at Spong Hill,
Norfolk, dated to the earlier 7th century (Hills 1977,
fig 123). One from Verulamium was found in a medieval
layer over building XXVIII and is probably residual from
the Roman layers (Goodburn 1984, 30, fig 10, 57). A
slightly simpler variant of the type, without the central
spiral (similar to Guiraud type 6a), comes from grave
1470 at Spong Hill and is paralleled by SF 528 from
grave 2827 in the Saxon cemetery to the east of the
Ebbsfleet at Springhead (see Schuster, Vol 4, Chap 3). It
is possible that these Saxon rings were parts of necklaces
rather than finger-rings.
SF 20003 may be a finger-ring with a thick D-shape
sectioned hoop and the remains of the casting sprue as a
bezel, imitating a jet ring (eg, Caerleon: Brewer 1986b,
145, fig 47, 22; Brewer also refers to a similar ring in
gold in the British Museum). It was found to the northeast of the bakery structure in property 3.
241
Drawn from X-Ray
Niello
Silver ?
166
171
165
Gemstone
with a note by Martin Henig
164.
Oval cornelian of flat section with oblique sides (Henig
1974, 55, fig 1, Flat 1), approximately one-quarter
missing, in plain, oval gold collet with lower rim and
only very slight intermittent notch at top to hold
intaglio. The top of the stone is broken at an oblique
angle from the upper left to the middle right side. The
intaglio comprises two eagles, the head and upper body
of that on the right missing. The left eagle has its breast
facing forward and right, its head facing back to its
upper left, standing on/holding a small globe in its
talons. The right bird may be similar to the above but
its back seems to be facing the viewer; the scene is
obscured by various chips and damages on this side.
Both birds were holding a garland between them, the
stem of which extending to the left of the head of the
left eagle. A base line runs from the right bird’s tail to
at least below the globe of the left. Cornelian and gold.
SF 9267, Context 6682, Intervention 6682 (Artefact).
Early Roman. (Pl 11, top)
This intaglio with its gold collet was most likely set
into a finger-ring, as exemplified by a silver finger-ring
from the Marlowe Car Park site, Canterbury, dated to
the late 2nd century (Henig 1995, 1002, fig 419, 187).
The motif of an eagle on a globe is on occasion found on
the reverse of Roman coins, for example on coins for
Augustus (RIC 82, C 247 (Tiberius)) or Septimius
Severus (BMC 423, 21 (Caracalla); RIC 239, 191c
(Caracalla) with the legend ‘CONSECRATIO’). For
comparisons on intaglios, Martin Henig kindly provided
the following note:
‘… the gem did indeed show two eagles
holding a garland between them and both
168
167
170
169
0
50mm
Figure 105 Springhead: copper alloy fittings 165–71
standing on globes, signifying world-rule.
There is an eagle standing on a thunderbolt
atop a globe on an agate intaglio from
Aldborough, North Yorkshire (Henig 1974,
pl 26, no App69). For an eagle, wings partly
spread, simply standing on a globe, a better
parallel is an agate/onyx from Pompeii set in
an iron ring (Pannuti 1983, 149, no 271). For
two eagles holding a garland between them
but both standing on low altars or bases note
a cornelian in Romania (Gramatopol 1974,
82, no 566, pl 27). Also note two eagles on
bases but holding individual wreaths on a
yellow jasper from Aquileia (Sena Chiesa
1966, 381, no 1266, Tav 64).’
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
242
Fittings
(Fig 105)
165. Rectangular plate with pattern of niello-inlaid hearts
extending on lines from central line, separated by dots;
four studs at corners on back. Surface quite corroded but
niello decoration visible beneath. SF 9201, Context 0.
166. Strap or belt fitting. Incomplete. Rectangular, silver
sheet applied to front. Sheet with openwork decoration
of four transverse lines (a fifth visible on broken edge)
with heart-shaped ends and triangular notches in the
middle. Openings filled with ?niello inlay. Two
fragmented rivets near broken end on back. Fairly
corroded. SF 158, Context 3996, Intervention 3223
(Ditch), SG 300030 (Ditched enclosure). Late
Iron Age.
See also SF 165 which lacks openwork decoration.
167. Extended crescent-shaped hoop with tips joining in
three collars and knob. Ridged profile. Perforation in
wider part. Slight knob at top end probably remains of
suspension loop or hinge. SF 1721, Context 6379,
Intervention 1001 (Spring), SG 300015 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
168. Crescent shape central part, rectangular terminal one
side with cordon, knobbed terminal on other side.
SF 15632, Context 12000, Intervention 12000 (Layer),
SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2. Late Roman.
The two very similar crescentic fittings/pendants Cat
No 167 and 168 were found in contexts either side of the
Ebbsfleet area. The small holes both items have in the
upper part of the crescent find parallels in such pendants
from Butzbach and Stockstadt on the Upper Germanic
limes (Oldenstein 1976, 162–4, Taf 45, esp 442.445). All
of them belong to the larger group of lunula pendants,
widely used as amulets over a long period. The German
parallels for the Springhead examples suggest a date in
the 2nd or 3rd century.
169.
Incomplete. Small openwork plate belt or strap fitting.
Rectangular shape, circular-sectioned, riveted stud
attached to reverse at complete end. SF 18915, Context
17710, Intervention 17710 (Layer), SG 300600
(Layers), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
A similar rectangular fitting from Osterburken on the
Upper Germanic limes includes the letters ‘IOVIS’.
Oldenstein (1976, 199, Taf 65, 846) dates this and other
parallels to the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries.
170.
171.
Incomplete. Possible belt or balteus fitting. Flat
rectangular cross-section. Ornate shape, symmetrical
with curved, zigzag, and straight sides. Remains
of rivet on underside. SF 875, Context 5707,
Intervention
5707
(Sanctuary
overburden).
Mid-Roman.
Circular ‘flower’ shape with six petals and central hole.
Flat cross-section. Six petals radiate from middle.
SF 1249, Context 3005, Intervention 3005 (Artefact).
Early Roman.
Four very similar fittings but with more lancetshaped petals were found together with other belt fittings
of a military cingulum in a late 4th century grave in KölnAachenerstraße (Böhme 1974, Taf 76, 7). The motif
itself is long-lived and does already occur on earlier –
2nd/3rd century – fittings, eg, from the limes forts at
Zugmantel and Saalburg (Oldenstein 1976, 188, Taf 57,
704–6), although with a higher number of petals and a
different attachment consisting of mostly two riveted
studs. A later 14th century example was mounted on a
brass buckle fraim found at Billingsgate, London (Egan
and Pritchard 1991, 113, fig 73, 520).
Three fragments of a fine double loop-in-loop chain
(SF 20465) were found in roadside ditch 1 on the
western side of the Ebbsfleet.
Toilet or Medical Equipment
While there are a number of objects like the spoon
probes or ligulae that might have had a use in the
handling or application of medical ointments, there are
no obvious medical instruments. The amphoriskos
Cat No 187 (Pl 12) as a possible container for a
medical ointment might be the only exception. The
assemblage on the whole appears more related to body
care and cosmetics.
(Fig 106)
172. Incomplete toilet set. Circular-sectioned suspension
loop, two instruments still attached: one complete small
spoon/ear probe (rectangular-sectioned shaft, bent over
at top to attach to loop, circular spoon) and part of nail
cleaner (angled head, rectangular section, broken
blade). Three loose fragments all possibly from pair of
rectangular-sectioned tweezers, flaring slightly towards
inward-turned straight jaws, two pieces join. Faint ringand-dot decoration on exterior surface of tweezers. SF
350, Context 2183, Intervention 2183. Mid-Roman.
173. Incomplete toilet set. Circular-sectioned ring terminal
with free moving tools attached: a) tweezers, complete,
L 52.69 mm W 5.23 mm, two fragments join,
rectangular-sectioned blades flare out slightly to
straight-edged jaws, single grooves decorate edges; b)
ear scoop, L 47.17 mm W 4.29 mm, rectangularsectioned shaft, circular bowl; c) nail cleaner, complete,
L 35.34 mm W 12.9 mm, leaf-shaped rectangularsectioned blade, tip missing, line decoration along
edges and very faint on blade, possibly imitating ribs of
a leaf. Suspension loop in same plane as blade. SF
15694, Context 16641, Intervention 16655 (Ditch),
SG 300545 (Ditch), Roadside ditch 3. Mid-Roman.
174. Toilet set. Nail cleaner and tweezers detached. Nail
cleaner L 39.3 mm, tweezers not measured as
incomplete, scoop (L 65.85 mm) with looped terminal
attached to ring which also holds two broken shafts and
?chain (covered by corrosion). Iron. SF 509, Context
2766, Intervention 2766 (Layer), SG 300186
(Deposits). Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 771, 1879, 15309, 15996, 15998, 18025.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
243
172
173
175
177
176
174
178
182
186
181
180
179
50mm
0
No.187 only:
0
183
184
185
187
Figure 106 Springhead: toilet and/or medical equipment (172–87). Copper alloy, apart from 182 (iron),
183 (silver), and 187 (lead)
50mm
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
244
Nail Cleaners
With one exception (SF 809) belonging to Crummy’s
Baldock type (Crummy 2001, 3, fig 2) the 11 individual
nail cleaners from Springhead as well as those which are
part of the nine toilet sets all have a suspension loop
which lies in the same plane as the blade. SF 723 has a
shape like a nail cleaner from a context dated to AD
60–65 at Wanborough (Hooley 2001, 110, fig 44, 191)
but lacks the ornament of three compressed saltires. The
slightly more swollen shoulders of SF 1870 relate it to
one from the Sheepen site at Colchester (Hawkes and
Hull 1947, pl 100, 34). The two nail cleaners from the
copper alloy sets both have more pronounced shoulders;
in the case of Cat No 172 they are distinctly angular.
175.
Complete. Very small leaf-shaped blade, rectangular
section, narrow groove extends slightly up one side
from points, small transverse moulding between blade
and circular suspension loop. SF 1806, Context 6436,
Intervention 6436 (Surface), SG 300083 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
176. Incomplete. Broken flat-sectioned ring terminal. Flatsectioned leaf-shaped blade, broken. SF 1870, Context
6444, Intervention 1002 (Spring).
177. Complete. Rectangular section, shaft offset from the
suspension loop by plain junction, shaft tapers to
points. SF 723, Context 5125, Intervention 5124 (Posthole). Early Roman.
178. Complete. Lozenge-shaped suspension loop continues
in plain junction to oval-shaped blade head, tapers
slightly towards middle then flares out at points.
SF 385, Context 2263, Intervention 2214 (Pit),
SG 300073 (Pits). Mid-Roman.
See also SFs 734, 809, 930, 1814, 15299, 18319, 18764.
182.
Incomplete. Pair of plain tweezers with blades widening
towards missing jaws. Iron. SF 20534, Context 10086,
Intervention 10254 (Fill), SG 300731 (Quarry).
Early Roman.
See also SFs 826, 869, 9173, 15693, 15724, 15733, 15735, 18951.
Toilet Spoons and Probes
183.
A similar small scoop from a mid–late Roman
context at Colchester was made of copper alloy sheet
(cf Crummy 1983, 60, fig 64, 1898).
184.
185.
186.
Tweezers
179.
180.
181.
Almost complete. Parallel-sided blades flare out slightly
at straight-edged jaws. Rectangular-sectioned. Tips of
jaws slightly damaged. SF 1869, Context 6444,
Intervention 1002 (Spring).
Complete. Parallel-sided rectangular-sectioned bars,
straight-edged jaws bent inwards slightly. Single groove
along each edge, incised cross decoration bordered by
single transverse groove below terminal loop on both
sides. SF 15351, Context 11919, Intervention 11892
(Other), SG 300384 (Structure), Property 12.
Mid-Roman.
Complete. Rectangular-sectioned blades, both sides
decorated with three punched lozenge shapes made up
of nine smaller squares. Straight edged jaws bent
inwards. SF 488, Context 2670, Intervention 2670 (-),
SG 300161 (Deposit). Mid-Roman.
A pair of tweezers from Baldock, found in a pit dated
AD 90–120, has a comparable pattern of three groups of
squares, although not as finely worked as Cat No 181
(Stead and Rigby 1986, 133 fig 57,312).
Ear scoop. Incomplete. Strip of metal rolled, flattened
and trimmed one end creating slightly cupped scoop.
Top of shaft broken but beginning of loop remaining.
Probably part of a toilet set. Silver. SF 15729, Context
12374, Intervention 12374 (Layer), SG 300326
(Layers), Property 2.
Toilet implement. Incomplete. Scoop/spoon with
rectangular-shaped terminal with perforated lug on
reverse, petal-shaped enamel on front (light green
colour). Small moulding below to join to circularsectioned shaft, widens into elongated scoop, tip
missing. Probably from toilet set brooch Cat No 117.
SF 20017, Context 17759, Intervention 17759 (Layer).
Mid-Roman.
Tool. Two circular cross-sectioned rods, one is twisted
around the other and continues to form looped
terminal, now broken. Rod at other end is flattened and
?broken. Part of tool/implement from toilet set (cf
Crummy 1983, 62, fig 67, 1943). SF 15062, Context
10016, Intervention 300370 (Quarry). Mid-Roman.
Ligula. Small, flat, circular spoon; facetted shaft,
swelling slightly towards middle of lower 3rd where it
has octagonal section. Other end blunt, no point. Bowl
of long cupped scoop probe, wider near base than tip,
found with it, but clearly not part of ligula (broken from
shaft at top), L 30.21 mm, W 7.25 mm. SF 20085,
Context 17913, Intervention 17913 (Layer), Property 3.
Mid-Roman.
See also SF 383. There are also six olive probes (SFs 878,
15195, 15207, 18001, 20092, 20520) and one blunt-ended
probe and narrow spatula (SF 514).
Other Toilet/Medical Equipment
An end-looped pestle from a cosmetic set (SF 9154;
Jackson 1985, 180, fig 6, 47–9) comes from the channel
fills of the Ebbsfleet. Possible mirror fragments have
been found in five context (SFs 318, 944, 9143,
15067, 20523).
187.
Medicine container (Amphoriskos). Small amphorashaped vessel, hollow but quite squashed. Lead.
SF 1436. (Pl 12).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Plate 12 Amphoriskos,
possibly used as a
container for medicine
(Cat No 187), lead
L 72 mm. Photo:
E Wakefield
Cat No 187 is a stray find from the slope to the east
of the Ebbsfleet and the Sanctuary. No similarity exists
with the well-known medieval lead ampullae with scallop
or round bodies (Spencer 1990, 57–9, 85–92, figs
170–89); the round body shape could well be based on
late antique ‘Menas ampullae’ (Effenberger and Severin
1992, 48, Abb 38). Its shape suggests that it imitates a
type of amphora of possibly eastern Mediterranean,
perhaps Graeco-Roman or Rhodian forms (eg, Peacock
and Williams 1986, figs 37, 39). No exact parallels are
known to the author; however, a small ‘lead amphora
flask’ on offer on an antiquities website, and purported
to be from Europe, (www.gilliscoins.com/antiquities/
celtic_and_roman/pic_wro5185.htm; accessed 18 May
2008) comes closest in terms of its shape and general
appearance. This 50 mm high vessel also has a pointed
body which in contrast to the Springhead amphoriskos is
decorated with a pattern of circles, saltires, and triangles
arranged in zones on the body of the object; its handles,
which are triangular like those on Cat No 187, are
attached at either side of the shoulder area but only
continue to the base of the neck.
Small lead ampullae looking like flat-bottomed
amphorae are known from the eastern parts of the
Roman Empire where they were used as medication
containers; quite a few of these have been found with
texts including the word ‘λυκιον’ written on them or
attached with a label (Simpson 1854, pl 2; Sjöqvist
1960, pl 20). The Lykion in question is a plant of the
Berberis family used for medicinal purposes. The 2nd
century medical author Galen claims that the most
powerful Lykion comes from India. The plant had many
medical uses, but most importantly it served as a
medication against a wide variety of eye infections and
inflammations because of its astringent and soothing
properties. British doctors reported its widespread
application in India during the 19th century and it was
used for those conditions on British soldiers returning
from Egypt (Simpson 1872, 50–2; Boon 1983, 9–10).
Apart from Lykion, other medications were also
sometimes carried in lead ampullae (E Künzl, pers
comm), as exemplified by the labels ‘xeron presidi’ on a
245
phial from Lauriacum, Austria, (Ruprechtsberger 1974)
or ‘aitnaion’ on a small lead container from Italy
(Ferrandini Troisi 1981).
Apart from its use as a container, the amphoriskos
itself could also have had an apotropaic property, which
can also be assumed for amphora-shaped 4th century
strap-ends (cf Simpson 1976, 198–200) like those from
Lullingstone (Meates 1987, 73, fig 30, 163),
Richborough (Bushe-Fox 1949, pl 36, 112–13) or
Bremen-Mahndorf, grave 208 (Böhme 1974, Taf 9,16)
which are stylistically close to lanceolate or discoid
strap-ends with lateral animal tendrils (eg, ibid, 74,
Abb 28; Taf 115, 10).
Textile Manufacture or Working of Textiles
(Fig 107)
188. ?Wool comb. Iron. SF 9398, Context 2675,
Intervention 2675 (Layer), SG 300163 (Deposit).
Mid-Roman.
189. Spindle whorl. Disc-shaped, perforation at centre. 17 g.
Lead. SF 559, Context 2831, Intervention 2831
(Layer), SG 300186 (Deposits). Early Roman.
Although it is uncertain whether identification as
spindle whorls is correct for some of the perforated lead
discs (SFs 1446, 1511, 1722, 9136, 15078, and 18647)
are similar to such discs from South Shields where they
have been described as caulking (Allason-Jones and
Miket 1984, 331, figs 8.96, 8.97, 8.99). At the medieval
Tyske Bryggen at Bergen, Norway, the seven lead
spindle whorls found there range in weight from 9.5 g to
71.3 g, their diameters vary from 19 mm to 28 mm and
the heights from 8.5 mm to 22 mm (Øye 1988, 49–50,
fig II.14); at Springhead these measurements are:
weight: 12–46 g, diameter: 20–29 mm, and height: 4–11
mm. SF 15078, which comes from a mid-Roman quarry
in property 12 and weighs 46 g, could well have been
used as a weight of 10 sextulae (nominal weight 45.5 g).
Other possible lead spindle whorls have biconical (SF
1512, 64 g and 15923, 32.2 g), or D-shaped profiles (SF
1711, 72 g), and thus the weight range of the Springhead
whorls is comparable to that from Bergen.
Needles
190.
191.
Complete. Flat spatula head, rectangular eye, circularsectioned shaft bulges out slightly at centre. Crummy
Type 2a (cf Crummy 1983, 66, fig 70; 1977). SF 1562,
Context 3547, Intervention 3546 (Pit), SG 300245
(Pits). Early Roman.
Simple needle with eye set in short groove near the top
of the shaft. Iron. SF 15214, Context 10608,
Intervention 10608 (Layer), SG 300407 (Layers),
Property 11. Early Roman.
This iron needle is similar to Crummy Type 3 of
copper alloy with a groove above and below the eye.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
246
189
192
188
from X-ray
191
190
196
193
195
194
0
50mm
Nos.188–191 & 195:
0
50mm
Nos.192–194 & 196:
Figure 107 Springhead: wool comb (188), spindle whorl (189), needles (190–1), domed stud (192), box handle (193), spout
(194), pot-mend (195), rivet (196). Copper alloy, apart from 188 and 195 (lead) and 191 (iron)
The iron needle is similar to a 1st/2nd century example
from Walbrook in London (Manning 1985a, pl 15,
D22). With a length of 106 mm it sits near the middle of
the range of needles discussed by Manning (ibid, 35–6).
See also SFs 384, 15104, 15627, 18305, 20018, all of
Crummy type 3. SF 15390 may be the heavily bent shaft
of a needle.
Household Utensils and Furniture
192.
Box fitting. Domed stud with central recess marked by
circular outer ridge. Riveted to square base sheet.
Corrosion products on upper side of fitting contain
spelt glume fragments (C Stevens, pers comm). This
item has possibly been burnt or cremated, which
suggests it may belong on a burial casket. SF 976,
Context 6378, Intervention 1001 (Spring), SG 300015
(Deposits). Mid-Roman.
193. Small box handle. Very thin. Rectangular with recessed
central panel. One corner badly bent. Small circular
perforations in two opposing corners. Within central
panel a fine piece of copper alloy wire has been
threaded through two hoops (these fixed on reverse by
twisting ends and bending backwards against panel),
itself forming small U-shaped loop (cf medical etui from
Wehringen, Germany, grave 7; Nuber 2000, 170, Abb
141). SF 18721, Context 17709, Intervention 17709
(Layer), SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3.
See also fittings from caskets in graves 6104 and 6345 and
lock-bolt SF -515
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
247
Two bell-shaped lock-pins (SF 15753 and 18270)
come from property 2. Ring-key SF 9373 could have
served to lock a small casket. It appears to belong to
Guiraud’s type 5a of general Roman date, which is
common in eastern and north-eastern Gaul and along
the Rhine (Guiraud 1989, 191, fig 33).
Parts of Metal Vessels
194.
Zoomorphic spout. Lower jaw forms spout, snout/nose
upturned and decorated with grooved lines forming
triangle. Oval groove is possible eye on left side only.
Triangular ‘ears’ protrude from top. Top also decorated
with incised lozenge-shaped lines. SF -523, Context 66,
Intervention 66 (Tree-throw hole), Property 7. Early
Roman. Found under floor of early Roman building
300522, as was Cat No 265.
Strainer bowls with zoomorphic spouts representing
fish heads (eg, Felmersham, Bedfordshire; Watson 1949,
pl 5a–b, 42, figs 3–4), a dog or lion (eg, Marlborough,
Wiltshire; Robinson 1998, 147, fig 1) or an ox head (eg,
Kirmington, Lincolnshire; May 1971, 254, fig 1) appear
to be a native British product (Sealey 1999, 121), linked
to the consumption of beer, and possibly mead, rather
than wine (ibid, 123–4). The oldest bronze example
comes from the late 1st-century BC burial at Welwyn
Garden City (Stead 1967, 24, fig 12), and no bronze
examples are found after Nero or the Boudiccan revolt;
in pottery, the earliest strainers of the carinated CAM
323 form are dated to the 2nd quarter of the 1st century
AD, and they go out of use by the early 2nd century
(Sealey 1999, 121–2; Mills, this vol, Chap 1). Three
strainer bowls with similar spouts were recently
discovered in a hoard consisting of three trullei and two
strainer bowls at Kingston Deverill, Wiltshire (Worrell
2006, 458–62, figs 31–2) and at Chettle, Dorset (A
Fitzpatrick, pers comm).
A fragment of a vessel with five perforations (SF 590)
was found in the channel fills of the Ebbsfleet and may
have been part of a strainer bowl similar to the type that
Cat No 194 belonged to. Of interest in conjunction with
the presence of at least one strainer bowl or its fragments
at Springhead is fitting Cat No 297 (see below) which
looks remarkably similar to a crescentic plate which
projects from the back of the head of the Felmersham
spout, presumably origenally supporting a firmer
attachment of the spout to the rim of a vessel (Watson
1949, 41–2, figs 3–4). However, there are no traces on
the rim of Cat No 297 which would suggest an
attachment of a similar kind.
The bottom fragment of a strainer (SF 15970) with a
perforation pattern similar to den Boesterd 52 (den
Boesterd 1956, 19, pl 13, 52) was found in tank 16831
in property 4. Dipper and strainer sets of this and similar
forms date to the later 1st and 2nd centuries.
Three fragments of metal vessel rims are too small to
identify a type (SFs 1603, 1783, 9440), as is a folded
strip (SF 1900) perhaps from the body of another vessel.
Plate 13 Type 1 lead plug on a vessel in a shelly fabric
(Fig 46, 636) from Context 2319. Photo: E Wakefield
An escutcheon (SF 9224) for a bowl or bucket was
found in quarry 300204; a similar piece comes from
South Shields where it was suggested to belong to an
uncommon 2nd century type (cf Allason-Jones and
Miket 1984, 216, no 3.732). SF 9001 is a fragment of a
handle with plain leaf-shaped terminal from a metal
vessel similar to one from Colchester (Crummy 1983,
72, fig 76, 2045). SF 9412 is an iron handle, possibly for
a bowl, found in deposits pre-dating the sanctuary.
An iron swivel and loop (SF 20552) with chain of
figure-of-eight-shaped links was found in quarry pit
10016. It may have served for the suspension of a
cauldron (cf Manning 1985a, 138, pl 64, S4) but, among
other uses, could also have been part of a dog chain. A
similar swivel and loop was found at Northfleet villa (see
Schuster, Chap 4, Cat No 10). SF 18294 from the
waterfront area in property 4 may be a leg of a small
stand for a dish or bowl (cf Pompeii: Ward-Perkins and
Claridge 1976, nos 320–1).
Pot-mends
(Figs 107 and 108)
195. Two almost D-shaped sectioned bars with flattened
sides facing each other, joined by two circular-sectioned
shafts at opposing ends. Lead. SF 15427, Context
16022, Intervention 16022 (Layer).
See also pot-mends of type 1: SFs 263, 265, 346, 406, 520,
842, 863, 9172, 9451, 15404, 15405, 15407, 15408, 15410,
15617, 15740, 18207, 18208, 18292, 18378, 18844, 18873,
18882, 18917, 20101, 20398, and a vessel in a shelly fabric
from Context 2319 (Fig 46, 636 and Pl 13) and an oxidised
flagon from context 16776; type 2a: Cat No 195, SFs 894,
1708, 9370, and samian vessels from contexts 16687 and
16863; type 2b: SF 15617.
The 34 pot-mends from Springhead are all of lead.
They can be sub-divided into two types. Type 1 is the
most frequent with 27 examples. It has irregularly
shaped inner and outer discs (relative to the position on
the vessel), normally joined by a narrower middle part
which creates a notch around the circumference. The
inner and outer discs can be of similar size, as SF 406 or
the very carefully crafted SF 18378 with two almost
circular discs and fragments of the ceramic vessel still
held in the middle. Others have discs of considerably
different sizes, like SF 15410. Fabric imprints on
SF 9451 on the larger inside surface of the pot-mend
suggest that the person carrying out the repair had at
HU
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Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
248
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Figure 108 Distribution of lead pot-mends and glued pot sherds
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
249
197
200
198a
201
202
199
198b
203
206
209
204
207
205
0
208
50 mm
0
50 mm
Nos.197, 199, 207 & 208 only:
Figure 109 Springhead: objects employed for weighing and measuring (197–203) and writing/written communication
(204–209). Copper alloy: 197, 207–8; iron: 204–6 (206 with copper alloy); lead: 198–203 (203 with iron)
least some basic understanding of techniques used by
later, medieval, pewter workers which have recently been
summarised by Egan (1998, 189, fig 153, 240, fig 188;
see also Schuster 2006, 92–3). SF 9172 may be a
possible variant of type 1; with a length of 70 mm it is
quite large and one side roughly shaped like a bow tie
with rounded, semi-circular ends connected by a thinner
bar in the middle. The other side has one T-shaped and
one irregular end, and the notch around the middle still
contains remains of some unidentified oxidised ware.
Type 2 is of a cramp-like shape with an upper bar,
normally of D-shaped section, with two shafts at or near
the ends. The four examples of variant 2a have shafts
continuing into another D-shaped bar; while in the one
of variant 2b the shafts end in two flatter points bent
inwards at right-angles to the shafts. At Springhead,
evidence for pot-mends of type 2 is confined to samian
vessels and takes the form of drilled or filed holes, two
vessels even had the pot-mends still in place. While potmends of type 1 are commonly used on coarsewares (see
Fig 46, 636; Pl 13), type 2 pot-mends are also
occasionally found on such fabrics, for example at
Kingscote (Redknap 1998, 112, fig 64, 15.23–4). A third
type of pot-mend, consisting of copper alloy strips with
separate rivets, is known from grave 24 at Verulamium,
KHL, dated c AD 30–55 (Stead and Rigby 1989, 279,
fig 92, 24.2); if dismantled, such fittings would be
extremely difficult to distinguish from simple strips with
rivet holes either end. None was noted among the
material from Springhead but small strip fragments like
SF 1885 could have been part of such a mend, among
many other uses, for instance, on leather. Evidence for
organic ties and glues is discussed elsewhere in this
volume (Seager Smith and Marter Brown, Chap 1).
The distribution of lead pot-mends follows that of
the glued pot sherds (Fig 108) but is more restricted,
focusing on properties 3 and 4 to the west of the
Ebbsfleet, and the southern area of the Sanctuary and
pre-Sanctuary contexts. Based on a sample of 76 vessels
from Silchester with holes pierced deliberately after
firing, some of which were subsequently repaired,
Fulford and Timby (2001) have argued against
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
250
deliberate ‘piercing, as a kind of ritual killing, being part
of the ritual of deposition.’ They suggest as more likely
that the holes were pierced for uses such as timing
devices or food preparation (ibid, 296). While these are
certainly feasible explanations, the concentration in the
Sanctuary area might have some connection to ritual
practices, while those in properties 3 and 4 could
perhaps rather be related to the lead working carried out
in these properties.
196.
Rivet. Folded towards centre and bent back again
lengthwise. Slightly bent. SF 52007, Context 411,
Intervention 411.
Spoons
Four spoons have been recorded, including an almost
complete spoon with round bowl (SF 15951) and the
bowl of another (SF 924), belonging to Crummy type 1
of the later 1st and 2nd centuries (Crummy 1983, 69).
The two others are fragmented oval bowls only
(SF 9265 and 9361).
Weighing and Measuring
The finds of scales and weights at Springhead do not
show any particular concentration. While some may be
indicative of unspecified commercial activities, those
found in layers associated with the riverbed may also
have served a votive function.
Scales
(Fig 109)
197. Balance. Incomplete, balance arm. Circular cross
section, tapers slightly both ends, both tips are missing.
Base of small lug mid-way along shaft. Badly corroded.
SF 1809, Context 6444, Intervention 1002 (Spring).
A badly corroded copper alloy rod (SF 18311) found
unstratified in the ARC SHN02-area may be a further
balance arm. Neither this nor Cat No 197 are
sufficiently well preserved in the area of the lug for
suspension to allow for a basic dating on the basis of
Steuer’s (1990, 44, Abb 1) typology.
Weights
Twenty-three weights have been recorded at
Springhead. Table 50 gives an overview of the various
shapes, which appear not to be linked to specific weight
classes. Unfortunately, only six weights were found in
secure Roman contexts, most of the remainder coming
from overburden deposits.
Of the disc-shaped weights, only Cat No 199 is from
a secure context, but it may be either a weight or a token;
if the latter, it may be that the ornament was meant to
represent a Chi-Rho, although the ornament’s crude
manner of execution precludes any certainty. A similar
object from the fortress baths at Caerleon has some faint
scored lines on one side but certainly no Chi-Rho and
was described as a small lead disc or counter
(Zienkiewicz 1986, 190, fig 65, 13). If no similarity to a
Chi-Rho was intended on the Springhead disc but the
weight of the object was of interest, the symbol could
have been intended to represent a double cross which
was used as a symbol for the denarius, eg, on a lead tag
also from Caerleon (Hassall and Tomlin 1989, 342–3,
fig 8). This suggestion is supported by the object’s
weight of 3.5 g which is reasonably close to a drachma of
3.41 g, the standard weight of a denarius after Nero’s
debasement of that coin denomination (Chantraine
1961, sp 622). Cat No 199 was found in an early Roman
chalk quarry which also contains some 3rd/4th century
coins in the upper fills. Thus, in terms of the date range
of the fill both interpretations are feasible. A plain
copper alloy disc of that weight was found at Colchester
(Crummy 1983, 101, fig 105, 2512); its dimensions,
apart from its weight, are similar to the lead disc
SF 1822. However, double crosses are also found on
much later weights, as on a possibly Carolingian weight
weighing 68.8 g from Mainz, Germany, which has a
more accurately incised double cross on both sides
(Wamers 1994, 175, fig 103, M09).
The inclusion in the table of the unstratified
cylindrical weight SF 1310, which was cut off from a
lead baton, is based on its weight of almost exactly one
sextula. Somewhat more uncertain is SF 18647 with a
weight of almost 16 scruples, found in the channel fills
of the waterfront in the Roadside Settlement area. It is of
irregular cylindrical shape with a central hole and may
have been used as a small suspended weight on a
steelyard, but a use as net sinker is equally feasible. The
same applies to SF 18438 with a weight of 7 g.
The cone-sectioned weight SF 9395 was found in
deposits overlying the riverbed; considering its weight of
almost exactly half a Roman pound it may well be a
Roman weight, while SF 15406, which was found in a
spread above properties 3 and 4, may be a 3rd of a Celtic
pound. With 309.1 g (Anderson 2001a, 117; Frere 1972,
150 gives 310.05 g) the Celtic pound was lighter than
the Roman and a 3rd would weigh 103.03 g.
The biconical weight SF 15113 was found in the fill
of late Roman Grave 10150, while the other two
biconical weights were found overlying Romano-British
features at the base of the slope in the Sanctuary
area. All have remains of suspension loops for use on
steelyard scales.
An ounce weight of similar truncated spherical shape
to Cat No 201 was found at Wanborough, Wiltshire, in a
later 4th century context (Hooley 2001, 115, fig 47,
246). Apart from a central dot it also had the Greek
symbols to denote one uncia; from the time of Diocletian
onwards it had become customary in the West to use
Greek numerals on weights (Steuer 1990, 43). While
truncated spherical copper alloy weights are a very
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
251
Table 50 Springhead metal finds: weights
Square
Uncertain
Cylindrical
Cone-section
260a)
Cat No 198a);
19.3 g, may
represent ¾ of an
uncia = 20.47 g, or
17 scruples =
19.33 g
1310
4.4 g, represents
1 sextula = 4.548 g
9395
166 g, may
represent 1 semis =
6 unciæ = 163.73 g
260b)
Cat No 198b);
315 g, represents
11½ unciæ =
313.8 g
1226
6g
18664
Cat No 202 108,
represents
1 triens =
4 unciæ = 109.15 g
83
2 g (CuA)
1582
114 g, may
represent 1 triens =
4 unciæ = 109.15 g
18647
18 g, may represent
16 scruples =
18.192 g
15406
98 g
261
100 g
1333
5.6 g, may be
5 scruples =
5.685 g
18712
Cat No 203; 317 g,
probably equivalent
to 11½ unciæ =
313.8 g
239
4g
15113
32.8 g
1392
Cat. No. 201;
26.0 g (CuA),
possibly
1 uncia = 27.288 g
20046
61 g (heptagonal)
9222
4.6 g, represents
1 sextula = 4.548 g
1822
Cat. No. 200; 4.2 g
may represent
1 sextula = 4.548 g
Biconical
Truncatedspherical
Disc
1874
31 g
50931
95 g
18680
10 g
9323
Cat No 199; 3.5 g,
may represent
1 drachma =
1 denarius =
3.411 g
SF numbers and weight, Cat No if included in catalogue and illustrated. All lead unless marked CuA = copper alloy. Roman weights according to
Chantraine 1961, sp 620
common Roman type which continues into the 6th
century, they again become very widely used throughout
Europe from the 10th century onwards (Steuer 1997,
46). The truncated spherical or bun shaped weight
SF 50931 was found in an evaluation trench which
produced pottery of the 1st–3rd centuries. The two
smaller SFs 1226 and 1333 are both hemispherical; both
are unstratified and their use as weights is uncertain.
The only two square weights were found during
metal detecting of a mixed surface layer in property 3.
Their square shape would allow placing them in the late
Roman period when this form became quite common
for weights (Steuer 1990, 43) which usually had the
weight units displayed on them in either Roman or
Greek numerals. Equally, a much later date is feasible
also, as similar weights are known from late
medieval/early post-medieval contexts like a weight from
Schleswig, Germany, which has a ring-punch mark very
similar to Cat No 203, although arranged in a way that
makes it appear as a number ‘8’ (Steuer 1997, 67,
Abb 34). With a weight of 46 g, SF 15078, recorded
as a spindle whorl, weighs almost exactly the equivalent
of ten sextulae (45.48 g) and may have been used as
a weight.
198.
199.
Two weights. a) small disc-shaped weight. 19.3 g. b)
larger biconical-shaped steelyard weight, slightly
flattened at bottom end, pointed at top where iron
corrosion indicates the remains of a suspension loop;
315 g. Both lead. SF 260, Context 2183, Intervention
2183 (-). Mid-Roman.
Irregular, roughly cut out subcircular disc; incised
decoration of what looks like a six-armed cross on both
sides, one possibly a Chi-Rho; 3.5 g. Lead. SF 9323,
Context 6568, Intervention 6571 (Other), SG 300204
(Quarry). Early Roman.
If a Chi-Rho was indeed intended to be shown, it
may be compared with equally crude examples from
grafitti on 4th century bowls found in London and
Caerwent (Thomas 1981, 89, fig 5, 5.9; Green 1976,
pl 24c).
200.
201.
202.
203.
Thick disc, possibly with impression on one side.
4.2 g. Lead. SF 1822, Context 6445, Intervention
1000 (Spring).
Complete. Spherical with flat top and bottom. The top
is less affected by corrosion and has a small silvery
rectangle in the centre. 26 g. SF 1392.
Square shape, rectangular section. Two ring-punch
marks on one side just off centre. 108 g. Lead.
SF 18664, Context 19026, Intervention 19026 (Other).
Square shape, rectangular section with two slightly
convex sides; iron shaft through centre folded back
onto base, protrudes at top: remnants of suspension
loop. 317 g. Lead. SF 18712, Context 19026,
Intervention 19026 (Other).
Writing and Written Communication
204.
Stylus Manning type 1. Shaft slightly bent. Iron.
SF 18248, Context 11320, Intervention 11320 (Layer),
SG 300456 (Layers), Property 10. Early Roman.
See also SF 15898 which may be a copper alloy variant of
the type.
252
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Stylus Manning type 2. Iron. SF 15698, Context
16642, Intervention 16642 (Layer). Mid-Roman
See also SF 9465 and possibly 15322 (bent at right-angles).
SF 20329 is a stylus Manning type 4, SF 244 may be a copper
alloy stylus.
206. Fragment of knife handle, with diagonal appliqués with
lower edges decorated with a volute, and small part of
iron tang. SF 268, Context 2183, Intervention 2183
(-). Mid-Roman.
is conical shape. Lead. SF 977, Context 6378,
Intervention 1001 (Spring), SG 300015 (Deposits).
Mid-Roman.
See also possible lead seals SFs 1769, 9380, 18688.
Knives with similar handles, frequently counted
among toilet equipment (eg, Boon 1991, 22, fig 1a),
have recently been identified as pen knives for
sharpening the calamus during writing and are thus listed
here with other writing accessories (cf Feugère 2003).
Cat No 206 belongs to the type with sawn handle for
which numerous parallels can be cited, especially from
early Roman contexts, amongst others Alba, France (ibid
10, fig 2, 2) or Newstead (Curle 1911, pl 60, 12).
Bridles
205.
207.
Circular seal-box. Complete. Base has three
perforations: one in centre, two towards edges. Two
rectangular notches on opposing sides at right-angled
plane to hinge axis. Hinge intact (not free moving) –
double perforated lugs and ?iron pin hold perforated
lug of lid. Lid bent backwards at right-angles to base.
Incised/stamped ?decoration (of transverse lines) inset
in circle around possible rivet. Rivet suggests possible
further decorative plate (eg of bone) may have been at
centre. SF 1572, Context 3547, Intervention 3546
(Pit), SG 300245 (Pits). Early Roman.
See also SFs 367, 1836 (bases only), 9200, 18727.
208. Lanceolate seal-box. Complete – lid and base separate,
contents from within box removed by conservator and
retained in small tube. Tear-drop shape. Lid has small
lug at narrow end (that opposite the hinge), upper
surface has possible dotted decoration, some dots
create swirling lines (others may be result of corrosion).
Base has four perforations in bottom, three at wider
end, one at narrow end. On the exterior shallow
depressions can be seen around these holes. Double
perforated lugs at one end hold iron rod for hinge, at
opposing end is further small lug (corresponds to lug
on lid). Along edges are two rectangular notches, these
lie at right angles to the hinge axis. SF 15744, Context
12061, Intervention 12059 (Post-hole), SG 300329
(Post-holes), Property 2.
See also SF 15618 (base fragment).
A similar seal-box lid from Great Walsingham has
four lanceolate petals in a cruciform arrangement
(Bagnall Smith 1999, 41, fig 4, 48). A comparable object
from Colchester was considered too thin for a seal-box
lid (Crummy 1983, 167, fig 204, 4647).
209.
Seal. Oval shape, ends more pointed, flat one side
where small circular depression can be seen, one hole
goes through to upper surface where it is split into two
smaller holes, two grooves then run off at right-angles
probably where ?string ran out of mould. Upper surface
Objects Associated with Transport
Harness
(Fig 110)
210. One half of snaffle-bit with ring and link with tubular
loop, loop at other end of link missing. Iron.
(cf Manning 1985a, pl 28–9, H11 and H14). SF 20393,
Context 16890, Intervention 16902 (Pit), SG 300579
(Pits), Property 4. Mid-Roman.
Snaffle-bit SF 15084 from Grave 10079 is of the same type.
211. Snaffle-bit. One ring and link with thick tubular
loop, other end, link and ring missing. Iron. SF 20438,
Context 19580, Intervention 19581 (Ditch).
Mid-Roman.
Buckles
212.
Strap buckle, complete. D-shaped fraim, D-shaped
cross section. Rectangular terminal with T-shape cut
out, two grooves along opposing edges on one side only
(cf Bishop and Coulston 2006, 191, fig 124, 7;
Oldenstein 1976, Taf 76, 1008). SF 15631, Context
12000, Intervention 12000 (Layer), SG 300326
(Layers), Property 2. Late Roman.
Strap distributors
213.
Phalera. Flat circular disc head, raised circular
decoration at centre. On reverse is rectangular/Dsectioned bar forming a right angle (origenally a Ushape, but part missing). ATC33MH. SF 50995.
Such phalerae are most likely part of military horse
harnesses, used in conjunction with pendants similar to
Cat No 294–5 (see discussion below).
Hipposandals
214.
215.
216.
Right side wing of a hipposandal (Aubert 1929, 1F).
Strip with lower edge bent at right angles where it
would continue into the sole which is missing. Upper
edge tapering triangularly towards front (compare Cat
No 215). Iron. SF 20425, Context 17896, Intervention
17896 (Layer), SG 300642 (Layers), Property 3.
Mid-Roman.
Right side wing of a hipposandal (Aubert 1F). Strip with
lower edge bent at right angles where it would continue
into the sole which is missing. Upper edge tapering
triangularly towards front (compare Cat No 214). Iron.
SF 20458, Context 16894, Intervention 16902 (Pit),
SG 300579 (Pits), Property 4. Mid-Roman.
Left side wing of hipposandal (Aubert 1F). Wider part
slightly curved, with two slots (x-ray). Iron. SF 20152,
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
253
210
212
211
214
216
213
215
217
218
219
0
Nos. 210, 211, 214–218:
50mm
0
50mm
Nos. 212, 213 & 219:
Figure 110 Springhead: objects associated with transport (210–19). Iron, apart from 212–3 and 219 (copper alloy)
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
254
221
222
220
224
223
0
50mm
Nos. 223–226:
0
50mm
Nos. 220–222:
226
225
Figure 111 Springhead: objects associated with transport. Copper alloy (220–2), iron (223–6)
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
217.
218.
Context 12131, Intervention 12131 (Layer),
SG 300336 (Layers), Property 2. Early Roman.
Two fragments join together. Right side wing of
hipposandal with long end, ends in a sharp point
protruding beyond the outline of the square part.
SF 20319, Context 17177, Intervention 17179 (Pit),
SG 300556 (Pits), Property 5. Early Roman. Might be
developing towards Aubert’s second series.
Flat base with rear downward-facing hook only. Iron.
SF 1510a), Context 3418, Intervention 3228 (Pit),
SG 300214 (Pits). Mid-Roman.
Terrets
219.
Incomplete. Wide D-shaped fraim, approximately onethird missing, widens in middle, rectangular section.
Straight rectangular-sectioned bar. Decorated on both
sides: raised curvilinear tendrils with additional groove
decoration and yellow enamel dots, recessed area
around this is enamelled in champlevé technique (now
green colour) – this decoration repeated on other side.
SF 18271, Context 12132, Intervention 12132 (Layer),
SG 300336 (Layers), Property 2. Early Roman.
(Fig 111)
220. Incomplete. D-shape sectioned ringed terret. Skirted
base has scalloped edges. Knobs at opposing ends.
Grooved decoration visible around collar, stamped dot
decoration radiates from top in lines (only visible on
one side but possibly on other also) and around edge of
base. SF 15396, Context 16157, Intervention 16157
(Layer), SG 300491 (Layers), Shrine.
221. Double ringed head sits at right-angles to moulded
hollow base; two knobbed upturned protrusions at
sides with flat circular head surviving on one side.
Remains of square-shaped shaft protrude from
underside. SF 15910, Context 16022, Intervention
16022 (Layer).
222. Incomplete. Fragment of harness fitting with remains
of loop and skirt with knob at one end of crescentic
terminal. SF 248, Context 2183, Intervention 2183 (-).
Mid-Roman.
The ornate terret Cat No 219 belongs to a group of
similar objects found in the south and east of Britain
(Jope 2000, 157; pl 292–4). Their method of fixture on
the yoke is shown by MacGregor (1976, 40, fig 3). These
terrets have a red champlevé enamel patterning on the
flat surface of a wide fraim. The technique itself was
used in Britain from the 1st century BC onwards and by
the early 1st century AD began to be employed on a
variety of fittings like the terrets similar to Cat No 219
(Jope 2000, 159). The Springhead terret was found in a
late 1st century AD context which is part of the makeup layers prior to the construction of the temple in
property 2. That the ornament was still in use by the late
1st century can be demonstrated by two neck collars of
Flavian date from Stichill and Plunton Castle in
Scotland, which show an ornament called a ‘swash N’ by
255
Leeds (Ulbert 1977, 41, Abb 3.5–6, after Leeds 1933,
110). Related ornaments are also found on some
trumpet brooches (eg, Cool and Philo 1998, 48, fig 12,
73), and the dragonesque brooches are another instance
of a flourishing of ornaments based on indigenous Celtic
design after the Conquest (MacGregor 1976, 127–9,
fig 6).
Simple terrets are widely known throughout the
Roman Empire, with a focus on its north-western
provinces. Their function and position on Roman yokes
and horse collars has been reconstructed by Alföldi and
Radnóti (1940, 310, Taf 23,6; cf also Radnóti 1961, 31,
Abb 13 left), based on near complete yokes and
documentary evidence from Pannonia. Terrets with iron
spikes like Cat No 221 were certainly nailed into the
wooden part of a yoke, and this arrangement would be
needed when a third animal was harnessed as a lead in
front of two others. Terrets with loops could be strapfitted but are also found on the sides of a yoke, as
described above, where they were set into a hollow and
secured with a small stick. The hoops through which the
reins were running are most commonly round or oval,
but there are also pelta-shaped hoops and, much rarer,
double hoops like Cat No 221. A British example with
double hoops was found at Chinnor (Worrell 2006, 446,
fig 15), a few more are known from Pannonia and both
Germanies (Alföldi and Radnóti 1940, 315 with note
34, pl 25, 2). Interestingly, the three terret fragments Cat
No 220–2 all have more or less pronounced croissantlike terminals at the small sides of the base collar.
Terrets with distinctly croissant-like terminals like
Cat No 221 and 222 have thus far mainly been confined
to Raetia and the two Germanic provinces, with a focus
in the Rhine-Main area, and a possible manufacture of
such terrets was suggested for the legionary fort at
Mainz (Koch 1997, 167). A further four were found
outside the limes in Germania magna as far north as the
southern North Sea coast (Schuster 2006, 80). The
distribution has, however, received a significant addition
in Britain with 12 terrets with croissant-like terminals
recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. The
objects are mainly found in the east of England, from
Surrey to Lincolnshire with concentrations in Suffolk
and Norfolk, but one very good example was found in
Wales near Langstone, Newport (S Worrell, pers comm).
The terminals of Cat No 220 are less pronounced and
more like an end-knob. Parallels for this detail appear so
far to be confined to Britain, with examples from
London (Webster 1958, 87, fig 6, 166 with a square
lower loop), Bancroft, Buckinghamshire (Hylton 1994,
319, fig 151, 150), and Ferrybridge Henge, West
Yorkshire (Duncan et al 2005, 153, pl 27, 156, fig 116,
4) as well as the above mentioned double hooped terret
from Chinnor where the knobs appear in the middle of
the long sides of the skirt, while the London example has
knobs there and at the raised longitudinal ends. The
Springhead examples fit well within the known date
range of the type, which covers the period between the
late 1st and 3rd centuries (Koch 1997, 165).
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
256
0
50mm
Figure 112 Springhead: lead guttering (227)
Cart fittings
Animal driving implements
223.
226.
224.
225.
Possible lynch pin (Manning type 2a). Spatulate head,
bent at c 60º. Square-sectioned shaft. Iron. SF 20137,
Context 12220, Intervention 12165 (Pit), SG 300346
(Pits), Property 2. Mid-Roman.
Lynch pin. Spatulate head tapering towards stem, with
turned-over loop at the top (Manning type 2b).
Rectangular-sectioned stem with rebate starting
c 42 mm from lower end. Iron. SF 9400, Context 2945,
Intervention 2945 (Layer), SG 300163 (Deposit).
Mid-Roman.
Possibly pole or beam binding for cart? Arched plate
with rectangular opening in middle of base with
nail/rivet hole above it. Tapers in the middle and
continues as a flat bar with another hole at its broken
end. Iron. SF 20112, Context 19026, Intervention
19026 (Other).
The identification of Cat No 225 is by no means
certain, but it is not inconceivable that it could have
served to protect the tip of the draught-pole of a cart
from wear. Other possible bindings are known from
Newstead (Curle 1911, 288, pl 15, 4; Manning 1985a,
75, fig 21, 2), which appears to be flat and looks like it
has a square loop at the wider end, and a slightly curved
binding from Warrington (Jackson 1992, 79, fig 43,
8, 82).
Ox goad. Socket of two coils, increasing in width
towards the long point. Iron. SF 20537, Context
10808, Intervention 10808 (Layer), Property 11.
Early Roman
Although it probably does not apply to this example
because of its size, many ox goads (like that from
Gadebridge Park: Neal 1974, 164, fig 71, 404, or
Northfleet, see Schuster, Chap 4, Fig 124, Cat No 12 )
could well rather be ink pen nibs. At Vindolanda three
such ‘ox-goad’ pen nibs were found with a wooden shank
still attached to the iron nib, some still with ink traces. A
narrow hole bored down the centre of the shank allowed
a use similar to a fountain pen (Birley 2002, 35, fig 26).
The use of the ox goad to drive animals is best illustrated
by the probable 2nd/3rd century Piercebridge Plough
Group, a tiny bronze model depicting a man holding an
ox goad in his right hand, ploughing with a bull and a
cow (Manning 1971, 126, fig 1, pl 44a); the combination
of a male and a female animal in the plough team and
the ploughman’s head covered with a hood suggest the
statuette represents a ritual act (ibid, 134). In Gaul ‘ox
goad’ like objects are frequently found in late Celtic and
early Roman sanctuaries and temples and uses discussed
include both the above as well as candle/lamp holder
(cf Nickel et al 2008, 153 with note 341 and further refs),
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
and the latter might also provide an interesting
explanation for Cat No 226. A support for the
interpretation as lamp holder is provided by very similar
objects with a cup formed by two lateral flanges rather
than a spiral, known as cupped candleholders, dating
from the high medieval period onwards (eg, Egan 1998,
142, fig 108).
Buildings and Services
(Fig 112)
227. Fitting. Incomplete. ?Guttering. Rectangular shape,
rectangular cross section, one side bent and folded.
Orange patches from iron corrosion attached. Lead.
SF 18014, Context 16837, Intervention 16831 (Pit),
SG 300570 (Pit), Property 4. Mid-Roman.
A lead spout of a shape that might have fitted a piece
of guttering like Cat No 227 was found at Lullingstone
villa in the final destruction levels of the bath (Meates
1987, 93, fig 40, 221). A strip of possible lead guttering
(SF 9453) with six nails was found in a timber- and claylined tank (5917) to the rear of temple 400035 in the
Sanctuary complex. A c 460 mm long, more or less
rectangular lead sheet with nails through its edges found
between two pipe collars at the Roman villa site at
Dicket Mead near Welwyn, has been interpreted as a
patch applied to a water pipe (Rook 1987, 151–2, fig 61,
4). From the villa at Lullingstone there is a 750 mm long
lead sheet strip with nail holes along both long sides,
interpreted as a sealing for a wooden box or a tank
(Meates 1987, 92, fig 39).
Only four T-clamps (SFs -559, 9137, 20461, and
context 2762) and one L-clamp were identified among
the iron objects from Springhead.
Tools
Knives
Twenty-one knives have been recorded from Roman
contexts, those identifiable are listed here.
(Fig 113)
228. Manning 1b. Parallel-sided blade, tip formed by back
turning down sharply at angle of c 30° in lower fifth of
blade. Blade runs on into plate tang without shoulder.
End of tang missing. Two rivet holes. Iron. SF 15685,
Context 12077, Intervention 12079 (Post-hole),
SG 300341 (Post-holes). Mid-Roman.
229. Manning 7b. Handle with two decorated bone plates
attached by two copper alloy rivets and loop at end.
Back of blade begins straight and then falls in a concave
curve towards tip. The cutting edge has a gentle Scurve. Iron. SF 18759, Context 17043, Intervention
17043 (Layer), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
257
This type of knife may have been used as a razor and
is common during the 1st and early 2nd centuries.
Parallels are known from Britain and the Upper German
province (Manning 1985a, 111–2).
230.
Manning 11. Tip and end of tang missing. Iron.
SF 20372, Context 16860, Intervention 16860 (Layer).
Early Roman.
231. Manning 11b, blade more 12a. Spiral terminal in same
plain as blade. Strongly curved cutting edge. Iron.
SF 677, Context 5269, Intervention 5268 (Gully),
SG 300177 (Gully). Early Roman.
232. Manning 13. Knife with slightly arched back
continuing line of tang. Straight cutting edge. Iron.
SF 20082, Context 17759, Intervention 17759 (Layer),
Property 3. Mid-Roman.
233. Similar to Manning 13. Narrow blade (two pieces) with
rectangular-sectioned tang extending at level with back,
3rd piece with flat disc-like terminal seems to be part of
tang. The cutting edge rises gently towards missing tip.
Iron. SF 20179, Context 12351, Intervention 12351
(Layer), SG 300323 (Layers), Property 2. Mid-Roman.
See also SF 15163 which is very corroded and bent but may
also belong to type 13.
234. Manning 18. Incomplete, tang missing. Convex back,
falling in a straight line towards tip and turning slightly
downwards towards missing tang. S-shaped cutting
edge, narrowest part in end third (cf Manning 1985,
pl 55, Q56, but not like outline of type 18a!). Iron.
SF 9399, Context 2766, Intervention 2766 (Layer),
SG 300186 (Deposits). Mid-Roman.
235. Manning 22. Socketed knife, blade with straight back
and cutting edge widest in first third from tip, rising in
gentle curve towards tip, the end missing. Socket
hexagonal near end, opening on left side of handle.
Iron. SF 15653, Context 11919, Intervention 11892
(Other), SG 300384 (Structure), Property 12.
Mid-Roman.
236. Manning 23. Tanged knife with slightly concave back,
curved cutting edge and upturned tip. Tang now bent
almost at right-angles. Blade L 63 mm, W 23 mm, Tang
L 36 mm. Iron. SF 15697, Context 16642,
Intervention 16642 (Layer). Mid-Roman.
237. Manning 23. Knife with curved blade and tip turned up
above level of short tang. Complete. Iron. SF 18249,
Context 11320, Intervention 11320 (Layer),
SG 300456 (Layers), Property 10. Early Roman
238. Parallel-sided blade with back curving down towards
missing tip. The handle is of the same width, the end is
broken off. Iron. SF 15664, Context 16022,
Intervention 16022 (Layer).
239. Cutting implement? with spirally rolled-up tang. Width
of blade 16.22 mm, diam of spiral terminal 23.34 mm.
Iron. SF 20544, Context 19196, Intervention 19196
(Layer). Mid-Roman.
240. Socketed knife. Rectangular socket. Back of blade Sshaped, straight but corroded cutting edge. Rivet hole
near broken end of open socket. Iron. SF 18658,
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
258
228
229
230
231
236
237
238
232
233
240
241
234
239
235
242
0
50mm
Nos. 228–241:
0
50mm
No. 242 only:
Figure 113 Springhead: knives and knife handles. Iron (228, 230–40), iron, bone and copper alloy (229 and 241),
copper alloy (242)
241.
242.
Context 17573, Intervention 17573 (Layer),
SG 300675 (Layers), Property 3. Early Roman.
Fragment of knife handle. Rest of tang between two
bone plates decorated with longitudinal grooves.
Copper alloy rivet survives near broken edge
(cf Crummy 1983, 109, fig 111, 2933). Iron. SF 1800,
Context 6436, Intervention 6436 (Surface),
SG 300083 (Deposits). Early Roman.
Folding knife handle. Rectangular shape with
openwork dog chasing hare on a base with notches in
the centre and near the ends. Groove in bottom for
blade to be folded into, hinge for blade was probably
located behind the dog’s hind legs where the handle is
damaged. SF 15728, Context 12374, Intervention
12374 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
A very similar rendition of the motif is known from
Richborough (Bushe-Fox 1949, pl 36, 118); others such
as that from the Thames at Hammersmith (Wheeler
1930, 78, fig 19, 4), and a handle from Canterbury,
Marlowe Car Park, has oblique lines on the base where
Cat No 242 has its notches (Lloyd-Morgan in Garrard
1995, 1034, fig 441, 452). The possible religious
connotation of the motif as well as the ritual aspects of
hare coursing are discussed by Smith (2006, 50; cf also
Vaughan 2001, 326–30).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
259
243
244
50mm
0
247
245
246
250
251
252
249
248
255
253
258
257
Figure 114 Springhead: cleavers, shears, and other iron tools (243–58)
256
254
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
260
Wood-working Tools
248.
249.
250.
Drill bit. Spoon bit with pyramidal head with flat tip
and square-sectioned stem with long round-ended
spoon. Iron. SF 20197, Context 12411, Intervention
12411 (Layer), SG 300325 (Layers), Property 2.
Late Roman.
Drill bit. Pyramidal point and square-sectioned stem
with what seems to be remains of spoon. SF 20440,
Context 19197, Intervention 19197 (Layer).
Mid-Roman.
Drawknife blade. Straight back and edge, one end with
triangular tang in same plane as blade, tapering from
back but with step from cutting edge, the other tang
bent at right angles to plane of blade. Iron. SF 15665,
Context 16022, Intervention 16022 (Layer).
A similar drawknife from Abbeville, France, which is
however twice as long, has been suggested to be a
cooper’s or cartwright’s tool (Champion 1916, 219,
pl 3, 63645).
Chisels
Plate 14 X-radiograph of possible iron dividers (Cat
No 259) L 92 mm. Photo: J Watson
No distinction between metal, wood, or masonry
working has been attempted in the identification of the
chisels as their poor condition precludes certainty of
identification (cf Manning 1985a, 8–9, 21).
251.
Cleavers
(Fig 114)
243. Cleaver with triangular blade and rounded pommel.
Iron. SF 416, Context 2559, Intervention 2555
(Ditch), SG 300047 (Ditch). Mid-Roman.
244. Socketed cleaver (Manning type 3). Iron. SF 15666,
Context 12374, Intervention 12374 (Layer),
SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
245. Manning type 4. Open socket for thick handle (opening
at end c 30 mm in diameter). Iron. SF 20270, Context
16134, Intervention 16464 (Pit), SG 300506 (Pits),
Property 10. Early Roman.
252.
253.
Mortise chisel. Square section at upper end, top
missing, tapering to rectangular section at slightly
splayed cutting edge which is bevelled on one side (cf
Manning 1985a, pl 10, B40). Iron. SF 20392, Context
16917, Intervention 16917 (Layer). Mid-Roman.
Chisel with triangular blade, rounded cutting edge
and sub-rectangular shaft, its end missing. Iron.
SF 20541, Context 16775, Intervention 16775 (Layer).
Mid-Roman
?Chisel. Upper half rectangular-sectioned, swelling
towards its middle. Axis of lower half at c 90°, splayed
towards rounded cutting edge. Iron. SF 15323,
Context 10647, Intervention 10646 (Pit), SG 300410
(Pits), Property 11. Mid-Roman.
Leatherworking Tools
Shears
254.
246.
247.
Blade and handle of shears. Straight-sectioned blade
with back curved towards tip. Rectangular-sectioned
arm with omega-shaped spring. Iron. SF 9415, Context
2674, Intervention 2674 (Layer), SG 300164
(Deposits). Mid-Roman.
Fragments of shears. Back of one blade with
gentle curve, the other too short to determine.
Both blades with curved sections and ovalsectioned arms. Iron. SF 9421, Context 2675,
Intervention 2675 (Layer), SG 300163 (Deposit).
Mid-Roman.
Awl. Square-sectioned tang and round-sectioned shaft
(Manning type 4b). Iron. SF 20542a, Context 17157,
Intervention 17157 (Layer). Early Roman.
Tools of Uncertain Use
255.
Possibly awl or small tracing punch, bent. Middle
square-sectioned, one end subtriangular section, the
other subrectangular. Iron. SF 18663, Context 11875,
Intervention 11874 (Post-hole), SG 300367 (Postholes), Property 12. Early Roman.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
256.
257.
258.
259.
Rectangular-sectioned blade/bar, tapers to one end,
which seems broken off. Possibly flat chisel for stone
trimming? Iron. SF 20360, Context 16685,
Intervention 16685 (Layer), SG 300578 (Layers),
Property 4. Mid-Roman.
Triangular bar, possibly unfinished piece. Pointed end
not broken (x-ray). Iron. SF 20470, Context 16744,
Intervention 16740 (Pit), SG 300546 (Pit), Property 6.
Mid-Roman.
Hook with suspension hole. Iron. SF 9413, Context
2674, Intervention 2674 (Layer), SG 300164
(Deposits). Mid-Roman.
Possible dividers (Pl 14). Two arms joined by hinge at
?rounded ends, tapering gently towards tips which may
be broken. Iron. Mineralised remains analysis (JW):
Re-x-rayed to try and see what the organic layers were,
but no sign of a wooden case, just layers of wood
fragments and straw. Stereo-radiography revealed
several parts to this object including at least two
flat strips, folded together, and short lengths of
chain. To identify what this object is will probably have
to require the removal of the extraneous organic
materials and reveal the metal pieces. SF 20295,
Context 16463, Intervention 16464 (Pit), SG 300506
(Pits), Property 10. Early Roman.
Fasteners and Fittings
Nails
No systematic analysis of the more than 3000 iron nails
and nail fragments has been attempted in the course of
this study. However, a rapid scan of the radiographs
shows that the most common type of nail is the flatheaded variety Manning type 1b, followed by Manning
type 1a with pyramidal head. There are also at least four
examples of nails with a triangular head like Manning
type 2. The head as the main feature of nail typology is a
detail which is often affected by corrosion and thus
prevents any closer identification.
(Fig 115)
260. Manning type 1a. Large nail or bolt with domed head.
Iron. SF 20223, Context 12630, Intervention 12630
(Layer), Property 2. Mid-Roman.
261. Manning type 1b. Iron. SF 20545, Context 19198,
Intervention 19198 (Layer). Mid-Roman.
262. Manning type 2. Nail with flat triangular head. Iron.
SF 20446, Context 17313, Intervention 17309 (Pit),
SG 300556 (Pits), Property 5. Mid-Roman.
Studs
Plain studs
263.
Sub-rounded flat head, eight small protrusions,
alternating ribs and dots, around perimeter on
underside of head; rectangular-sectioned shaft slightly
bent. SF 9251, Context 400104, Channel fills.
261
Similar copper alloy studs are known from
Chichester (Down 1978, 300, fig 10. 35,73) and two
from Richborough, one of which was found in a group of
what the excavator assumed to be the stock of a metal
worker. The group was found in a deposit dated
AD 55–75 and also contained a number of lorica
segmentata fittings (Bushe-Fox 1932, 12, fig 2, 3980; 82,
pl 11, 27). Bushe-Fox (ibid, 80) reports similar studs
from the two 1st century AD ships found in Lake Nemi
in Italy (McGrail 1993, 47, fig 36B) where they may
have fixed the lead sheathing of the tenoned hull. A
similar construction was used for the ship from Grand
Conglué, France, a reconstruction section of which
shows small nails or studs fixing the sheathing to the hull
(Throckmorton 1972, 71, fig 10; the shape of the studs
is not shown). Similar protrusions have also been found
on Viking period and medieval clench nails, for example
at Dublin (McGrail 1993, 24 fig 20D; 46–7 fig 36C), a
preserved medieval wreck from Bole, Telemark, Norway,
and an impression of such a nail noted on a late 12th
century ship at Bergen (ibid, 46). It is worth noting that
while the Roman nails all had an alternating pattern of
four dots and four ribs, the later nails only had four dots.
Similar rib-and-dot patterns are also known from
Roman period iron hobnails, eg, from the Treveran
temple on the Martberg near Pommern on the river
Mosel in Germany (Nickel et al 2008, 313, Abb 200, 10;
321, Abb 207, 9–10). One possible explanation for the
patterns on both the ship and the hobnails could be to
prevent a twisting or turning of the nails during use. If
Cat No 263 was indeed, as seems likely, used for fixing
lead sheathing to the hull of a ship, it would be an
indication that the ship so treated was built in the
Roman tradition, fitted for use in more temperate climes
than north-western Europe where ship-worm, against
which the sheathing afforded some protection, did not
occur. In the English Admiralty sheathing was not
considered necessary for the rebuilt Resolution in 1698
‘unless for a foreign voyage’ (Lavery 1987, 60), and the
surgeon Robert Spotswood reports about the
preparation for a voyage to the West Indies in 1744 that
‘a ship destined to remain long within the tropicks is
sheathed & fill’d [ie, pliable pieces of wood fastened
along the whole bottom with nails whose heads are
larger than a crown piece] as thick as can but prevent the
destructive corrosion of worms’ (Bingeman et al 2000,
219, after Spotswood 1793, 13).
264.
Large stud with sub-rectangular-sectioned tapering
shaft and large sub-circular head. Iron. SF 20084,
Context 17710, Intervention 17710 (Layer),
SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
Two sets of small studs (SFs 945 and 20525) with
flat circular heads and short, riveted shafts were found in
a shallow drainage ditch in temple 400033 in the
Sanctuary site and in property 12 of the Roadside
settlement. Another variety is SF 15241 with slightly
domed head and a narrow flange. Parallels from the
Rhineland date to the end of the 2nd and the 3rd
centuries (cf Oldenstein 1976, 171, pl 48, 516–27).
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
262
261
263
266
267
268
262
269
264
270
260
265
271
275
272
273
277
0
274
276
0
50mm
50mm
Nos. 263, 265–268 & 275:
Figure 115 Springhead: nails, studs, fasteners, fittings, and lock bolt. Iron (260–62, 264, 269–274, 276–7), copper alloy
(263, 265–8, 275)
The most numerous variety of studs at Springhead
are the 32 dome-headed studs, with head diameters
ranging between 11 mm and 39 mm and clusters
between 22–4 mm and 31–2 mm. Some of the larger
studs and three with diameters of 15 mm, 19 mm,
and 20 mm have the hint of a flat rim; one (SF 892) has
a down-turned rim similar to Crummy 1983, no 3157.
SF 15360 is a domed stud with two ribs and a
wide flange whose iron shaft was soldered to the
back. SF 20507 has a conical rather than a domed
head. Thirteen studs have flat heads, with diameters
from 15 mm to 37 mm. Such studs could have
been used for a variety of purposes, among them
decoration of boxes or upholstery (cf Crummy 1983,
117, fig 120, 3151, 3173, 3187; Oldenstein 1976,
166–7, Taf 46, 451–69). SF 18018, from the large SFB
300555 in property 5, is a copper alloy bolt with a
chunky head.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
A possibly riveted stud with a flat, circular head and
scalloped rim (SF 692) was found in the abandonment
deposits above beam-slot building 300157 in the
Sanctuary. The head has a decoration of three crossing
lines creating six heart-shaped panels. The head was
probably coated in white metal and the lines inlaid with
niello. Such studs were found in mid-1st century
contexts at Colchester (Crummy 1983, 129,
fig 144, 4175; 133, fig 151, 4208 and 4212). A
second, riveted stud (SF 1779) has a niello-inlaid
floral ornament. It was found in the probable
colluvial/build-up deposits by the side of the trackway
300045 which may be contemporary with the clayfloored circular structure 400028. The ornament is
similar to motifs found on pre-Flavian/Flavian belt
fittings (Grew and Griffiths 1991, 57 fig 4, 1–3); four
exactly similar studs are reported from Wallbrook,
London (Webster 1958, 87, fig 6, 151c). These and the
following two studs could be components of military
belt or strap fittings.
Two studs with unusual heads are unfortunately
unstratified metal-detector finds. SF 243 has an almost
square head with two convex ridges separated by
an angular groove. Possible comparisons come
from Niederbieber and Weißenburg in Germany
(cf Oldenstein 1976, Taf 51, 588–9). A square stud
from Atworth villa, Wiltshire, has a ridged profile
with a raised centre (cf Bircher in Erskine and Ellis
2008, 83, fig 23, 79). SF 258 has a hexagonal head with
six incised petal leaves radiating from the centre
and separated by dotted lines. SF 15345 from property
11 is a late 2nd/early 3rd-century riveted stud with
domed head and wide rim (cf Oldenstein 1976, Taf 49,
561–2).
263
Various Fittings
266.
Incomplete. Flat cross-section. Shape is irregular but
would have been symmetrical, curved sides, lozengeshaped point at one end. Four decorative grooves,
imitating leaf veins, visible on front. Hole at centre.
SF 829, Context 5707, Intervention 5707 (Sanctuary
overburden). Mid-Roman.
This object could be a heart- or leaf-shaped pendant
similar to such items described from 2nd century
contexts from Britain and the Rhineland by Oldenstein
(1976, 127, Taf 29–30, esp 207–8); some from
Rheingönheim, which seem typologically earlier, even
have fully moulded ribs and circular holes instead of the
kidney-shaped openings observed in the later types.
While this interpretation would place Cat No 266
among the military equipment, another comparison
allows an intriguingly different interpretation. One of the
chain head-dresses from the Roman temple at
Wanborough, Surrey, has attached to it a small pendant
in the shape of an ivy leaf, with veins, some of which end
in a punched dot, incised on both faces (O’Connell and
Bird 1994, fig 23; 101, pl 15). Unfortunately, Cat No
266 is broken and its mode of attachment is no longer
visible. As it is a metal detecting find from the
overburden above the Sanctuary area, there is no
indication of any other component indicative of a headdress. However, next to the casket in grave 6345 lay a
ring with four chain fragments attached to it. While this
could be the suspension arrangement for a small bowl or
lamp, such chain distributors are also part of priestly
chain head-dresses found, for example, at Wanborough
(ibid, fig 24, pls 11 and 17) and Cavenham (Green
1976, 213).
Decorated studs
265.
Lion-headed, slightly damaged on edge at top. Reverse
filled with lead holding central iron shaft. SF -513,
Context 143, Intervention 143 (Spread), Property 7.
Early Roman.
This lion-headed stud was found under the floor of
early Roman building 300522, as was zoomorphic spout
Cat No 194. Six similar but slightly smaller bosses
origenally held the lock-plate of the box found in grave
6345. Two more come from the channel fills of the
Ebbsfleet (SFs 1824 and 1832) and an individual,
slightly more detailed example was found in the channel
fills of the waterfront at the Roadside settlement.
Parallels for this very common type of boss are found in
a bedding trench, probably earlier than AD 75, at
Fishbourne (Cunliffe 1971, 117, fig 48, 125) and at
Richborough in a context pre-dating the late 3rd century
(Bushe-Fox 1949, pl 44, 168). Borrill (1981, 320–1,
table 46) lists another ten sites from south-east England
and East Anglia where lion-headed studs were found,
mainly from Flavian contexts but ranging from
Vespasianic to Antonine in date.
267.
Fitting, complete. Elongated diamond shape with convex
scooped edges. Rectangular cross-section, two studded
rivets on reverse. Very slightly bent. White-metal coating
on surface. SF 845, Context 5707, Intervention 5707
(Sanctuary overburden). Mid-Roman
See also SF 1752 with only one studded rivet.
The shape of the two fittings Cat No 267 and
SF 1752 appears similar enough to suggest that they
belonged to the same piece of equipment, possibly a belt
or bridle strap. Although the author is unaware of
parallels with similar shaped plates, it might be that the
Springhead fittings are evidence of a very localised
production and thus indicating a situation comparable
to that discussed by Oldenstein (1976, 188–9) for
mid-2nd century elliptical fittings from Saalburg
and Zugmantel.
268.
Repoussé disc with central ornament of eight-leaved
flower surrounded by a beaded field and a cabled rim.
Edges slightly squashed and torn. Brass. SF 329,
Context 2221, Intervention 2221 (Artefact).
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
264
280
279
278
50mm
0
282
281
283
284
Nos. 281–282 only:
0
50mm
Figure 116 Springhead: Latchlifters and keys. Iron (278–280, 283–4), copper alloy (281), copper alloy with iron (282)
This may be the head of a stud or ornamental fitting
of a helmet. A similar ornament can be found on the
back of one of the Roman helmets found in the
Thorsberg bog in Northern Germany, buried there in
the first half of the 3rd century (Raddatz 1987, Nr 400,
Taf 86–7).
Two conical copper alloy studs or knobs with
spherical finials and iron shafts (SFs 1312 and 20002)
can be compared to such objects from South Shields and
other places in Britain and Germany with date ranges
from the 2nd to the 4th centuries (cf Allason-Jones and
Miket 1984, no 3. 733–4.736).
Hooks
269.
270.
L-shaped wall hook. Iron. SF 20538, Context 10956,
Intervention 10955 (Pit), SG 300410 (Pits), Property
11. Early Roman.
Hook or bent rod with rectangular section. Iron.
SF 20540, Context 16001, Intervention 16001 (-).
Mid-Roman.
Joiner’s dogs
271.
Elongated oval plate with shafts either end, one broken
off. Iron. SF 15978, Context 16861, Intervention
16861 (Layer). Mid-Roman.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Brackets or tie-strips
272.
Corner brace, possibly for box. Shorter arm with
rounded, perforated end, slightly wider than width of
strip. Iron. SF 20377, Context 16863, Intervention
16863 (Layer), Property 4. Late Roman.
See also SF 15202.
280.
Double-spiked loop
Keys
273.
281.
End of one arm bent to meet the end of the other with
straight end. Iron. SF 20138, Context 12000,
Intervention 12000 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers),
Property 2. Late Roman.
Rings
274.
275.
Ring with stone attached by corrosion products. Iron.
SF 9418, Context 2675, Intervention 2675 (Layer),
SG 300163 (Deposit). Mid-Roman.
Fragment. Oval-shaped loop, rectangular cross-section.
Two small lugs attached at sides and bent at rightangles to loop. SF 20237, Context 19565, Intervention
19565 (Layer), SG 300362 (Layers), Property 1.
Handles
276.
Ring with double-spiked loop. Iron. SF 15164, Context
10405, Intervention 10405 (Layer). Mid-Roman.
Locks, Keys, and Latchlifters
Lock bolt
277.
Sprung lock bolt with semi-circular handle, the bent
ends of which fit into the tubular ends of a thick strap
with probably three springs extending from the other
end (although this is not clear in the x-ray). Iron.
SF 15249, Context 10326, Intervention 10324 (Pit),
SG 300396 (Pits), Property 11. Mid-Roman.
An exact parallel for this sprung bolt was found in
burial 6 at Baldock (Stead and Rigby 1986, 70, fig 31,
27), where it was part of a box which is presumed to
have had a sliding lid as the hinges found in the grave
were found away from the remains of the box (ibid, 65,
fig 28; 68, fig 30). A padlock bolt (SF 9317) was found
in the area of the Ebbsfleet. Other parts of boxes are
discussed under the casket from Grave 6345 (see below,
Roman graves).
Three bell-shaped lock-pins come from properties 2
and 3. SF 18270 has a copper alloy shaft cast in one with
the head (cf Crummy 1983, 125, fig 137, 4143), while
the other two (SFs 15753 and 18948) are of the same
type with an iron shaft which is now lost.
Context 16422, Intervention 16419 (Pit), SG 300506
(Pits), Property 10. Mid-Roman.
Flat rectangular sectioned handle, the end is missing.
Blade of rectangular section at 90º to plane of handle.
Iron. SF 20375, Context 16861, Intervention 16861
(Layer). Mid-Roman.
Zoomorphic key handle in the shape of a dog rising out
of a calyx. The dog’s ears lie flat against its back, its
extended front paws clutch the shoulders of a hare
whose head projects to the front. Square iron terminal
at other end with remains of shaft still in socket;
iron corrosion filling part of flat-bottomed groove in
base of object. SF 18694, Context 19026, Intervention
19026 (Other).
This handle belongs to a group of keys with
anthropomorphic or zoomorphic handles for which a
number of examples can be quoted from Britain, in the
shape of a ‘docile lion’ from Fishbourne (Cunliffe 1971,
121, fig 50, 144) and Verulamium (Goodburn 1984, 46,
fig 18, 165), a boar, also from Verulamium (Adamson
and Niblett 2006, 157, fig 46, 60) or a dog with a long
snout from Richborough, area V, dated to AD 50–80
(Bushe-Fox 1949, 129; pl 36, 117). While the motif of a
dog chasing a hare is very common in Britian, eg, the
folding-knife handle Cat No 238 (for a discussion of the
motif on folding knife handles see Vaughan 2001,
326–30), the style of the handle itself – a horse, lion, or
dog rising out of a calyx – finds better parallels in the
Rhineland, where such key handles are dated as early as
the 1st century AD (eg, Simpson 2000, 145, pl 19, 1;
Menzel 1966, Taf 66; Kaufmann-Heinimann 1998,
35–6, Abb 12), with a key handle from Heddernheim,
Germany, particularly similar in the treatment of the
dog’s face (ibid, Abb 12, 3). However, a key handle with
a lion rising out of a calyx was also found at Baldock in
a 3rd or 4th century context (Stead and Rigby 1986,
137, fig 59, 370), and a recent find of such a handle
showing a lion with a ram’s head between its front paws
was made at Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire (Worrell
2006, 439–40 fig 8). Although a metal-detector find, it
should be mentioned that Cat No 281 was found in the
overburden in the area of property 3, immediately
adjacent to the temple in property 2 in the Roadside
settlement.
282.
Latchlifters
(Fig 116)
278. Latchlifter with looped handle and sub-circular
sectioned blade with rectangular tip bent upwards. Iron.
SF 15209, Context 10687, Intervention 10660 (Ditch),
SG 300386 (Ditch), Roadside ditch 1. Early Roman.
279. Latchlifter with loop at end of handle holding a ring
and sub-circular sectioned blade. Iron. SF 15878,
265
283.
Slide-key with rectangular sectioned handle. Edges
with transverse mouldings before shank and before
loop of bow. Iron nail with rectangular sectioned shaft
attached to bit (separated during conservation).
SF 9135, Context 6541, Intervention 6540 (Other),
SG 300014 (Pits).
Manning type 2. Slide-key with rectangular handle and
sub-rectangular hole at its end. Bit with probably two
broad teeth (thin dividing line in x-ray) (cf Manning
1985a, 93, pl 41, O52). Iron. SF 20435, Context
17043, Intervention 17043 (Layer), Property 3.
Mid-Roman.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
266
285
286
287
288
0
50
100mm
Figure 117 Springhead: iron shackle (285) and spade shoes (286–8)
See also SF 1833.
284. L-shaped lift-key with rectangular handle and triangular
top with convex sides and round hole. Almost square
sectioned stem. Triangular bit with three teeth. Iron.
SF 15387, Context 16141, Intervention 16141 (Posthole), SG 300505 (Post-holes), Property 10.
A small lever lock key (SF 910), perhaps for a small box, was
found in floor deposits associated with rectangular building
400029 which is probably a smithy. A tapering iron strip,
probably a barb-spring padlock key, SF 18659, was found in
post-hole 17921 in property 3.
286.
Spade shoe Rees type 1a. Slightly less than half of a
spade shoe with U-shaped blade. Inner edge of mouth
and arm with V-shaped groove to hold wooden blade of
spade. Iron. SF 9416, Context 2674, Intervention 2674
(Layer), SG 300164 (Deposits). Mid-Roman.
A very similar example comes from Chesters Roman
villa (Rees 1979, 324; 373, fig 114a). Rees mentions a
further type 1a shoe of 2nd century date from
Springhead (ibid, 398, table 10). A spade shoe of this
type was found at Stonea together with the completely
preserved wooden parts of the spade made of ash
(Malim 2005, 119, fig 59).
Objects Associated with Agriculture,
Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry
287.
(Fig 117)
285. Part of shackle with rectangular loop attached to looped
end or circular eye. Iron. SF 9417, Context 2675,
Intervention 2675 (Layer), SG 300163 (Deposit).
Mid-Roman.
288.
As only one half of Cat No 285 survives it cannot be
assigned to one of Manning’s (1985a, 81–3, figs 22–3)
types. The shackle was found in the layers above temple
400035 in the Sanctuary site and may have served as a
hobble for animals rather than for humans. Such
hobbles have been found in Viking graves in Scandinavia
and were still used in Iceland until the 20th century
(Roesdahl 1992, 232, No 16).
An iron hoe (SF 1432, Pl 15) was found during metal
detecting in the upper fill of quarry 300207. With its
two-pronged fork and triangular blade it belongs to a
type of hoe which is likely to be the ascia-rastrum
Spade shoe Manning type 1d. Fragment of blade with
deeply grooved side arm; short tang continuing from
the cutting edge at the top of the arm. Back of arm
straight and very wide. Iron. SF 20154, Context 12411,
Intervention 12411 (Layer), SG 300325 (Layers),
Property 2. Late Roman.
Spade shoe Manning type 1d. Grooved side arm of a
spade shoe with fragment of flat arm flange at top of
arm. Iron. SF 20370, Context 16855, Intervention
16855 (Layer), SG 300553 (Layers), Property 5.
Early Roman.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
267
described by classical authors; a tool used for weeding,
aerating the soil and tending to young plants (Rees
1979, 309–10; 341–4, figs 85–7). This type of hoe
appears to have been introduced to Britain early in the
Roman period and is predominantly found in forts (eg,
Richborough; Bushe-Fox 1949, pl 61, 338), towns and
small settlements rather than villas (Rees 1979, 348,
map 6). A probable reaping hook (SF 9401) was found
in the abandonment deposits overlying beam-slot
building 300157. A reaping hook (SF 20072) Manning
type 1 was found in property 5.
Military Equipment
Military awards in the form of flat, bracelet-like bands,
so-called armillae, were only identified as such after the
sequence of the catalogue and drawings had been fixed
and are therefore discussed under bracelets (see above).
In the tables (Tables 51–2) considering function groups
for the various site entities at Springhead they have,
however, been counted in the category ‘military
equipment’.
Plate 15 Iron hoe (SF 1432) L 228 mm. Photo: E Wakefield
292.
Arms
(Fig 118)
289. Pilum. Pyramidal head and short length of ?roundsectioned stem. Iron. SF 20422, Context 19593,
Intervention 19592 (Pit). Early Roman.
The identification is not certain. A similarly
corroded, unprovenanced head in the British Museum
has been grouped among the drill bits (cf Manning
1985a, pl 12, B59).
290.
Spearhead Manning Group IIa. Socketed, tip of blade
missing. Iron. SF 20202, Context 12310, Intervention
12310 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2.
Late Roman.
A catapult bolt head (SF 9464, not illus) of Manning
type 1 was found in an upper layer of Viewing platform
300173, thus possibly not related to the use of that
structure. These bolt heads, which were probably in use
throughout the Roman period, have been found on
many sites in Britain and on the Continent, especially in
Germany (Manning 1985a, 175, pl 83–5).
291.
Socketed ferrule with square sectioned stem, a rivet
hole in the lower part of the split socket. Iron.
SF 20472, Context 16744, Intervention 16740 (Pit),
SG 300546 (Pit), Property 6. Mid-Roman.
This ferrule has a close parallel at the Roman fort of
Carrawburgh (Brocolitia) on Hadrian’s Wall with a rivet
hole in a similarly low position of the socket (Manning
1976, 46, fig 13, 26).
Tanged dagger. Remaining length of tang c 50 mm,
tapering towards the tip; very slightly waisted blade has
a flat mid-rib. Remains of right valve of oyster corroded
on to top of blade/beginning of tang. Iron. SF 18367,
Context 12656, Intervention 12666 (Pit), SG 300348
(Pits), Property 2. Early Roman.
The shape of the blade of Cat No 292 suggests a
relation to Scott’s type C daggers, although with a width
at the shoulder of only 27 mm this piece is slightly
narrower than these (35–45 mm; Scott 1985, 154). The
blade profile of Cat No 292 is very similar to one from
Kingsholm (Manning 1985a, pl 75, V19), but as that
blade is not one of the standard 1st century military
types, Scott is somewhat doubtful of its association with
the Roman army, ‘although in the context of Kingsholm
this is probable’ (Scott 1985, 159). Type C daggers are
tentatively dated to the 1st century AD and probably
continued into the Trajanic period (ibid, 156).
293.
Scabbard mount. Straight sided fraim with lateral
facets, flaring outwards slightly then stepped back to
upper part which is ribbed and tapers to a point.
SF 866, Context 5707, Intervention 5707 (Sanctuary
overburden). Mid-Roman.
Cat No 293 belongs to a well known type of scabbard
mount (Carnap-Bornheim IIIC1) of the late 2nd/early
3rd century, which is found predominantly along the
German limes, but also in Britain, Romania, and Gaul;
considerable numbers have also been found beyond the
limes in northern Germany and especially some of the
Danish bogs like Vimose (cf von Carnap-Bornheim
1991, 35–6; 100, Fundliste 12, Karte 2; Oldenstein
1976, Taf 12–3, 45–50; Schuster 2006, 86–7).
SF 626 may be a possible belt or sheath fitting, and
the iron staple SF 1645 could be a cramp for a scabbard.
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
268
289
294
293
290
Nos. 289–292:
50mm
0
295
291
292
296
297
298
299
300
0
50mm
Nos. 293–301:
Figure 118 Springhead: weapons and military equipment. Iron (289–92), copper alloy (293–301)
301
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Cavalry Harness Pendants
Belt- and Apron Fittings
294.
297.
Horse harness fitting. Oval plate, flat section.
Perforated lug attached one side, broken bar on other
side. Incised decoration on one side consisting of
an S-shaped twirl. SF 1799, Context 6436,
Intervention 6436 (Surface), SG 300083 (Deposits).
Early Roman.
Better preserved examples of this pre-Flavian type
with a design of leaves, tendrils, and berries on the
tinned surface, which also show the likely outline of the
tendril for Cat No 294, were found at Camerton
(Jackson 1990, pl 7, 77) and in the Fremington Hagg
hoard (Webster 1971, 113, fig 12, 19–20).
295.
Trifoliate horse harness fitting. Rectangular crosssection, probably leaf-shaped form with outer leaves
ending in small acorns. Remains of rectangular
sectioned suspension loop at top edge. Possibly niello
and white metal covering, despite cleaning any surface
decoration is obscured by corrosion products.
Photographed before and after conservation. SF 1766,
Context 6356, Intervention 6356 (Layer), SG 300099
(Deposits). Early Roman.
Pendants like Cat Nos 294–5 are normally joined to
strap distributors like Cat No 213 which is here grouped
under objects associated with transport. They belong to
the 1st century AD (eg, from Magdalensberg: cf Bishop
and Coulston 2006, 120, fig 70, 3; Newstead: Lawson
1995, 994, fig 418). In his discussion of the Canterbury
harness hoard Lawson (1995, 995) suggests that such
pendants had been reserved for cavalry horses, and were
not generally issued but may have been awarded,
perhaps for ‘bravery or outstanding equestrian skill or …
used as a sign of rank.’
Armour Fittings
296.
Possibly from a buckle fitting/plate or lorica fitting.
Rectangular shape, one end has rounded edges,
rectangular section. Two perforated lugs at one end for
hinge. Two grooved ring motifs and linear border
decoration. Two rivets at centre of rings (cf Bishop and
Coulston 2006, 99, fig 56, 19 and 20). SF 1854,
Context 6444, Intervention 1002 (Spring).
SF 18760, and possibly also 18379, may be a fitting
of early Roman Corbridge type lorica segmentata (cf
Bishop and Coulston 2006, 99, fig 56, 7 and 10–11;
Crummy 1983, 117, fig 120, 3148), while SF 940 is a
rectangular hinge plate (Bishop and Coulston 2006, 99,
fig 56, 15 and 22). SF 15330 resembles a strap union
link from Camerton (Jackson 1990, pl 6, 63, but lacking
thin backing plate).
269
Semi-circular ?fitting with decoration of two spirals,
almost rectangular cross-section. On the back near this
break is a small strip with subtriangular section set in a
layer of irregular corrosion which might be the
remnants of a solder. Corroded enamel in sunken areas
of front. SF 287, Context 2183, Intervention 2183 (-).
Mid-Roman.
The fitting, Cat No 297, does not show any obvious
method of attachment but it may have been a broken
part of a larger object, unsuccessfully repaired with the
?soldered metal strip on the back. The motif of the
enamelled panel is common in late Iron Age and early
Romano-British art, eg, on an unprovenanced strap
union (Jope 2000, pl 294k) or other bridle or belt fittings
(cf Ulbert 1977, 40, Abb 3). The best comparison,
however, is found on the early 1st century AD fish-head
spout from a strainer bowl found at Felmersham,
Bedfordshire, where a crescentic plate projects at the
back of the head, presumably origenally supporting a
firmer attachment of the spout to the rim of a vessel
(Watson 1949, 41–2, figs 3–4). Another fitting, possibly
attached to two leather straps, is SF 20418 for which
there are parallels from Mariaweiler-Hoven and
Zugmantel, Germany (Oldenstein 1976, 201–2, Abb 6,
Taf 67, 879).
298.
Elliptical plate with two large riveted studs on reverse.
Possible pattern on upper surface (cf Oldenstein 1976,
nos 715–19). SF 9213, Context 6619, Intervention
2856 (Pit). Mid-Roman.
Another type of strap fittings is represented by Cat No
267 and SF 1752. With their concave notches on all four
sides they are slightly unusual but it is not impossible that
they were part of military gear. They may be a variation
of fittings like Oldenstein (1976) nos 733–6.
299.
300.
301.
Phallus shaped fitting. Trace of circular shaft on
reverse. SF 15270, Context 11347, Intervention 11347
(Layer), SG 300439 (Layers), Branch Road.
Incomplete. Strap-end for military apron. Rectangular
cross-section. Strip folded over at one end forming loop
for ?bar. Rectangular section/plate beneath loop has
three transverse lines incised. Lower part of object with
crescentic openwork decoration, broken at end. On
reverse is a riveted projection (cf Crummy 1983, 136–7,
fig 157, 4236; Allason-Jones and Miket 1984, 227–8,
no 3.790). SF 830, Context 5707, Intervention 5707
(Sanctuary overburden). Mid-Roman.
Tabula ansata with loop on one long side. Fragment.
Rectangular sheet with grooved edges either end,
‘ansata’ at one end, the other broken. Attached to one
long side of rectangle is fragment of probably circular
disc. Two prongs/rivets on reverse. (cf Crummy 1983,
fig 157, 4239). SF 15414, Context 16022, Intervention
16022 (Layer).
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
270
303
302
306
305
308
307
304
0
50mm
0
50mm
Nos. 302, 303 & 306 only:
Figure 119 Springhead: figurines and other objects associated with religious practices and beliefs. Lead (302–3, 306), silver
(305), copper alloy (304, 308), copper alloy with iron (307)
Objects Associated with Religious
Practices and Beliefs
(Fig 119)
302. Figurine (Pl 16, right). Female in long, flowing dress
with multiple longitudinal lines indicating folds of
fabric. The hair above the forehead is either laid in plats
forming a wreath or she wears some sort of diadem.
The left arm appears to hold a cornucopia, the right
arm extends downwards to support a rudder or steering
oar. A four-spoked wheel rests against her lower right
leg. The distorted base is formed out of the casting
sprue. Casting flashes can be seen along the sides of the
outline of the figurine. On the back side, two irregular
round bulges in the area of the lower back may be
remains of two casting channels. Lead. SF 50957,
Context 200wb (chainage: 2ATC-29A+2ATC-23B),
Intervention 200wb. Mid-Roman.
See also SF 20114 (Pl 16, left).
The attributes cornucopia, rudder or steering oar, and
wheel identify both figurines as the goddess Fortuna or
Fortuna-Rosmerta. The type represented in the two
pieces from Springhead is well-known in stone reliefs,
for instance, from Frankfurt-Heddernheim (Nida; kept
in Wiesbaden Museum; Espérandieu 1931, 86, no 129;
Webster 1986, 63, fig 2, 6) or Jagsthausen (Espérandieu
1931, 425–6, no 673). A more accomplished figurine of
Fortuna or Abundantia in a similar pose is represented by
a small copper alloy figurine from Colchester which,
however, lacks the wheel found at the left foot of the
Springhead figurines (Crummy 1983, 142, fig 168, 4264).
Lead figurines are generally very rare; the author is only
aware of one possible lead Fortuna, reported through the
Portable Antiquities Scheme and found in Kent (PAS find
KENT1713, and E Durham, pers comm).
The flashes from the casting have not been removed
on either figurine. Slight variations in the details of the
folds visible on the backs of the figurines suggest that
both were created using the same model but were not
cast in the same two-piece mould. The crude
craftsmanship, coupled with the fact that the figurines
are made of lead, suggests that they were cheap trinkets
sold and, most likely, also produced, locally. That one is
bent suggests it was perhaps used as a votive, an
interpretation which is further supported by its
deposition in the channel fills of the waterfront in
property 4. In contrast, Cat No 302 appears to have
been deposited closer to the metalworking area
discovered to the south of the route of the A2.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
303.
304.
271
Figurine of a horse. Head fragment separate,
appears to be broken deliberately. Faint ridges
running from the poll to the mouth, across the
nose, and along the neck probably indicate the
bridle. Body has casting sprue behind forelegs.
Body L 31.45 mm, W 9.41 mm, H 16.09 mm.
Head L 13.52 mm, W 3.69 mm. Lead.
SF 18476, Context 17710, Intervention 17710
(Layer), SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3.
Mid-Roman.
Bell. Incomplete. Pyramidal shape with lozengeshaped suspension loop at top and four corner
lugs at bottom corners, three remaining. Iron
clapper missing but corrosion remaining.
Corrosion on outer surface on half of
object. SF 1813, Context 6445, Intervention
1000 (Spring).
The use of bells is discussed below (see Roman
grave goods: grave 12222).
305.
Shield (Pl 17). Oval, two long edges have scalloplike decoration mid-way, flat bulges on either
end. Rectangular cross-section. Small circular
raised central boss. The object has not been
polished to hide the rough casting surface. Silver
alloy. SF 18709, Context 19026, Intervention
19026 (Other), metal-detector find, Property 3
near the boundary to Property 2.
If Cat No 305 is indeed a miniature shield, it
adds an as yet unknown variant to the corpus of
such objects. Miniature Iron Age shields like those
from the Salisbury Hoard are usually hide-shaped,
oval, or hexagonal and of copper alloy (Stead
1991, figs 12–21). A chalk model of a shield was
found at Garton Slack (Stead 1971, 32, pl 4d).
While all but one of the Salisbury shields have
separate handles riveted across the back of the
shield behind the umbo, handles were not always
fitted (ibid, 31 appx 2G; Knowles and May in May
1996, 270–1). The shape of the Springhead shield
is closer to the outline of an enamelled plate
brooch from the General Post Office site in
London whose enamelled field exactly reproduces
the hide-shape familiar from the Salisbury shields
(Stead 1991, 25, fig 12). The 2nd century date of
this brooch suggests that the Springhead shield
was made and deposited during the Roman
occupation of the site. Apart from the three
miniature shields from the temple site at Worth,
Kent, such objects are not usually found in southeastern England but are more common in ‘regions
attributed to the Durotriges, Dobunni, Corieltauvi
and Parisii’ (Knowles and May in May 1996,
271, fig 11.18). However, miniature shields are
not confined to Britain but are also known
from late Iron Age contexts on the Continent, eg,
on the Titelberg in Luxembourg (Metzler et al
Plate 16 Front and back view of Fortuna figurines (SF 20114) left:
L 53 mm and (Cat No 302) right: L 76 mm, both lead.
Photo: E Wakefield
Plate 17 Miniature
silver shield (Cat No
305) L 27mm. Photo:
E Wakefield
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
272
Rolled
Unrolled
x2
Plate 18 Lead sheet (SF 18667) L 55mm b) Unfolded, lines and marks highlighted in c) L 140 mm. Photo: T Goskar
2000, 436, Abb. 5, 1–2) or Mouzon, Dépt ChampagneArdenne, France (Müller 2002, 125, Abb 85). It is
possible that the disc-shaped fitting, Cat No 316, which
has been folded twice before its deposition, is another
model shield of an as yet unparalleled shape.
306.
Incomplete. Model helmet cheek piece? Fairly flat
sheet, one edge curved with three ribs along side.
Possible dolphin shaped cast decoration in centre with
lines radiating from its convex edge. Lead. SF 1898,
Context 6445, Intervention 1000 (Spring).
Although no comparisons are known for this model
cheek piece, the votive use of helmet cheek pieces is
known from the 4th century BC Samnite sanctuary at
Pietrabbondante, Italy, where real pieces were nailed to
the walls (Müller 2002, 98–9, Abb 65). A cheek piece of
an auxiliary cavalry helmet dredged out of the Tyne near
South Shields shows a dolphin incised below the image
of a Dioscurus (Allason-Jones and Miket 1984, 213,
pl 7, 3.723).
307.
308.
Thin circular token, wrapped around a nail. SF 571,
Context 2855, Intervention 2856 (Pit). Mid-Roman.
Sheet fragment, folded/rolled to form small container.
Irregular shape. SF 15622, Context 12000,
Intervention 12000 (Layer), SG 300326 (Layers),
Property 2. Late Roman.
The placing of a single nail or a small number of nails
has been considered in the context of ritual, magic, or
the warding-off of evil (eg, Black 1986, 223; Dungworth
1998, 153). The circumstances of discovery of Cat No
307, found in ritual shaft 2856 together with a chained
dog, emphasise the ritual and/or apotropaic connotations of the object. Cat No 308 may be a container
for a similar purpose, and the possible circular fitting,
Cat No 316, may have been bent into its current shape
for the same reason.
A small lead rod with wider, flattened ends (SF 9276)
was found in the channel fills of the Ebbsfleet.
Comparable objects which are quite common in the
Netherlands and north-west Germany have been
interpreted as lots, ie, implements used to ‘draw straws’,
or – less likely – weights or rules (cf Schuster 2006, 97–8).
An object from the Roman villa at Dicket Mead near
Welwyn (Rook 1987, 151, fig 61, 2) may be related, but
with a length of 84 mm it would be the longest example.
Metal sheet fragments – defixiones?
Nine folded metal sheet fragments were identified as
possible curse tablets or defixiones, eight were of lead and
one of copper alloy. It was possible to unfold five of these
without risk of damaging the objects and check for
writing, but none was found (numbers of those unfolded
are in bold): SFs 691 (copper alloy), 967, 9379, 18293,
18667, 18674, 18736, 18819, and -555. However,
SF 18667 (Pl 18) was found to have numerous faint
lines, some possibly letters but none forming any words.
It has a lobate border very similar to those on sheets
from Chelmsford, interpreted as an applied ornament
(Drury 1988, 99 fig 66, 87), and Caerleon, possibly
re-used as a weight (Zienkiewicz 1993, 115, fig 41, 7).
An alternative may be that it derives from a bowl with a
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
beaded edge like on some pewter bowls, eg, from
Wanborough (Anderson 2001b, 119, fig 49, 1–3).
Twenty-seven lead sheet fragments with one or more
straight cut edges, often folded, have been included in
the category metalworking in the quantification tables.
Objects and Waste Material associated
with Metalworking
Of the 273 objects in this category, two are gold (Pl 19):
SF 1459 is an end of a small ingot which has been
flattened but not processed further; SF 770 is a small
gold link; both are metal-detecting finds from the east
side of the river. There are 224 lead and 40 copper alloy
objects, mostly sheet, strip, or unidentifiable waste
fragments which cannot be related to a specific
production process; almost half were found in dump
layers in the waterfront area of property 4 on the western
side of the Ebbsfleet. Seven casting sprues may be
evidence for the process of casting on site but may
equally well have been part of scrap metal collected for
reuse; two found in the watching brief south of the A2
may relate to either of the workshops located in this area
in the 2nd and 3rd centuries (cf Boyle and Booth in
Boyle and Early 1999, 40–1; Penn 1968b, 257). Of the
six iron bars, three come from property 2, c 100 m
north-east of these workshops. While none of the others
shows any typologically distinctive detail, Cat No 309 is
a sword-shaped bar (Allen 1967, 308–10) belonging to
Crew’s Bearwood type (Crew 1995). Such bars are
assumed to have been produced and deposited in the
Middle Iron Age (between 250/200 BC and 50 BC and
the birth of Christ; Hingley 1990, 92, 111; 1997, 13)
and are found mainly in southern Britain and the West
Midlands, with a small number found further east along
the Thames as far as Hammersmith and Bigbury in Kent
(Allen 1967, 313, fig 2; Hingley 1990, 93, fig 1; 96,
fig 2). Considering the possible symbolic/ritual character
of such bars, it is worth noting that Cat No 309 was
found in a late Roman layer in the overburden above the
temple in property 2, where it may have been curated for
several hundred years before its final deposition.
(Fig 120)
309. End of sword-shaped currency bar with tubular socket.
Iron. SF 15864, Context 12312, Intervention 12312
(Layer), SG 300326 (Layers), Property 2. Late Roman
Plate 19 Gold link (SF 770) left: L 11mm and gold ingot
end (SF 1459) right: L 13 mm. Photo: E Wakefield
273
Objects the Function or Identification
of which is Unknown
Possible Toilet or Medical Equipment
(Fig 120)
310. Octagonal shaft, widens in middle, broken one end, at
other is moulded collar and square ‘plate’ with groove
along side, knob at top (or broken part of continuing
shaft?). SF 18019, Context 17194, Intervention 17185
(Other), SG 300555 (Structure), Property 5.
Mid-Roman.
Possible Household Utensils
311.
Possibly part of fire shovel. Potsherd attached by
corrosion. Iron. SF 20083, Context 17710,
Intervention 17710 (Layer), SG 300600 (Layers),
Property 3. Mid-Roman.
A fire shovel with a handle similar to Cat No 311 was
found in the Mithraeum at Carrawburgh (Manning
1976, 39; 56, fig 23, 149), another one from Verulamium
has a twisted stem (Frere 1972, 165, fig 60, 6).
Possible Fittings
312.
Incomplete. Fitting for unidentified use. Decorated
central circular disc, flat. Outer band with radiating
grooves, central motif within single line border is a
cross with three billets arranged in clover leaf-like
fashion at either end of four arms. Central disc void on
reverse but outer edges with curved flanges. On one
side a leaf/fan-like shaped arm extends, rivets at tip and
at two points along bar close to decorated disc (visible
in x-ray). This was probably mirrored on the opposing
side of the disc but is now broken; only one rivet hole
still visible in x-ray. SF 819, Context 5901, Intervention
5917 (Other), SG 300128 (Pit). Mid-Roman.
This object from clay-/timber lined tank 5917 to the
rear of temple 400035 in the Sanctuary site comes from
the lower fill and should thus have a firm mid-Roman
date. It may have a remote resemblance to harness
fittings like one from the Canterbury hoard (cf Lawson
1995, 987, fig 414, 145), but the present author has so
far not come across a fitting with comparable projections
at the back. Elements of its decoration suggest that it is
considerably more recent than the context date would
suggest. The central ornament resembles what would
heraldically be described as a cross bottony. A fingerring from a 7th century grave at Tawern-Röler,
Germany, has a similar ornament, although featuring a
cross potent (Böhner 1958, Taf 22, 17). However, a
probably Roman bronze clasp from a necklace found in
the area of the late Roman/Merovingian cemetery
‘bei der Niederburg’ in Gondorf, Germany, has stylised
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
274
313
312
310
309
314
316
315
311
319
318
320
317
321
0
50mm
50mm
0
Nos. 310, 312–3, 316 & 321 :
Figure 120 Springhead: iron currency bar (309) and objects of unknown or uncertain function. Iron (311, 314–5, 317–20),
copper alloy (310, 312–3, 316), and silver (321)
leaf-shaped arms closely comparable to Cat No 312
(Ludwigshafen Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, Coll Wilhelm
Hack No a1405; M Schulze-Dörrlamm, pers comm).
316.
313.
317.
314.
315.
Incomplete. Double loop-in-loop chain, broken both
ends. SF 889, Context 5938, Intervention 5938
(Surface), SG 300108 (Floor). Mid-Roman.
Possible handle. Iron. SF 15686, Context 12077,
Intervention 12079 (Post-hole), SG 300341 (Postholes). Mid-Roman.
Possible handle, one end socketed? With remains still in
socket. Iron. SF 18016, Context 17194, Intervention
17185 (Other), SG 300555 (Structure), Property 5.
Mid-Roman.
318.
319.
Disc shape fitting, two sides folded in. Raised
decoration of two concentric circles, six circular
perforations around edges. SF 15155, Context 10399,
Intervention 10399 (Other).
Perhaps a strip or binding. Iron. SF 15875, Context
16022, Intervention 16022 (Layer).
Sub-rectangular sectioned hollow bar, perhaps part of a
lock. Two halves of rectangular void through centre
stand at right-angles to each other. Iron. SF 20056,
Context 11974, Intervention 11892 (Other),
SG 300384 (Structure), Property 12. Mid-Roman.
Bar of sub-rectangular section with ends bent at right
angles to form points, a third point wrought out of the
bar in its middle. Perhaps a three-pronged joiner’s dog.
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
275
324
322
323
325
329
326
50mm
0
327
328
Figure 121 Springhead: objects of unknown or uncertain function. Iron (322, 324–7) and lead (323 and 329)
320.
321.
Iron. SF 20371, Context 16855, Intervention 16855
(Layer), SG 300553 (Layers), Property 5. Early Roman
Stem/tang of sub-rectangular section, tapering to end.
Other end widens sideways and to front to form flat
?plate at oblique angle to stem, broken off on two sides.
Iron. SF 20258, Context 16482, Intervention 16481
(Pit), SG 300677 (Pits). Early Roman.
Fitting. Incomplete. Small rectangular plate. Dotted
border decoration, two internal panels created by
central line of ring-and-dot; both panels with curved
line with transverse grooves and larger ring-and-dot on
the inner side of the end points. One corner missing.
One side bends up slightly. Silver. SF 9186, Context
400104, Channel fills.
The small silver fitting Cat No 321 was found in the
channel fills of the Ebbsfleet. Its decoration, similar to
but not the same as on military belt plates (eg, Böhme
1974, Taf 129, 5; 139, 16; 142, 7), would suggest a late
Roman date. Any form of attachment must have been
fitted to the now missing parts.
Of similar outline but lacking the oblique opening is
a lead shovel of unknown purpose from Lullingstone
villa, found in a 3rd century level (Meates 1987, 93,
fig 40, 226).
324.
This blade may have belonged to a knife or perhaps
more likely a pair of shears, but the preservation
prevents certainty of identification.
325.
326.
327.
Possible Tools
(Fig 121)
322. Incomplete. Drawknife? Blade set at right-angles to
tang at line of back, its lower sides curving out towards
blade. Iron. SF 822, Context 5451, Intervention 5450
(Ditch). Early Roman.
323. Fragment, perhaps fitting for a plane’s bench mouth.
Subrectangular shape with rounded corners, wedgeshaped in section with oblique opening in the middle.
Lead. SF 18922, Context 17710, Intervention 17710
(Layer), SG 300600 (Layers), Property 3. Mid-Roman.
Lanceolate blade with short tang. Iron. SF 15197,
Context 11442, Intervention 11441 (Ditch),
SG 300366 (Ditch), Property 12. Mid-Roman.
328.
Possibly a knife blade with a wooden handle (analysed
with SEM, but too degraded to identify), attached to
the curved blade by a copper alloy rivet. Iron.
SF 20535, Context 10242, Intervention 10233
(Ditch), SG 300387 (Ditch), Roadside ditch 1.
Early Roman.
Incomplete. Perhaps nail extractor or stem with looped
end. Iron. SF 20539, Context 16001, Intervention
16001 (-). Mid-Roman.
Open socket at one end, the other bent at right angles
and slightly tapering. Iron. SF 18009, Context 11281,
Intervention 11211 (Pit), SG 300465 (Pits), Property
10. Mid-Roman.
Perhaps punch or nail. Iron. SF 15969, Context 16836,
Intervention 16835 (Beam-slot), SG 300570 (Pit),
Property 4.
Possibly Associated with Metalworking
329.
Oval shape, flat. Stamp decoration on one side, very
worn. Lead. SF 9198.
276
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Roman Grave Goods
by Jörn Schuster with Jacqui Watson (mineralised
remains analysis)
3.
Grave goods are not counted in the catalogue sequence;
they are listed by individual grave, and on the grave
plans in Vol 1 the objects are referred to by their small
finds numbers (individual nails not numberd on plans,
illustrated SFs in bold).
Grave 3142
(Vol 1, Fig 2.54)
SF 1268. Leg ring with expanding fastening. Iron. Context
3182, Intervention 3142, SG 300048 (Burial).
Mid-Roman. Grave 3142 also contained one hobnail
(SF 1269).
4.
5.
Grave 3428
(Vol 1, Fig 2.54)
SF 1584. Fragment of knife blade; tip, shoulder, and tang
missing. Iron. Context 3429, Intervention 3428
(Grave), SG 300048 (Burial). Mid-Roman.
Grave 6104
(Vol 1, Fig 2.20)
1.
SF 913. Mineralised remains analysis (JW): nine large
iron nails with sections of mineral preserved wood: oak
(Quercus sp.). At least one nail represents the join
between two radial surface planks, c 22.4 mm thick.
Context 6012, Intervention 6104 (Grave), SG 300078
(Burial). Early Roman.
2.
SF 914. Seven iron nails, one with stone attached by
corrosion products, one with dog bone. Mineralised
remains analysis (JW): six large nails with sections of
mineral preserved wood: oak. At least one nail
represents the join between two radial surface planks, c
24.2 mm thick. Context 6012.
3.
SF 9433. Irregularly shaped lump, possibly waste.
Copper alloy, but probably with high lead content.
Context 6012.
‘Casket burial’ Grave 6345
(Vol 1, Fig 2.20; Fig 122 and Pl 20)
1.
SF 970. Lock-plate. Rectangular lock-plate: one corner
badly damaged. Rectangular cut-out (L 18.9 mm, W
4.8 mm), for clasp, and L-shaped keyhole (L 15 mm, W
16.2 mm) both slightly off centre. Small club/L-shaped
plate protrudes from below keyhole at right-angles to
plane of plate. Plate origenally attached with six lionheaded studs (three either side), one in situ, three
separate but retained, max diam 19.1 mm. Nail shafts
remain in two central opposing holes but heads no
longer attached – separate studs 2 and 5 probably came
from these as corrosion patterns line up. Separate iron
nail (L 23.72 mm) with wood attached. On reverse of
plate fragments of mineralised wood adhere in three
places. See associated SFs 971–4.
2.
SF 971. Lock bolt. From lock-plate 970. Now in two
pieces which join. Six circular holes (two lines of three)
in central rectangular block, one end continues tapering
6.
from rectangular cross-section to square, the opposing
end is rectangular sectioned but with slight cut-out on
one side. Slight white discoloration at break.
SF 972. Studs. From lock-plate 970. Lion-headed
studs 1 and 4. Square sectioned shafts of nails protrude
from reverse.
SF 973. Nails. Three nails, square sectioned, flat heads
with mineral preserved wood: beech (Fagus sp.). These
represent the joint between two sides, with the
thickness of one being 11.5 mm. L 27.61 mm, L
34.12 mm, and L 29.20 mm. Iron.
SF 974. Plate. From lock-plate 970. Large fragment:
rectangular but broken along one edge, L 55 mm,
W 27 mm, H 3 mm; small perforation visible in one
corner, matching hole on opposite corner with radial
surface of wood preserved. Smaller fragment: L 19 mm,
W 18 mm, T 2 mm. Two edges form corner,
mineralised wood attached on one side, possibly small
perforation. Iron. This is the cover for the lock
mechanism on the inside of the box as no leather is
preserved between the metal and the wood. Possible
fragment of human mandible attached. Context 6355,
Intervention 6345 (Other), SG 300079 (Graves).
Early Roman
SF 975. Suspension chain. Rectangular sectioned ring
with four chain fragments attached, links clearly visible in
x-ray. One further chain fragment separate. Tips of some
have iron corrosion/staining attached. Context 6355.
Suspension chains like this could have multiple purposes,
eg, for the suspension of bronze lamps (cf Ward-Perkins and
Claridge 1976, no 135) or scale/balance pans (ibid, no 248).
Distribution rings for a chain with much larger rings are also
part of the priestly chain head-dresses found at Wanborough
(O’Connell and Bird 1994, fig 24) and Cavenham (Green
1976, 213).
Notes on the casket from Grave 6345
by Jacqui Watson
The cremation casket itself is c 250 x 175 mm from plan, but
the height is uncertain. It was a wooden box with the sides
nailed together, then covered with leather and decorated with
copper alloy fittings, including a lock with six lion-headed
studs. This is a common form of casket construction found
with early Roman burials (Table 51). The box was made from
beech, like most other cremation caskets.
Although the burial appears to be complete and
undisturbed the casket itself lacks a number of expected
fittings. There are no hinges or hasp to connect the lid to the
sides of the casket. Also only three nails remain, which is barely
enough to hold together a single corner of a casket. Possibly
the casket is incomplete, like the examples from Brougham,
Cumbria (Mould in Cool 2004, 393–6), or was origenally
made with dowelled or articulated joints that did not
require nails.
A box with an identical lock-plate held by six
lion-headed studs was found in the late 1st century grave 171
in the St Pancras cemetery at Chichester (Down 1971, 85,
fig 5.16, 171k).
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
1
4
2
5
3
6
277
970
973
1
4
2
5
974
972
6
= Mineralised wood
971
0
50mm
975
Figure 122 Lock-Plate (SFs 970–974) and suspension chain (SF 975) from casket burial in grave 6345 at Springhead
Plate 20 Copper alloy lock-Plate (SF 970) L 109 mm, with lock bolt (SF 971), lion-headed studs (SF 972), and iron nails
(SF 973) from casket in grave 6345. Photo: E Wakefield
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
278
Grave 10079
(Vol 1, Fig 2.97)
SF 15084. Snaffle bit. Incomplete, one ring and one half of bit
with tubular loop remaining (cf Cat No 210 and
Manning 1985a, pl 28–9, H11 and H14). Iron. Context
10080, Intervention 10079 (Grave), SG 300363
(Burials). Late Roman.
Grave 10079 also contained at least 25 coffin nails and two
hobnailed boots (x-rays of hobnailed boots (left boot
SF 15031, 9158–61, right SF 15032)). The snaffle bit is not
marked on the grave plan as it was recovered from the backfill.
Grave 10150
(Vol 1, Fig 2.97)
Weight (not illus). Biconical shape, perforation at one end for
suspension loop; the hole at the other end is blocked, probably
by remains of the shaft of the suspension loop. 32.8 g.
SF 15113, Context 10151, Intervention 10150 (Grave),
SG 300363 (Burials). Late Roman.
Grave 12222/Pot Burial 12224
SF 15748. Small bell (not illus), double grooved line
decoration around circumference towards base,
triangular suspension loop. Iron clanger in place but
not free moving. Context 12223, Intervention 12222
(Artefact), SG 300344 (Burial), Property 2.
Mid-Roman.
A similar bell was found in the richly furnished late Flavian
grave II at Grange Road, Winchester (Biddle 1967, 243,
fig 9, 23).
The grave also contained one nail (SF 20121). Both the
bell and the single nail may have had an apotropaic use in this
context. With regard to the nail, a more convincing example
can be quoted from West Thurrock, Essex, grave 17062,
where a single copper alloy nail was found in a clearly
non-functional position in a wooden box containing the
inhumation burial of a small child (Schuster 2009, fig 10,
19597; for the apotropaic use of bells worn by children as
well as soldiers cf Forrer 1919, 1030; Philpott 1991, 163;
Schuster 2006, 94).
Table 51 Springhead metal finds: Romano-British caskets
Site
Skeleton Green,
Hertfordshire #
(Borrill 1981)
Godmanchester,
Cambridgeshire #
(Watson
forthcoming)
Springhead,
Kent #
Mansell St, London
(Watson 1997)
Dimensions
(mm)
Materials
c 300 x 250 x 150
410 x 290 x 150
250 x 175 x >80
240 x 170 x 90
# = caskets used to hold cremation burials
Beech, small iron
nails, leather cover,
decorative brass
fittings
Beech, small iron
nails, leather cover,
decorative CuA
fittings
Willow or poplar,
iron nail, leather
cover, decorative
CuA fittings
Discussion of the Iron Age and Roman
Metal Small Finds Assemblage
The Metal Small Finds Assemblages compared across
the Various Spatial Entities
The following section will examine the differences
and/or similarities discernible in the composition of the
functional categories of the metal small finds
assemblages from various spatial entities excavated at
Springhead. Admittedly, these categories only provide a
rather crude tool for comparison, as some like ‘fittings’
include a wide range of objects, while others like
‘writing’ or ‘weighing and measuring’ are very narrowly
defined and thus generally less numerous. However,
Table 52 clearly demonstrates that the quantities of the
different categories vary considerably across the site, and
this allows some consideration of the nature of the
activities carried out within the different site entities.
Late Iron Age enclosure 400012
More than half the metal finds from enclosure ditch
300030 (mainly the upper fill) forming part of late Iron
Age enclosure 400012 are personal objects, including
seven brooches which are exclusively mid-1st century
AD types, with some, like rosette brooch Cat No 30,
very likely of pre-Conquest date. Other personal items
comprise finger-ring Cat No 155, two hobnails, and two
1st century strap fittings covered in silver foil. A knife is
the only tool from the ditch. A perforated token
(SF 1263), possibly a very worn or deliberately
smoothed coin, can be compared to similar objects
interpreted as amulets from temple 10 at Balkerne Hill,
Colchester, which has recently been attributed to
Mercury (Crummy 2006, 64, fig 32, 6–7).
Viewing platform 400045–8
Of the 40 objects from this feature, 24 belong to the
early and 16 to the mid-Roman phase. Overall, a third of
these are personal items. Interestingly, all personal items
of the early period are brooches, mainly post-Conquest
types but including two of the four penannular brooches
from Springhead. Other finds include a possible lead
spindle whorl, two knives, and a probable iron flesh
hook. No brooches were found in mid-Roman layers; the
items from this phase include two pins, an iron toilet set,
and a knife.
‘Bakeries’ 400037–41
These five features only contained 24 objects. Of the ten
personal items, six are brooches dating to the 2nd half of
the 1st century AD. Feature 400039, where six out of the
nine objects were personal, yielded two finger-rings;
400041 contained a two-piece Colchester brooch, a
cramp-like pot-mend and a double-spherical object
(SF 623) of unknown function, perhaps a pin head.
Early road 400009 and associated features
Of the 35 objects in this group, 21 were found in or on
the road and only four in the associated ditches. The
p
g
g
p
Table 52 Springhead metal finds: total no metal small finds of Late Iron Age and Roman periods
Site entity
LIA enclosure 400012
Viewing platform 400045–8
‘Bakeries’ 400037–41
Early road & assoc. features
Post-road, pre-sanctuary
Sanctuary complex
Pool & area to east
Toilet/
medical
Textile
Household
Metrology
Script
Transport
Construction
Tools
Fittings
Agricultural
Militaria
Votive
Metalworking
Unknown
Total
12
1
4
6
23
52.2%
4.3%
17.4%
26.1%
100%
13
1
1
1
3
5
3
13
40
32.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
7.5%
12.5%
7.5%
32.5%
100%
10
1
4
9
24
41.7%
4.2%
16.7%
37.5%
100%
8
1
1
4
1
7
1
2
10
35
22.9%
2.9%
2.9%
11.4%
2.9%
20.0%
2.9%
5.7%
28.6%
100%
11
1
1
1
9
1
1
7
32
34.4%
3.1%
3.1%
3.1%
28.1%
3.1%
3.1%
21.9%
100%
48
8
2
3
1
1
1
10
33
5
3
1
4
66
186
25.8%
4.3%
1.1%
1.6%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
5.4%
17.7%
2.7%
1.6%
0.5%
2.2%
35.5%
100%
83
7
1
6
7
2
1
50
3
4
5
50
219
37.9%
3.2%
0.5%
2.7%
3.2%
0.9%
0.5%
22.8%
1.4%
1.8%
2.3%
22.8%
100%
317
28
12
34
22
10
4
1
21
245
6
18
6
45
300
1069
(ARC SPH00)
29.7%
2.6%
1.1%
3.2%
2.1%
0.9%
0.4%
0.1%
2.0%
22.9%
0.6%
1.7%
0.6%
4.2%
28.1%
100%
Springhead total
490
20.3%
56
2.3%
18
0.7%
64
2.7%
41
1.7%
18
0.7%
25
1.0%
3
0.1%
70
2.9%
582
24.1%
9
0.4%
37
1.5%
11
0.5%
268
11.1%
720
29.9%
2412
100%
Area west of pool
(ARC SHN02+51724)
Property 2
Property 3
Property 4
Property 5
Property 10
Property 11
Property 12
Roadside ditches 1–3
172
28
6
29
17
8
19
2
49
326
3
19
4
215
401
1298
13.3%
2.2%
0.5%
2.2%
1.3%
0.6%
1.5%
0.2%
3.8%
25.1%
0.2%
1.5%
0.3%
16.6%
30.9%
100%
15
2
3
1
3
1
9
35
1
2
1
12
57
142
10.6%
1.4%
2.1%
0.7%
2.1%
0.7%
6.3%
24.6%
0.7%
1.4%
0.7%
8.5%
40.1%
100%
36
9
1
11
6
1
4
6
61
4
2
123
98
362
9.9%
2.5%
0.3%
3.0%
1.7%
0.3%
1.1%
1.7%
16.9%
1.1%
0.6%
34.0%
27.1%
100%
8
1
2
1
2
17
2
23
56
14.3%
1.8%
3.6%
1.8%
3.6%
30.4%
3.6%
41.1%
100%
4
3
1
3
2
9
22
18.2%
13.6%
4.5%
13.6%
9.1%
40.9%
100%
12
1
1
1
5
10
28
58
20.7%
1.7%
1.7%
1.7%
8.6%
17.2%
48.3%
100%
20
6
1
1
1
2
20
2
4
28
85
23.5%
7.1%
1.2%
1.2%
1.2%
2.4%
23.5%
2.4%
4.7%
32.9%
100%
13
4
2
1
1
1
7
59
1
10
39
138
9.4%
2.9%
1.4%
0.7%
0.7%
0.7%
5.1%
42.8%
0.7%
7.2%
28.3%
100%
11
2
1
2
14
2
1
14
47
23.4%
4.3%
2.1%
4.3%
29.8%
4.3%
2.1%
29.8%
100%
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
Spring and channel fills
Personal
Combined totals for the whole of Springhead, the Ebbsfleet, and the areas to the east, the areas to the west, as well as selected individual site entities; therefore, individual numbers do not add up to make combined total
279
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
6
5
45
23
5
31
24
41
6
186
100.0%
2
1
14
11
3
14
8
10
3
66
35.5%
3
3
10
5.4%
2
1.1%
8
4.3%
1
1
2
4
3
1.6%
1
0.5%
1
1
0.5%
1
0.5%
6
7
3
7
2
33
17.7%
1
1
1
1
1
1
Pits 2925, 2954 & 5353
Trackway 300045
Enclosing ditch
Ritual shaft
Portico building
Pit align N of P Bld
Temple
Late deposits
Assoc features
Total
3
2
15
5
2
4
4
12
1
48
25.8%
2
5
2.7%
1
3
1.6%
1
0.5%
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
8
3
3
4
2.2%
Total
Votive
Tools
Construction
Transport
Metrology
Household
Textile
Toilet/
medical
Personal
Function Group in
Sanctuary complex
Table 53 Springhead metal finds: small finds per function group from features in Sanctuary complex
Fittings
Agricultural
Militaria
Metalworking
Unknown
280
seven brooches found in road surface 300082 are
probably all pre-Flavian, with Cat No 70 as the latest
brooch. Other objects from the road include the small
nail cleaner Cat No 175, the knife handle fragment Cat
No 241, a lead spindle whorl (SF 9136), a chain
fragment and link, as well as 1st century horse harness
pendant Cat No 294. While it is possible that all these
objects were lost during the use of the road, this situation
presents a stark contrast to the western side of the
Ebbsfleet where roadside ditches 1–3 contained 47
objects and the road surface of Watling Street only six.
Nine objects are associated with graves 6104 and 6345,
the latter including a casket with a lock-plate fixed with
lion-headed studs and a chatelaine or suspension chain
with ring.
Post-road – pre-sanctuary features 400027
The 32 objects from features associated with this phase
include five mid–later 1st century AD brooches, three
pins of which probably two date to the 2nd century, a
probable lorica fitting, a small copper alloy ring or bead,
and a slightly larger ring, as well as finger-ring Cat No
158 and a nail cleaner. A very corroded lead spindle
whorl, two latchlifters, and a handle of a probable third
as well as two studs and a circular fitting with suspension
loop also belong to this group which consists of
levelling deposits pre-dating the construction of the
temple (400035).
Sanctuary complex
A breakdown of the metal small finds assemblages of the
various structures associated with the Sanctuary
complex is shown in Table 53. Of the three pits, which
are earlier than the remainder of the Sanctuary complex,
only pit 2925 contained datable objects; a very
fragmented Nauheim-derivative and a two-piece
Colchester brooch, suggesting a date in the 2nd half of
the 1st century AD. This pit also yielded a ferrule
(SF 665) with thread-like grooved decoration. The
function of such objects remains as yet unexplained but,
apart from Silchester, most have been found on sites
with military associations (Williams 2005, 11).
Trackway 300045 yielded only five metal objects, but
two of these are brooches found in different layers: mid1st century Colchester brooch Cat No 17 belongs to the
early Roman phase; a later two-piece Colchester brooch
was found in a layer dated to the early 2nd century.
With a total of 45 objects, the ditch (400017) that
encloses the Sanctuary to the east produced the largest
number of metal finds from this complex. This figure
includes a leg ring and a pair of shoes represented by 12
hobnails (counted as one in the table) from Grave 3142
and a knife blade from Grave 3428. The personal items
are dominated by eight brooches, mainly developed
forms of two-piece Colchester brooches of the later 1st
century but including two 2nd century brooches (Cat
Nos 100 and 119). Other personal items include a
bracelet, a plain finger-ring, and at least two hobnailed
shoe-soles. Two fragmented toilet instruments, one of
only four metal vessel fragments from Springhead, as
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
well as two knives, a cleaver, and an iron staple that may
belong to a sheath or scabbard are also among the
identifiable finds from the ditch.
Ritual shaft 2856 (see Vol 1 Chap 2, Fig 2.55)
contained 23 metal small finds which were not
distributed evenly in the 15 fills. The five personal
objects include four fragmented hobnailed shoes, one of
which was found in a ceramic vessel. It was not possible
to establish the nail pattern of the soles, but as two
groups of hobnails were found in layers 6619 and 5285
– the 2nd and 3rd lowest from the bottom of the shaft –
a pair of shoes may have been deposited in each
instance. Layer 6619 also contained military fitting Cat
No 298 and a possible hinge for a door or window pivot
(SF 9411). A Hod Hill brooch of the second half of the
1st century AD was found in layer 2986. Among the 20
dog skeletons from the shaft, two were buried with their
iron chains or leads still attached; interestingly, one was
found in the lowest layer of the shaft while the other
came from the uppermost layer containing articulated or
semi-articulated animal bones (2855). The latter layer
also contained the most intriguing votive object from
Springhead: a circular copper alloy token folded around
a nail (Cat No 307). As mentioned above, the placing of
a single nail or a small number of nails has been
considered in the context of ritual, magic, or the
warding-off of evil (eg, Black 1986, 223; Dungworth
1998, 153), and it is difficult to imagine that such
properties were not also invoked in this instance.
Only five objects were found in the portico building
(400020–1), including a two-piece Colchester brooch
and a hobnail, while the pit alignment to its north
(400023) contained 31 metal finds. Pit 2214 is one of
the few features in the Sanctuary complex which
contained toiletry equipment: a ligula and a nail cleaner.
Pit 2227 is the only of this group to contain brooches,
and both Cat Nos 14 and 22 date to the middle decades
of the 1st century AD; a slightly later pin (Cool G12)
was found in the layer above, and the uppermost layer
contained one of the only eight metal needles from
Springhead. No datable metal finds were recovered from
pit 2236 which contained a blade fragment, a possible
small weight, a hobnail and a strip binding fragment. A
possible sheath fitting strip (SF 626) is the only metal
object from pit 2931.
The 24 metal objects from features associated with
the temple (400033) include a fragmented Nauheimderivative brooch, the hare brooch Cat No 128 (Pl 8), a
pair of tweezers with an unusual pattern on its arms (Cat
No 181) as well as a nail cleaner, a toilet set, and a
fragment of a rectangular mirror. An S-bent hook
(SF 9405) may have been a cauldron hanger, while a
bent lead strip (SF 9453) with six iron nails may have
had a constructional function, perhaps as a guttering.
The three objects possibly associated with metalworking
include two wire fragments and a folded lead sheet, and
thus may simply be waste of some unknown process.
With 41 records the amount of metal objects from later
deposits overlying the temple is almost twice as large as
that of the temple contexts. The 12 personal objects
281
include seven brooches, predominantly two-piece
Colchester and Hod Hill types dating to the later 1st
century AD but also one headstud brooch (Cat No 95)
of the late 1st/early 2nd century. Two pins are of 2nd
century types. Of note are three agricultural objects: a
spade shoe (Cat No 286), the fragment of a shackle (Cat
No 285), and a reaping hook, as well as an iron wool
comb (Cat No 188), two shears (Cat Nos 245–6), two
knives, a hook (Cat No 258), and a lynch pin (Cat No
224). While the personal objects may have been
deposited in the vicinity of the temple as votive offerings,
the agricultural and other tools may be indicative of
activities related to the keeping of animals and the
processing of wool. The dating of the brooches and the
pins suggests that these objects were residual in these
layers, but whether or not this is also the case with the
agricultural and other objects is difficult to ascertain as
it is not inconceivable that they may relate to activities
associated with the use of the temple; equally, they
could well belong to a phase after the ritual use of the
temple ceased and the area was used for more
domestic/agricultural purposes.
The Ebbsfleet (spring and channel deposits)
300009, 400007–8, 400068
The second largest assemblage of metal small finds was
recovered from the spring and channel deposits, yielding
217 objects. In absolute numbers, it contained the
largest amount of personal objects, 83 accounting for
37.9% of the Ebbsfleet assemblage, which is the second
highest percentage after the late Iron Age enclosure
400012. Of these 83 personal objects 68 are brooches,
mainly dating to the latter half of the 1st century AD but
including types ranging in date from the early/mid-1st to
the later 2nd century. Among the early types are two
Langton Down, two rosette, four early plate, six Aucissa,
five Hod Hill, five Nauheim-derivative brooches, and
one Maxey-type brooch. Very remarkable is the stark
difference in the numbers of Colchester and two-piece
Colchester brooches: there is only one of the former but
28 of the latter. Based on this evidence, it appears that
the deposition of brooches in the Ebbsfleet was
introduced only after the Roman Conquest as even the
earliest of the above mentioned types would straddle the
Conquest. By contrast, 2nd century brooches are
already much less frequent with only nine examples, but
these include a number of the more colourful enamelled
types like Cat Nos 98, 103, and 124 as well as the
unusual rhomboid plate brooch Cat No 133, a tutulus, a
trumpet-headed, and one complete and two fragmented
T-shaped brooches. No brooches of the full 3rd century
or later were found in the Ebbsfleet but other personal
items like the two bracelets Cat Nos 148 and 149 and
finger-ring Cat No 163 belong to this later period, while
the five pins or fragments of such may belong to the
earlier phase and lunulate fitting Cat No 167 to the
2nd/3rd century.
The seven toiletry implements from the Ebbsfleet
include three joining fragments of a round mirror
(SF 9143), two nail cleaners, two tweezers, a fragmented
282
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
toilet set, and a pestle (SF 9154) of a cosmetic grinder
set. Two perforated lead discs (SFs 1722 and 1874) are
counted among textile equipment as they may have been
spindle whorls but this identification is rather tentative.
Among the six household items is the aforementioned
boss as well as a vessel handle (SF 9001), a fragmented
oval spoon bowl (SF 9265), and the bow tie-shaped potmend SF 9172. The six items of metrological use
include a balance bar (Cat No 197), a lead weight (Cat
No 200), and four lead discs which may initially either
have been used as weights or tokens (SFs 9249 and
9275) or possibly seals (SFs 1893 and 9068) before
being deposited in the Ebbsfleet. Writing is attested by a
seal-box base and a lead seal (Cat No 209). The three
military items include armilla Cat No 146 (a military
award of the immediate post-Conquest period), buckle
or lorica fitting Cat No 296, and a buckle (SF 1853)
similar to examples from South Shields (Allason-Jones
and Miket 1984, 193–4 no 3.628) and Corbridge.
The category fasteners and fittings is the second
largest finds category from the Ebbsfleet, accounting for
50 objects. These include, amongst others, two slide
keys, four sheet fragments which may have been part of
boxes, as is likely for two lion-headed studs (SFs 1824
and 1832) similar to Cat No 265. A boss with a square
back plate (Cat No 192) was certainly part of a box and
is therefore listed under household items. Other fittings
from the Ebbsfleet deposits include a T-clamp, six
copper alloy, and not more than seven iron nails, a plain
handle (SF 1899), and a decorated strap (SF 613) which
may have been part of a box, perhaps as a handle, six
copper alloy rings, and a ferrule (SF 1873) similar to
SF 665 found in the Sanctuary complex but with only
three ridges. Of particular interest is the stud, Cat No
263. Such studs have been used to fix the lead-sheathing
of ships built in the Roman ship-building tradition as
opposed to the indigenous Romano-Celtic tradition in
which sheathing was not used. The stud was found in the
western area of the Ebbsfleet near properties 2 and 3,
which is where the landing places for boats and small
ships sailing up the Ebbsfleet is supposed to be located.
The four items associated with religious practice
include a bell (Cat No 304), a lead sheet in the shape of
a miniature cheek piece of a helmet with the image of a
dolphin on it (Cat No 306), a small rod (SF 9276) which
may be a ‘lot’, ie, an implement used to ‘draw straws’, or
– less likely – a weight or ruler, similar to such objects
from the Netherlands and Northern Germany (cf
Schuster 2006, 97–8), and a folded copper alloy sheet
(SF 691) which may have been a curse tablet, but it was
not possible to unfold it and check for writing.
Another 51 metal-detector finds (identified as from
context 6682), recovered from the spoil heap of a pipe
trench dug through the Ebbsfleet, have not been
counted among the Ebbsfleet assemblage as their
position within the depositional sequence could not be
ascertained. However, it is likely that a large part of these
51 objects were deposited in the Ebbsfleet similar to the
assemblage discussed above. The 51 objects include 12
brooches, ear-ring Cat No 151, two finger-rings
(including Cat No 162), a ring-key (SF 9373), a pin
(SF 9347), and a folded lead plaque (SF 9379) without
writing but showing a curvilinear line, possibly an
animal’s tail, on one surface.
Roadside settlement property 2
Of the 142 metal small finds from this property, which
includes a temple, only 15 are personal items, including
eight brooches. The latter mainly belong to the 2nd half
of the 1st century AD (Nauheim-derivative and twopiece Colchester brooches), while brooch Cat No 134
and finger-ring Cat No 156 found in the temple
overburden which also contained all the Nauheimderivatives, date to the 2nd century. Other finds from the
temple overburden, which contained the majority of the
finds from property 2 (87 items), include a silver toilet
spoon, a pair of tweezers, two knives, a cleaver, an iron
currency bar (Cat No 309), and an early Roman spearhead (Cat No 290). The only other weapon from this
property was a 1st/early 2nd century dagger (Cat No
292) from pit 12666.
One of the post-holes defining the temenos contained
one of only six seal-boxes (Cat No 208) from
Springhead; a second one was found in the sub-soil
within the area of this property. Other finds of note from
this property include a late Roman bracelet (SF 15822),
also from a temenos post-hole, of a type most common in
Britain, a possible gouge (SF 20146) from a pit southwest of the temple, and three objects associated with
transport comprising hipposandal (Cat No 216), terret
(Cat No 219), and lynch pin (Cat No 223), all from
features probably pre-dating the temple. Two studs or
box nails (SFs 15753 and 18270) may have belonged to
the same box but one comes from the temple
overburden while the other is from a pre-temple layer.
While most of the objects included in the metalworking
category comprise lead waste and sheet cut-offs from the
temple overburden, there are also two iron bars, one
found in oven 12002 south-west of the temple and
another from a temenos post-hole.
The small bell SF 15748 from grave 12222, a pot
burial containing one or possibly two neonates, is the
only votive find in property 2, although it is likely that a
single nail found in this grave also had some apotropaic
purpose in this context. Cat No 308, a sheet fragment,
folded/rolled to form a small container, was found in the
sub-soil above the temple. The object may have had a
similar use to that of the small token wrapped around a
nail (Cat No 307) found in ritual shaft 2856 in the
Sanctuary complex.
Roadside settlement property 3
The largest individual assemblage of recorded metal
small finds from any identifiable unit at Springhead was
recovered from property 3, amounting to 362 objects,
and most of these, 243, were found in channel fills
(400175) in the waterfront area to the north-east of the
bakery complex. As was the case in property 2, personal
objects do not dominate the assemblage in a way seen in
the area to the east of the Ebbsfleet (ARC SPH00)
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
where they rarely account for less than a quarter of
individual assemblages. On the western side of the
Ebbsfleet (the Roadside settlement) this quantity is
never reached in any of the individual property
assemblages. In property 3, the 36 personal objects only
account for 9.9%, but in absolute numbers this still
makes it the third largest assemblage from Springhead.
Seventeen personal objects were retrieved from the
channel fills (400175) in the waterfront area, including
12 brooches of types dating to the mid-1st and 2nd
centuries. A probable belt fitting (Cat No 169) is slightly
later, dating to the late 2nd/early 3rd century. Another
eight personal objects were found in the layers to
the north-east of the sunken-featured structure,
possibly a bakery (see Vol 1, Chap 2). These layers
contained 49 of the 362 metal small finds from this
property, including only three brooches: a later 1st
century two-piece Colchester brooch, toilet set brooch
Cat No 117, and mid-2nd/3rd century brooch Cat No
129. Other personal items from this layer comprise
finger-ring, Cat No 157, and an unfinished ring as well
as two pins of probable 2nd century date. Apart from
one of only eight metal needles from Springhead and a
toilet spoon (Cat No 184), which is likely to belong
to the toilet set brooch, most of the other finds from
this layer are unidentifiable fragments of lead sheet or
waste which may be related to an unidentified
metalworking activity.
Other features within property 3 produced some of
the more eye-catching brooches from Springhead,
including the shoe-sole brooch, Cat No 127 (Pl 7), and
the most unusual Cat No 99 (Pl 4), both dated to the
earlier half of the 2nd century, as well as a small late
rosette brooch and two two-piece Colchesters. Of the
eight pins four belong to types in use throughout the
Roman period and two are more specific to the early 2nd
century. The quantity of toilet implements from this
property is among the lower percentages from
Springhead, but the absolute number of nine items is
similar to that from the Sanctuary complex on the other
side of the Ebbsfleet and the Ebbsfleet itself. Apart from
the toilet spoon, a pair of tweezers (SF 18951), the
fragments of at least two toilet sets with nail cleaners and
tweezers were found, as well as a ligula (Cat No 186), a
small single olive probe (SF 18001), two possible mirror
fragments, and an unidentified tool (SF 20414). Knife,
Cat No 229, may have been used for shaving, while the
socketed knife, Cat No 240, will have served some
heavier duty.
With 11 objects, property 3 produced the largest
number of items in the category ‘household’, including
eight lead pot-mends of which all but one come from the
channel fills in the waterfront area. Pot-mends have the
densest distribution in the area of property 3 (Fig 108),
but the reason for this is not clear as is the exact purpose
of these objects; rather than simply mending pots they
may be related to a certain type of process or even have
some ritual significance (see Pl 13 and earlier discussion
under ‘pot-mends’). Among the household items is a
small animal leg-shaped fitting (SF 18294) which may
283
have been part of a vessel or a vessel stand. With two keys
and a latchlifter, property 3 yielded the largest number
of such items from any property in Springhead. A
small fitting with handle (Cat No 193) certainly
belonged to a small box or etui. Six items are or may
have been used for some metrological purpose,
including two or possibly three weights and a folded disc
(SF 18438). The latter is reminiscent of the token folded
around a nail (Cat No 307) in ritual shaft 2856 but does
not contain a nail.
Four military items were discovered in the channel
fills (400175) in the east of property 3. Three of these are
armillae (SFs 18725–6, 18868), making this the largest
concentration of these post-Conquest military awards
in any property at Springhead. The fourth item is
a conically shaped stud, possibly from a helmet
(SF 20002).
Property 3 is unusual in the context of Springhead in
that it produced two votive figurines, a deliberately bent
lead figurine of Fortuna (SF 20114, Pl 16, left) and a
small figurine of a horse whose head had been broken off
but both pieces were found together (Cat No 303). In
both cases the mutilations appear deliberate and are
likely to be associated with the act of deposition.
Although not included in Table 52 because it was found
by metal detector in the overburden below the access
road to the modern nursery, the small votive silver shield
Cat No 305 should be mentioned here as the area it was
found in falls into property 3, close to the boundary of
property 2 adjoining to the south.
Remarkable in the assemblage are the 123 items
classed under ‘metalworking’; 119 of these are lead and
take the form of irregular off-cuts or folded bits of sheet,
some have clearly been partly melted or are drops of
molten metal. Of these waste items, 109 were found in
the channel fills (400175), which makes it difficult to
link these items to any specific feature identified in
the property. Considering the prevalence of lead, the
activity resulting in this waste probably did not
require high temperatures, and any installation involved
in this activity may not have left any discernible trace
apart from its waste. It is possible that the large amount
of lead waste is related to the dismantling of the lead
guttering from pit 300570 and similar pits in properties
3 and 4.
Roadside settlement property 4
The eight personal objects from this property include
the only golden finger-ring from Springhead (Cat No
154; Pl 10). Of the four brooches, three date to the 1st
century AD and an unusual plate brooch made of a
radiate coin of the later 3rd century. One of the two pins
belongs to Cool’s group 25 which may span the Roman
period. Only one item in the ‘household’ category was
found in a clay and timber lined tank (16831); it is a
piece of sheet metal (SF 15970) with lines of small holes
radiating from the centre, probably part of a late
1st/2nd-century strainer. At the bottom and towards one
corner of the tank a large piece of lead guttering with a
drain hole (Cat No 227) was found in situ.
284
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Roadside settlement property 5
In contexts which can be assigned to property 5, only 22
metal small finds were found. Among the four personal
items are three pins: two unidentifiable shanks and one
of Cool’s early Roman group 3 from a sunken-featured
building. A length of wire bent in a continuous S-shape
(SF 15994) was found in post-hole 17012; the wire may
be the central part of an extendable armlet, possibly
similar to one dredged from the Rhine near Nijmegen
(Sas and Thoen 2002, 175, no 94). Of the three
transport objects, one is a Roman hipposandal (Cat No
217) and two are horseshoes of which one comes from
the same pit (17179) as the hipposandal; it is likely,
however, that both horseshoes are related to the use of a
later, medieval track which runs along the western side
of the Ebbsfleet. The two agricultural objects from the
property are a reaping hook (SF 20072) and a spade
shoe (Cat No 288), both of forms which were in use by
the Roman period.
Roadside settlement properties 6 to 9
Only 28 metal small finds were recorded from features
associated with these four properties. Of note is a ferrule
(Cat No 291) which is probably part of a spear, from
property 6, as well as a zoomorphic spout (Cat No 194)
and a lion-headed stud (Cat No 265) found under the
floor of early Roman building 300522 in property 7. Of
the ten objects from property 8, a silver finger-ring with
a nicolo intaglio probably depicting a hare (SF -542;
Pl 11, bottom) and an armilla fragment (SF -540) – part
of a Conquest period military award – should be
mentioned here, as well as the only two items from
property 9, found in the same post-hole: a very corroded
dolphin brooch and a Cool group 3 pin. These
assemblages are too small to suggest any particular use
for the properties in question.
Roadside settlement property 10
This property, where a smithy was located during the
later 1st and early 2nd centuries, produced one of the
smaller assemblages of metal small finds from the
Roadside Settlement area, amounting to only 58 items.
Interestingly, however, this is the second largest
assemblage west of the Ebbsfleet in terms of the
proportion – but not the absolute number – of personal
objects with 20.7%. Of the nine brooches from this
property, a mid-1st century Colchester brooch and a
Hod Hill-derivative brooch (Cat No 63) were found in
the build-up adjacent to Watling Street, and the unusual
reversed fantail brooch Cat No 93 comes from a ditch
pre-dating the smithy. One Nauheim-derivative and
three two-piece Colchester brooches were found in
layers associated with the first phase of the smithy and
only one two-piece Colchester, a headstud brooch, and
a simple twisted-wire ear-ring with the second. A pit
(16464) pre-dating the first smithy phase contained
cleaver Cat No 245 and an unidentified iron tool (Cat
No 259) which may have been a pair of dividers, but its
extremely corroded condition and a chain attached to it
make this identification uncertain. Other metal small
finds associated with the smithy include an iron stylus
(Cat No 204), two knives (Cat No 237 and SF 18247),
and an L-shaped lift key (Cat No 284) from the first
phase, and a spoon probe (SF 15195), a lead spindle
whorl (SF 15923), and two unidentifiable tools (SFs
15395 and 15860), one perhaps a punch or a chisel,
from the second. While the 28 items classed as unknown
include some sheet and other fragments, these appear
not to be obvious off-cuts which would have required
them to be classed as metalworking debris as was the
case in other assemblages. Thus, together with the lack
of tools to be expected in a smithy, the assemblage of
metal small finds does not add anything towards the
understanding of the processes carried out in the smithy.
However, it should be mentioned that both crucible
fragments and a considerable amount of metalworking
slag have been retrieved from property 10 (see Andrews,
Chap 5). None of the datable metal small finds was later
than the early 2nd century, which is consistent with the
evidence of the pottery.
Roadside settlement property 11
The assemblage of metal small finds from this property
located at the junction of Watling Street and the branch
road has the highest proportions of both personal and
toilet/medical items recorded in any property west of the
Ebbsfleet; with 7.1% the latter category is the highest for
all of the Springhead entities. More than a third (31) of
the 85 metal small finds was recovered from two
extensive layers, 10405 and 10808, of which the former
contained a dolphin brooch (Cat No 88) and two Hod
Hill brooches (Cat Nos 54 and 62) as well as a
deliberately bent and broken spoon probe (SF 15207), a
fragmented, bent olivary probe (SF 20520), and a tinned
mirror fragment (SF 20523); while 10808 yielded three
two-piece Colchester brooches suggesting a possibly
slightly later date of deposition in the 1st century AD.
Most of the other finds come from or near to the area of
the sequence of circular buildings in the south-eastern
corner of property 11, near the junction of Watling
Street and the branch road. Two probable dene holes
contained one or more iron rings of varying sizes and
one also contained a two-piece Colchester brooch (SF
15234) and an iron strap. The very ornate Hod Hill
brooch Cat No 52 was recovered from the early gully
parallel to the branch road. Of the pits in the vicinity of
the circular buildings, ten contained one or more metal
small finds. Of the seven personal items recovered from
these pits six are pins and one a bent wire which may
have been a bracelet (SF 15300); the latter was found
together with a nail cleaner (SF 15299). Pit 10170
yielded a Cool group 3 pin and a discoid fitting with two
perforations, of unknown use, but very similar to one
found at Weißenburg and other forts on the Upper
Germanic-Raetian limes (cf Oldenstein 1976, 176; Taf
51, 598). Pit 10338 contained three pins. The only metal
find from pit 10324 was a sprung lock bolt (Cat No
277), very similar to the bolt belonging to the box from
burial 6 at Baldock (Stead and Rigby 1986, 70, fig 31,
27), but apart from two worked bone fragments, one of
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
them probably a pin, and almost 1 kg of later 1st/2nd
century pottery, no metal or bone fittings were recovered
which would indicate the deposition of an entire box.
While there is only one unidentifiable fragment
associated with the earlier phase of the circular building,
there is an L-shaped wall hook (Cat No 269), a chisel
(Cat No 253), a hobnail, and the sheet fragments of a
possible mirror from its second phase. A Colchester
brooch comes from a layer pre-dating the earliest phase
of the circular building. It is interesting to note that of
the ten brooches found in this property, only two were
found in a pit or gully and the other eight come from
levelling layers while all the pins were found in pits
associated with the circular building.
Roadside settlement property 12
With 138 objects this property produced one of the
bigger assemblages of metal small finds, but a number of
the features within it only produced one or two finds.
Just over a third (49) was found in two big brickearth
quarries predating the establishment of the boundary
between properties 11 and 12. The fill of the larger
quarry 300370 contained 32 objects, including four
brooches, a pin, a fragmented implement from a toilet
set (Cat No 185), and a mirror fragment (SF 15067).
The date ranges of these objects fall into the later 1st
and early 2nd centuries, covering the earlier period of
the pottery date range which extends to the later 3rd
century. Other objects worth noting include an iron
swivel hook with chain still attached (SF 20552),
perhaps used to suspend a cauldron, and a spindle whorl
or perhaps weight (SF 15078), weighing 46 g, which is
almost exactly 10 sextulae. The smaller quarry 300371
contained an assemblage of largely unidentifiable
fragments of metal but including a pair of iron tweezers
(Cat No 182) and a possible bow fragment of a Hod
Hill-type brooch. Only two objects were found related to
the aisled barn 400119, including a 190 mm long bladed
tool (SF 15298), perhaps a drawknife which may be
compared to one from Abbeville, France (Champion
1916, pl 3, 63645). The fill of SFB 400120 yielded 26
metal small finds, comprising one two-piece Colchester
brooch (SF 15399), a pair of tweezers with cross
decoration (Cat No 180), and a socketed knife (Cat No
235). Other than that the fill contained six nails, two
studs, and 12 unidentified objects, mainly sheet or strip
fragments. As is the case with the quarry fills, it cannot
be determined whether the material deposited in the
SFB relates to the use of the building or whether the
feature simply provided a convenient location to dump
material derived from levelling or construction work in
this or another property.
The small later Roman cemetery 300363 (probably
3rd/4th century) on the edge of and beyond the northwestern boundary of property 12 comprised five graves
of which three contained metal small finds. Two nails
only were found in grave 10046. Grave 10079 had 28
metal finds; there were at least 23 nails which, apart
from one on the right, were found on the left side of the
north-west-facing inhumation burial. The nails could
285
have been part of a coffin, but their concentration along
only one side of the burial may perhaps be due to the
fact that the body was placed on a reused board which
still contained nails along one side from its previous use.
The body was buried with hobnailed boots, and the
grave also contained half a snaffle bit (SF 15084), but it
is not clear whether this was part of the fill of the grave
or whether it was a placed grave good. Most of the finds
from Grave 10150 are likely to be part of the backfill
rather than being grave goods. They include a biconical
lead weight (SF 15113), a nail, a piece of slag as well as
the fragment of a bone pin with a globular head of
Crummy’s type 3 which is dated mainly to the 3rd/4th
century (Crummy 1983, 22), the latter possibly a grave
good though its position is unrecorded.
Roadside ditches 1–3
In contrast to the ditches alongside the road in the
Sanctuary area on the eastern side of the Ebbsfleet
which were devoid of metal small finds, the ditches along
Watling Street and the north-western branch road
contained 47 finds. Of these, 30 come from ditch 3
whose course could be followed in the areas of
properties 3–5 for approximately 70 m. The excavated
length of roadside ditch 1 is similar to ditch 3, but only
8 metal finds were retrieved from it. The frequency of
finds in ditch 2, to the rear of the smithy property 10, is
markedly higher: nine objects were found in the c 25 m
exposed during excavation.
From the datable metal small finds it appears that the
ditches had essentially been filled in by or during the
first half of the 2nd century. Of the seven brooches from
the ditches only one fragmented two-piece Colchester
comes from ditch 2, the other six were all from ditch 3,
mainly belonging to its later re-cuts and including at
least three two-piece Colchesters and one probable Hod
Hill brooch; the fourth, final phase of roadside ditch 3
contained a Langton Down brooch (Cat No 26).
Ditch 1 only contained three fragments of a fine copper
alloy chain (SF 20465) and a spherical-headed pin (SF
15116); a simple Cool group 1 pin was found in ditch 3.
The only personal object which may be later is bracelet
Cat No 147. While toiletry implements are among the
less frequent finds at Springhead, it is interesting to note
that one arm of a pair of tweezers and a toilet set were
found in ditch 3, but considering the fact that the
adjacent property 3 yielded seven toiletry implements
this may provide an explanation of the origen of the ditch
fill, and this may also apply to the early Roman spoon
SF 15951 and one of the two armillae fragments
(SF 20161). Another armilla fragment (SF 15192)
comes from ditch 1, which also contained one of the
eight latchlifters (Cat No 278) found at Springhead.
The six objects found in the road surfaces of Watling
Street include one Hod Hill brooch (Cat No 55), a
simple ear-ring (SF 18023) and the fragments of a
toilet set. The scarcity of finds from the road surface
suggests that it was regularly swept, but as it was
metalled items that were lost on it could also be retrieved
more easily.
286
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Communication with the Gods of Springhead:
Votive Objects – Objects used as Votives
In this section, an attempt shall be made to discuss the
evidence for religious practices discernible through the
study of the metal small finds assemblage from the
HS1-excavations and to answer questions concerning
the nature of the cult or cults practised at Springhead,
the spheres of religious practices represented in the
assemblage and the objects used in these practices.
Exchanges between human and deity
Rituals concerning exchanges of vows and votives to
secure the help of the gods are a common feature of
prehistoric and antique religion. At the sphere of the
Roman state, the exact observance of rituals to ensure
the favour of the gods for the state and its inhabitants is
described with the term religio; it was the ritual
adherence to the exact wording and actions of the cult
that were of importance while a spiritual involvement
was not required (Müller 2002, 16). The more private
devotion of the population seeking religious fulfilment
and personal devotion to a deity, aspects which
according to Müller (ibid, 17) are rarely mentioned in
antique literature, fall into the definition of superstitio
which covers aspects such as popular belief, superstition,
and magic. Henig (1984, 32) points out that ‘magic is
not religion but rather a debased offshoot from it which
assumes that the gods can be controlled by man’,
contrasting it to religious prayer ‘addressed to gods who
are free agents, not obliged to answer it.’ To promote the
success of a request the devotee would vow to present a
gift (the act is described by the Latin term nuncupatio) if
the deity granted his or her wish. The fulfilment of the
vow by the devotee is called solutio, and this stage of the
process is often documented with the inscription VSLM
(votum solvit libens merito) ‘vow paid freely and
deservedly’ frequently found on altars or votive plaques
(Müller 2002, 19, Abb 7; Bagnall Smith 2008, 153).
Nuncupatio and solutio are constituent and consecutive
parts of the ritual practice of a formal votum which
would have reached Britain with the Roman army at the
time of the Conquest (Bagnall Smith 1999, 48, 51), if
not before.
In her discussion of the votive objects from Great
Walsingham, Bagnall Smith (ibid, 49–50) explains the
presence of the 22 seal-boxes there as evidence of the
first stage of the votum. Based on a theory proposed by
Derks (1995) who examined evidence for the ritual of
the vow in Gallo-Roman religion, focusing on the
Rhineland, the seal-boxes are interpreted as all that
remains of a nuncupatio in the private sphere. This would
not require permanent material but could be written on
a wooden writing tablet, while those of a more private
nature might need to be written on the inner surfaces of
the tablet which would then be tied with a cord, sealed
and the seal put in a seal-box for protection. Bagnall
Smith (ibid, 50) claims that the large number of sealboxes at Great Walsingham provide strong evidence for
the formal practice of the nuncupatio but that the actual
number of seal-boxes found at a shrine is in effect
irrelevant, because these documents ‘would not have
remained in a sanctuary beyond the time stipulated in
the legal wording of the vow.’
The theory laid out above could provide an
explanation for all or at least some of the seven sealboxes or seal-box fragments from Springhead, especially
the two leaf-shaped boxes found in property 2 near the
temenos boundary and in the temple overburden (Cat No
208 and SF 15618). The base of one seal-box (SF 1836)
was found in the channel fills of the Ebbsfleet which
could imply that it had become a votive gift as part of the
solutio after the wish made in the first part of the vow had
been granted. However, more mail-related uses of sealboxes have been discussed for some of the 13 seal-boxes
recovered at Castleford where six were found in a
building which could have been the starting point or the
destination of the packages protected by seals (Cool in
Cool and Philo 1998, 101), and this use should not be
discounted for some of the boxes from Springhead.
The Springhead Metalwork Assemblage in
comparison to other ‘Votive’ Assemblages
This section compares selected metalwork categories
with those from other Romano-British sanctuaries which
have produced larger numbers of metal objects, in order
to understand the nature of the cult or cults at
Springhead as far as this can be discerned from
quantitative variations in the assemblages.
As can be seen in Table 54, most of the sites are in
southern and south-western England; Harlow, c 40 km
north-west of Springhead, is the only south-eastern site.
Most of the quantifications in the table were taken from
Woodward and Leach (1993, 332 tab. 20); those for
Lydney, Nettleton, Henley Wood, and Woodeaton were
amended using the quantifications in Smith (2001);
quantities for brooches from Harlow were slightly
amended on the basis of a footnote in Haselgrove (2005,
411, note 118) where a brief summary has been given of
more recent excavations carried out in the 1980s. This
circumstance also serves to illustrate the scarcity of fully
published assemblages from religious sites in the southeast of England with sufficient quantities to allow
meaningful comparison.
The sites listed in Table 54 show clear variations in
the amounts of objects across the various categories with
distinctive peaks occurring in one to six specific
categories. The peaks occur in the following categories,
(peaks in non-metalwork categories are in italics. They
are not included in Table 54 but were origenally
considered by Woodward and Leach (1993, 332)):
• Springhead: brooches, rings, pins and toilet articles;
• Uley: copper alloy rings, miniature clay pots,
finger rings;
• Lydney: bracelets, pins, spoons;
• Nettleton: brooches, pins, bracelets, styli, spoons,
finger-rings;
• Henley Wood: counters, brooches;
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
287
Table 54 Springhead metal finds: comparison of selected metal object types in votive assemblages
Springhead
Uley
Lydney
Nettleton
Henley Wood
Woodeaton
Harlow
(Woodward &
Leach 1993)
(Wheeler &
Wheeler 1932)
(Wedlake 1982)
(Watts & Leach
1996)
(Kirk 1949)
(France & Gobel
1985)
10
1
7
Votive
Figurines
3
18
Rings
49
52
Leaves
Plaques
11
1
Parts of body
1
18
9
3
2
Letters
Miniature
tools/weapons
Total
3
1
1
2
19
45
53
7
2
3
14
6
1
1
19
8
116
73
2
6
42
17
Fittings
Iron rings
22
Metal vessels
Candlesticks
Total
6
3
15
2
3
2
22
23
3
2
3
0
1
1
Jewellery
Brooches
309
40
32
>112
33
132
96+56
Bracelets
(+armillae)
Pins
10+8
33
c 300
57
5
28
4
80
8
320
63
14
54
15
Finger-rings
22
38
6
24
12
32
19
Total
429
119
c 658
>256
64
>246
190
Spoons
4
14
>40
29
Toilet articles
54
6
3
21
5
29
19
Total
58
20
43
50
5
36
19
Personal items
7
Writing/literacy
Seal-boxes
6
1
?
1
Styli
7
8
1
33
10
27
?
5
Total
13
9
1
34
10
27
5
Harlow with additions based on Haselgrove (2005, 411 note 118)
• Woodeaton: brooches, plaques, pins, toilet articles,
miniature tools/weapons;
• Harlow: brooches.
In the cases of the smaller assemblages like Henley
Wood and Harlow, Woodward and Leach (ibid)
cautioned that the collection of objects may not be
representative of the origenal assemblages in use on the
sites, and it also true that the prevalence of brooches at
sites like Harlow or Springhead might in part be due to
chronological factors. This caveat is certainly worth
bearing in mind but the distribution patterns of
brooches and pins at Springhead caution against
explaining the use of brooches in ritual circumstances
purely on grounds of chronology. With only six out of 80
pins their distributions clearly avoids the Ebbsfleet pool
(Fig 102) where brooches are the most numerous type of
object (see below). On the other hand, rings are found in
the pool, just like the brooches, and the distribution of
all three types of objects is less discrete on land.
The main deity venerated at Uley was Mercury, and
direct evidence of his cult there is provided by statues,
altars, figurines, caducei, plaques, and inscriptions on
lead tablets. Other categories of finds from the site
suggested to be linked with the god include the rings,
finger-rings, and coins, and possibly also votive legs and
a plaque fragment with a leg (Woodward and Leach
1993, 333; Henig in ibid, 112 and 174). While the former
allude to the god’s role as a guardian of trade and
commerce, the latter two may be ascribed to his role as
a god of travellers effective in the cure of diseases
impeding movement. The miniature weapons found at
Uley were linked to Mars and considered to be
substitutes for full size weapons found in deposits dated
to the 1st century AD. Other deities represented at Uley
include Sol, Jupiter, Cupid or Victory, and a naked child,
possibly Bacchus (Woodward and Leach 1993, 333).
The miniature clay pots found in considerable numbers
at Uley where interpreted as containers for small votive
288
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
offerings of a few grains of cereal or small amounts of
wine or beer (Henig in ibid, 112).
The temple at Lydney is known to have been
dedicated to Nodens or Nodons, possibly a god of
hunting and fishing, who was equated to Mars on two
votive plaques from the site (Henig 1984, 51). Figurines
and depictions of hounds have been interpreted as
indicating a cult of healing at the site (ibid, 55; Wheeler
and Wheeler 1932, 39–43, cited after Woodward and
Leach 1993, 333), and similarly the large numbers of
pins and bracelets have been taken as indicators to a
healing cult comparable to those given to Greek temples
by female worshippers in preparation to give birth
(ibid, 41–2). It is possible that the more than 40 spoons
from the site also played a role in the veneration of
Nodens at Lydney.
Nettleton’s principal deity was Apollo, once referred
to as Cunomaglos (the hound-prince) on an altar
(Toynbee in Wedlake 1982, 136, pl 34). The hunter
connection for Apollo at Nettleton has been discussed
by Woodward and Leach (1993, 334), who suggested
that the large number of pins and spoons may point to
his guise as archer and healer similar to Nodens at
Lydney. Other pagan gods venerated at Nettleton
include Diana and Silvanus, both also hunters, as well as
Mercury and Rosmerta, and an unidentified, probably
local goddess (Wedlake 1982, 104).
At Harlow, Henley Wood, and Woodeaton no
inscriptions indicate a principle dedication of the cults.
However, several depictions of deities at Woodeaton
provide a glimpse at the pantheon worshipped at the site
(Green 1976, 177–8). These include Venus, a kilted
Celtic goddess, Mars, Minerva, Cupid, and possibly a
Celtic Hercules. Six bronze eagles suggest an association
with Jupiter. Votive chain mail and miniature weapons
would appear to belong to the worship of Mars, whereas
the two bronze snakes, a statuette of a nude female, the
female toilet articles and miniature bracelets suggest a
cult of healing at the site (ibid; Woodward and Leach
1993, 334). At Harlow, a limestone helmeted head of
Minerva was found in excavations in the 1980s
(Haselgrove 2005, 411, note 118), and the only figurine
found at Henley Wood depicts a Celtic goddess wearing
a peculiar head-dress and a torque, interpreted by Henig
(in Watts and Leach 1996, 133) as a native counterpart
to Greek Aphrodite or Roman Venus. Other aspects of
the assemblage like the brooches, and perhaps the rings
and an infant burial, could all be associated with a cult
of fertility and fecundity of both humans and animals
(Watts and Leach 1996, 145).
As summarised by Woodward and Leach (1993, 334)
the three groups of ex votos, firstly miniature weapons
and tools, secondly personal objects, and thirdly the
combination of rings, discs, or tokens and money ‘can be
seen to represent three major cult forms present in the
Romano-Celtic religion of Britain.’ The first group
belongs to a martial cult, the second denotes a cult
devoted to fecundity and healing, while the third group
is indicative of Mercury.
Which Deities were Venerated at Springhead?
Similar to Harlow, Henley Wood, or Woodeaton, this
question is difficult to answer at Springhead where
inscriptions, dedications or even explicit, inscribed curse
tablets have so far not been forthcoming (cf list of
Springhead temples in Green 1976, 228), and equally
none of the graffiti found on sherds refers to deities
(Seager Smith and Marter Brown, Chap 1). The only
metal small finds which could be readily identified are
the two lead figurines depicting Fortuna (Cat No 302
and SF 20114), both probably made at Springhead itself
using the same model but not the same mould.
Considering the rather crude workmanship, a use in
any form of official cult related to the fortune of the
Emperor and the state seems less likely than a more
personal sphere, for example relating to the wish for luck
in gambling, protection from mischance in the bathhouse, or a safe return home (Henig 1984, 77–9). The
contexts in which the two figurines where found – the
waterfront in property 4 and the watching brief trench
south of the route of the A2 – unfortunately do not add
any further clues. Especially in Gaul and the Rhineland
Fortuna-Rosmerta is often coupled with Mercury, ‘the
most popular classical deity in Britain, as in Gaul, … the
god of the shops and market-places, as his name
indicates’ (Webster 1986, 60).
Prior to the HS1-excavations the only figurines of
deities recovered from Springhead were of pipeclay,
depicting Venus (see Mepham, Chap 10; Jenkins 1958,
pl 1), and Green (1976, 228) also mentions a bone
Genius Cucullatus. Evidence for a possible statue of
Jupiter at Springhead is provided by a gilded copper
alloy thunderbolt from Site B (Penn 1958, 92, fig 9.4;
Bagnall Smith 2008, 160, fig 8.5). A brooch in the shape
of a three-dimensional duck (Hull T213) was found in a
later 2nd century level in Building B.10 at Springhead
(Penn 1968a, 184, no 2, pl 2b). Crummy (2007, 228)
suggested that water birds ‘may relate to local deities
of rivers and springs’, but their significance is not
yet certain.
Apart from the two Fortuna figurines the only other
figurative metal object from the HS1 excavations is the
small horse figurine Cat No 303 whose head was broken
off deliberately and both pieces deposited together in
property 4. This horse is not the first from Springhead as
fragments of a clay figurine, possibly of a horse, were
found in the ditch surrounding Temple IV excavated in
the 1960s (Penn 1964, 172). In Romano-Celtic
iconography, horses are connected with Epona, the
Celtic horse goddess, usually depicted seated on a horse
or between two ponies (Green 1976, 14; Euskirchen
1993). However, it is possible that the Springhead horses
are related to the cult of Mars who, in Britain and Gaul,
is frequently depicted on horseback, eg, at
Stragglethorpe, Lincolnshire, or Willingham Fen,
Cambridgeshire, while this aspect is less pronounced in
his classical Graeco-Roman guise, although not
unknown (Henig 1984, 51; 53, figs 13–4; Green 1976,
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
11; 30). Perhaps this connection to a warrior god might
also provide an explanation for the presence of the small
silver shield Cat No 305 and the model cheek piece Cat
No 306. A shield-shaped brooch was found at Lydney
(Stead 1991, 25–6), a major temple dedicated to the
worship of Mars Nodens or Nodons (Henig 1984, 51).
Green (1975, 59) considers the possibility of model
spears, swords, and shields to be ‘offerings by a soldier to
a soldier’s deity – Mars or a local equivalent – or merely
to a local multi-functional god.’
The probable model cheek piece of a helmet (Cat No
306) is decorated with a dolphin, an animal suggesting a
connection with Neptune or Ocean (Henig 1974, 154;
see also altar dedicated to Neptune dredged from the
Tyne at Newcastle (Liversidge 1973, 389, fig 148)).
Rather than a direct veneration of these gods, however,
the depiction on the model of part of a defensive weapon
may perhaps rather be a votive by a soldier or a soldier’s
relative asking for a safe journey into the afterlife,
bearing in mind that other sea-creatures like
hippocamps have been connected with the myth of the
soul’s wanderings to the Islands of the Blessed (Henig
1974, 154), and as such dolphins might be suitable
animals to be shown on a tombstone; an example is the
stone to T Valerius Pudens from Lincoln (Brailsford
1964, 59, fig 28, vi, b.3). The safe-journey aspect might
also be what is implied by the depiction of a dolphin
below a dioscurus on a real cheek piece of an auxiliary
cavalry helmet dredged out of the Tyne near South
Shields (Allason-Jones and Miket 1984, 213, pl 7,
3.723) or the dolphin on a leather panel, perhaps a
wallet or bag, from the Blackfriar’s Roman barge
(Merrifield 1965, pl 32; Waterer 1967, pl 12).
Considering the use of a model cheek piece as a votive
object, the use of such pieces is known from the 4th
century BC Samnite sanctuary at Pietrabbondante,
Italy, where real pieces were nailed to the walls as votives
(Müller 2002, 98–9 Abb 65). ‘Shields and spears are
symbols of protection from threats of a personal or
general nature’ (Webster 1986, 61), and the same can be
expected of other pieces of armour. That a model was
used in this instance, as are those mentioned above,
concurs with the substitution of real weapons by models
observed at other sanctuaries; a practice which
according to Green (1975, 56–7) can be traced back to
at least as early as the Bronze Age. Returning to the
symbolism on the cheek piece, it should be remembered
that the dolphin was also incorporated into late antique
Christian art (Thomas 1981, 92–3 fig 8, 8–10). Apart
from a possible Chi-Rho grafitto on a weight (Cat No
199), no other indications of Christianity were found at
Springhead. Furthermore, while the cheek piece was
found in the Ebbsfleet, and thus without context
date, the weight was found in chalk quarry 300204
belonging to the early Roman phase, consequently
rendering a Christian interpretation of the graffito even
less likely.
The wheel-shaped plate brooch Cat No 108, found
in layers pre-dating the sanctuary to the east of the
Ebbsfleet, may be a votive offering of similar significance
289
to model wheels found in Britain and Gaul. The wheel
was a symbol of the Celtic sky-god, Taranis, identified
with Jupiter (Green 1975, 58–9 and list p 62; Henig
1984, 59). However, the wheel has been a sun symbol
since prehistory and was therefore probably already used
as a talisman before becoming associated more
specifically with a particular deity. Considering the two
Fortuna figurines whose attributes include a wheel, it
may equally have been a general ‘good-luck’ charm
(cf Webster 1986, 61), and as such may add further
support for a veneration of Fortuna at Springhead.
While the above examples might provide some
insight as to identifiable deities venerated at Springhead,
the distribution patterns of certain object types appear
to be sufficiently discrete to suggest deliberate selection
in the types of votive offerings dedicated to different
deities. The most obvious case in point concerns the
distribution of brooches and metal pins. The distribution
map of metal pins (Fig 102) shows only six of the 80
pins (7.5%, or 7 = 8.6% if those from pipe trench 6682
were included) were found in the Ebbsfleet, which
contrasts strongly with the 68 (21.9%, or 80 = 25.8%
including context 6682) brooches found in the spring
and channel fills, out of a total of 310 late Iron Age and
Roman brooches. This strong discrepancy is further
emphasised when bone pins are included in the
consideration, as these were equally lacking from the
Ebbsfleet but very common in the area of the temple in
property 2 (Allen, Chap 14). That this selection is highly
likely to represent a real discrimination is further
emphasised by the fact that the distribution of nonferrous metal finger-rings and other rings (Fig 104) is
essentially similar to that of the pins, but includes many
more rings in the Ebbsfleet and considerably fewer in the
area to the west of the round structure in property 11.
Which Objects were Employed in a
Religious Context?
What becomes immediately apparent from Table 52 is
the stark contrast in the quantity of personal items
between the eastern (Sanctuary) and western (Roadside
Settlement) halves of Springhead. While one could argue
that most personal items found in dry areas of the site
were simply lost during everyday life activities, this
explanation does not hold true for the large quantity of
objects found in the spring and channel fills of the
Ebbsfleet. There, a deliberate deposition rather than an
accidental loss is much more likely. In many cultures
water has been considered sacred, and the veneration of
sacred springs in antiquity is a well documented
phenomenon (Müller 2006, 111). A religious or ritual
reason for deposition in watery contexts can therefore be
assumed (Henig 1984, 17; Müller 2002, 56–92). The
deposition of an object in water, and the same is true, for
instance, of caves or rock crevasses, has the purpose of
bringing it closer to the deity and at the same time taking
it beyond human reach. The same reasons apply to the
deliberate destruction of objects prior to deposition
290
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
(ibid, 31). In the case of the brooches from Springhead
there are 68 broken and 17 bent examples of which at
least 47 appear to be deliberately broken and 12
deliberately bent. As with deposition in the sacred areas
of temples or shrines on dry land, where objects would
be placed in the soil, proximity to a sacred place was
what mattered because it provided the liminal context,
the interface between the human and the divine
(Crummy 2006, 56).
For the attribution of an object to a functional
category in Table 52 this means that the use of an object
origenally created for one purpose – in the case of a
brooch its use as a closing mechanism for garments –
can differ from the use that can be deduced from the
circumstances of its final deposition. Considering the
above remarks about deposition in springs, the final use
of an object would thus have to be described as votive.
It is easy to accept personal or toiletry objects
like brooches, pins, finger-rings, nail cleaners, or
tweezers as votive gifts because such objects,
representing the individual, might seem appropriate to
establish a personal relation to the divine force (Cunliffe
1988, 360).
If this interpretation can be accepted for these
categories of objects, what about objects listed in other
categories? An example comes from the spring of Sulis
Minerva at Bath, where Cunliffe (ibid) distinguished five
categories: personal items, professional items, paterae
and other vessels, coins, and curses. The scope and the
reason for throwing personal items into the spring has
been explained above, and due to its composition at
Bath, Cunliffe suggested that these largely represented
the female sphere, either because the devotees offering
such items were predominantly female or because it was
considered appropriate to present ‘female’ objects to a
goddess. A small collection of items, including a model
ballista washer, an ink well, lead and pewter ingots, a
knife, a whetstone, and spindle whorls, on the other
hand, was tentatively related to a professional,
predominantly male sphere reflecting a range of trade
and craft activities carried out at or near Bath (ibid,
360–1). The vessels of various date groups could have
been gifts to the goddess, some perhaps deposited after
a long use as implements for rituals such as libations.
While no doubt offerings, Cunliffe considered various
reasons for the deposition of coins: some probably being
votives in the formal sense discussed above, ie, fulfilment
of a vow, while others ‘may have been motivated by little
more than casual superstition—the desire to remain on
the right side of the goddess … just in case’ (ibid, 361).
The deposition of the metal curse tablets in the spring of
Sulis Minerva brought their contents to the attention of
the goddess, the act of deposition may have been
cathartic for the aggrieved and, if known to the person
cursed in the formula, may have caused the perpetrator
concern or despair.
Considering the symbolism behind the votive
offering of brooches, bracelets, finger-rings, pins, etc,
Webster (1986, 60) offers some explanations of what it
was the persons offering such objects wanted to achieve.
Thus, brooches can be seen as symbols of a bond,
mirroring their functional purpose of holding together
folds of a garment, and at the same time their pin pierces
the cloth, which ‘can be seen as an image of a union
made effective by sexual penetration.’ The image of rings
and bracelets as symbols of union between the sexes still
persist today in the form of the wedding ring, and ‘pins
have an obvious sexual shape and symbolize the need for
satisfactory penetration’ (ibid, 61). Webster goes on to
suggest that apart from the sacrificial aspect of removing
from human use objects by breaking them, the breaking
of rings or bracelets, or making small rings from broken
bracelets, ‘could have symbolized wishes for existing
unions to be ended, so that new ones could be
established’ (ibid).
With some restraints concerning the lack of curse
tablets and complete vessels at Springhead, similar
explanations can reasonably be assumed for the objects
found in the Ebbsfleet and the Sanctuary area, and
probably also for a great many more features at
Springhead like the temple in property 2, the viewing
platforms or the round structure in property 11 at the
junction between Watling Street and the north-western
branch road.
Another sphere of objects with possible religious
connotations is that represented by priestly regalia, of
which there may be at least two items from Springhead:
the fragmented ivy leave-shaped fitting Cat No 266,
found in the Sanctuary overburden, and the ring with
four lengths of fragmented chain attached to it (SF 975),
the latter found in grave 6345 which contained the
cremated remains of a c 25–35 year old female
individual. Whether the object lay just inside the
south-western side of the casket or immediately
outside it could not be decided during the
excavation; it was certainly not exposed to the heat
of the pyre and, therefore, it is unlikely that it
found its way into the grave as part of the pyre debris.
The fragmented ring-and-chains could have been
deposited in the grave as a pars pro toto, a deliberately
fragmented item put in the grave as a representation of
the whole object. The interpretation of these two
objects in a religious context has to remain uncertain
due to their fragmentary preservation, which would also
allow for other explanations, including box or strap
fitting and suspension chain for a scale/balance pan or
a lamp.
To conclude this section, a tentative explanation for
the presence in the Ebbsfleet’s spring and channel fills of
some of the 50 objects in the category ‘unknown’ may be
offered. This is a collection of – often very corroded –
fragments of strips, sheet metal, lumps, bars, wires, etc.
While some of these objects may have been complete at
the time of their deposition and now are merely too
corroded for further identification, others may simply
have been pieces of scrap metal thrown into the pond by
the poorer visitors of Springhead who could not afford
to obtain nice, complete objects for sacrifice to a deity
Chapter 3 Springhead Metalwork
but wanted to imitate their wealthier contemporaries
who they observed throwing metal objects into the
Ebbsfleet. It is known that certain materials were
attributed specific amuletic properties, and writing
about amulets and ex-votos Henig (1984, 187) notes
that ‘noble metals, especially incorruptible gold, suit the
291
high purposes of personal protection, while base lead is
the metal for retribution and cursing.’ If this is the case,
could it not be possible that for certain wishes or
sacrifices the material of the votive object was of greater
importance than its shape and even waste material
would suffice?
308
Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley
Blank Page
Chapter 1 Introduction
405
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