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1884.138.34.1

Gilt bronze band; now broken into 2 pieces

1884.138.34.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Gilt bronze band; now broken into 2 pieces
Long description
Copper-alloy band (broken in half) with four studs that have been pierced through the band and soldered or fuse welded in place. The two finished ends come to a tear-drop point with perforations. The object appears to be gilded. [CG [Excav. PR] 24/01/2013]
Geographical reference
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
England Kent Shepway Folkestone Castle Hill [Caesar's Camp] "Outer rampart"
Date / Period
Archaeological period: Medieval
Date collected
1878 June 12
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Copper Metal, Material Gilt Metal, Process Gilded, Process Perforated
Dimensions
Thick: max 8 mm, Thick: max 8 mm, Width: max 9 mm, Width: max 9 mm, Length: max 65 mm, Length: max 66 mm, Weight 11 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.138.34.1 Accession number: 1884.138.34.2 Other numbers: 34 PR no.: ?/ 12191
Research and responses

Described by Pitt-Rivers (1883: 442, 464) as "Copper gilt band ornamented with four studs similar to the one on fig. 27, perhaps a fragment of horse furniture; found 3 feet 10 inches (1.169m) beneath crest, in body of Outer Rampart, June 12th.'", and illustrated as Fig. 34 on Plate XIX [CG [Excav. PR] 24/01/2013] [Dan Hicks 20/03/2013]

Further described by Pitt-Rivers (1883: 447-448) as: "a copper gilt band (Plate XIX. fig. 34), ornamented with four studs on one side exactly similar to that represented in Plate XIX. fig. 27, and found in the trenches in the interior of the Citadel. The section of the band of copper is flat on one side and convex on the other, its greatest thickness 0.13 inch (0.002 m.) and breadth 0.24 inch (0.006 m.), the studs are on the convex side, and it is bent towards the flat side. The ends are pointed and turned up towards the convex side and pierced with holes 0*14 inch (0*002 m.) in diameter for the reception of nails or rivets. What use it served I am unable to conjecture; the gilding adhered to the copper in places; it is 4-86 inches (0-123 m.) in length." [Dan Hicks 20/03/2013]

Further information and research notes on this site compiled in the 1970s by Revd. AH Gibson are held at Folkestone Library (see correspondence and copies of Gibson's notes in RDF) [JC 7.11.96]

OED online: Clench: I. That which clenches or is clenched. 1. That part of a nail or bolt which is turned back in clenching. Also CLINCH. [AP 03/10/2006]

Associated publications
Pitt-Rivers, A.H.L.F. 1883. Excavations at Caesar’s Camp, near Folkestone conducted in 1878. Archaeologia 47: 429-465 - illustrated as Fig. 34 on Plate XIX. [Dan Hicks 20/03/2013]

Search terms: Tool, Unidentified Object

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