🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Relic deep down on a Roman road.

[Urien of Rheged]

I've had a couple of Roman sesterius close to where this came up this morning directly on the line of an old Roman road (circa 70 - 120AD) in Lancashire England. Both coins where deep targets that where under the soil and into the sand clay level. And so too was this thing whatever it is. That deep green patina and general feel instantly made me believe it's something from the Roman, early medieval era. Taking it home and washing it just under tepid water a blueish hue has become quite clear

especially on the inner core.
Any ideas folks?
Always appreciated.

 

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[Beeps in my sleep]

Could it be part of an old lamp? I am not talking about modern but more like an old oil lamp.

 

[Gene Mean]

What's the material?

 

[Urien of Rheged]

What's the material?

It's a bronze alloy

 

[Urien of Rheged]

I know just being on an old Roman road doesn't necessarily mean it's Roman era as those roads where used for generations and many if not most are still in use to this day
Ive found medieval Coins and relics in the vicinity of this Roman road before so I know not to assume. But I'll admit I'm convinced this is something from that period especially so with it having that blue colour as that was a fashion among the Romano Britons along with bright reds and other colours on what where often mundane everyday items. Difficulty with identifying this one is how to describe the damn thing in a Google search. If anyone can just help me with that one I'd be grateful at this point.
It's annoying me now

 

[Almy]

Looks like it was turned on a lathe by the lines around it and it appears to be threaded.

 

[Gene Mean]

Do you think wood went through the hole? What else right?

 

[Urien of Rheged]

Looks like it was turned on a lathe by the lines around it and it appears to be threaded.

It does look like it's been turned by lathe but I think that's a decorative enamel looking closely. And indeed it does appear to be threaded not on the inside but on both protrusions. As if two other pieces screwed on to this. Bit of an odd one and it's starting to really irritate me now this one becuase I just know it's of antiquity. I found a medieval chape in the same area rhat was only half the depth of this and this is old pasture never seen a plough

 

[Gene Mean]

Google provided this. Don't know authenticity.

 

[Urien of Rheged]

Google provided this. Don't know authenticity.
View attachment 2193526

You know pal I said to my mate yesterday jokingly that it would be an ultimate bucket lister if it was an axle pr something from a British chariot and now you just got my heart pumping with this.
I've often said that you'd expect more bits of chariots being found here in Britain. When Julius Caesar invaded (and got his arse handed to him twice) he stated that as the autumn set in the British Pendragon allowed most of his forces to go home for harvest leaving "just" 4000 chariots to face Caesars army. They where obviously common vehicles yet so few have ever been unearthed.

 

[Red-Coat]

I don’t believe that's from a chariot hub. I don't know what it is but, if it does have ‘V-form’ threads on both ends for attachment or to act as some kind of connector, it’s really unlikely to be as old as ‘Roman’.

Screw threads have of course been around for a very long time (since at least 400 BC) but initially used as ‘drive’ mechanisms for things like screw presses. Initially they were large and usually carved from wood.

Metal fastening threads for attachment purposes were known in the Roman world but examples are relatively rare and typically seen on items that could be dis-assembled for convenience of transport. Like this 1st Century travelling lamp holder with a shaft comprising four sections that screw together:

[Picture from ‘The Production of Roman Metal Screw Threads’ by David Sim & Chris Legg published in the EXARC Journal in 2023]

Note however the length of the threaded areas. Shorter threads on items used for fastening purposes aren’t really seen until the 1500s.

 

[cudamark]

Looks like it was turned on a lathe by the lines around it and it appears to be threaded.

To me, it looks more like decorative lines rather than threads. I don't see them taper toward either end, but, rather go straight around.

 

[Urien of Rheged]

To me, it looks more like decorative lines rather than threads. I don't see them taper toward either end, but, rather go straight around.

Yes you're actually correct the lines are straight circles rather than threads

 

[searcher]

Part of a whip...?

 

[CreekSide]

Interesting find

 

[Urien of Rheged]

Part of a whip...?

Could you elaborate a little on that one please. I think I know why you're saying this but just to clarify.

Interesting find

And not the first find I've had that can't seem to be identified.
I guess theyre intriguing and keep the old brain matter ticking over as you tey figure out what's what but irritating nonetheless.
It will go to the experts at the portable antiquites scheme and eventually I should get at least a tentative ID but thst could take ages and I'm one of those impatient types really.
I so need to know

 

[searcher]

Could you elaborate a little on that one please. I think I know why you're saying this but just to clarify.

Possibly the butt end of a flagrum handle.
From the pics I've seen, most are made where the handle passes through the hand stop instead of an end cap style of hand stop.

On this piece, the way the middle rib tapers It looks more like a mid grip or hand stop.
Maybe whip, spear, longer handle sword(not Roman).
I have no expertise in handling Roman relics. Just what I've studied and pictures.

It will be interesting to see what the experts say.

What is the diameter of the hole?

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

French tickler for the undersized