PAS Finds: Week ended 22 July 2022

July 29, 2022August 5, 2022 Paul

PAS Finds: Week ended 22 July 2022

My selection of the detecting finds recorded at the PAS for the week ended 22 July 2022.

Featured Find

Medieval mount of dog biting its tail

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme CC By SA2.0

Object type: Mount

Period: Medieval

Primary material: Copper alloy

Date found: 16/07/2022

Location: East Hampshire

A cast copper alloy mount in the form of a dog, maybe a lion, biting its own tail. It has been dated to the 12th to 13th century. There are a few similar examples on the PAS database although these are buckles. The circular aperture on this find indicates that it was designed to fit on a rivet and the PAS record suggests it was fitted to a scabbard, casket or processional cross.

Ouroboros

Probably the most well known image of an animal biting its own tail is Ouroboros.

Ouroboros is a serpent or dragon biting its own tail. It appears in several ancient cultures including Egyptian and Chinese. In Norse mythology it appears as Jörmungandr; a serpent that grew so large that it encircled the earth and bit its own tail.

Meaning of Ouroboros

The Ouroboros is generally interpreted as signifying the circle of life; death and rebirth. In some cultures it is a fertility symbol

Link to the discovery of benzene

For lovers of tenuous links to detecting finds:

In 1890 German chemist August Kekulé told an anecdote of how he came up with the structure of benzene in 1865. He said that had a day-dream of a snake seizing its own tail. However, some suggest the Kekulé may just have been having a joke.

Celtic image of dog biting its tail

The image of a dog biting its own tail is an ancient Celtic symbol for renewal and immortality and has even appeared on Irish postage stamps in the 1970s. It is certainly a similar idea and image as Ouroboros although here the dog is leaning over its own back, rather than completing a circle inwards.

This is very similar to the find.

MacMillans Cross, reverse with inset the central part of the cross
Photo: Steve Partridge, CC By Sa2.0 (adapted)

One of the most striking examples of this image is in the centre of the cross in the Kilmory Knapp Chapel in Kanpdale, Argyll and Bute. This cross was commissioned by Alexander MacMillan of Castle Sween in the late 15th century.

On one side is depicted the crucifixion and on the side shown here is a hunting scene and in the centre a dog, probably a wolfhound, biting its own tail.

Selection of other finds

Photo: Somerset County Council

Roman bow brooch

This 2nd century copper-alloy Roman bow brooch is considered to be a Find of Note of National Importance. The PAS record says “Work continues to provide parallels and full identification for this important brooch“

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme CC By SA2.0

Contemporary copy of a penny of Aethelstan I

It is difficult to be certain of the origin of this unusual coin but a contemporary copy of a penny of Aethelstan I seems the most likely. The obverse legend reads +I+EÞELRTIN is a passable attempt at the king’s name and reverse legend of +EAIRRmI may be an attempt at a genuine moneyer’s name. The “keyhole” device on the reverse may be an attempt at a bust. However, it would be unusual to be on the other side of

Photo: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service CC By SA2.0

Roman cosmetic pestle

This cosmetic pestle dates to 100 BC – AD 150. The loop is in the form of a stylised bird head. It has been designated a Find of Note of County Importance.

Photo: Birmingham Museums Trust CC By SA2.0

Erotic pipe tamper

Only the top half of this 18th century pipe tamper remains. It consists of a male and female figure in an erotic embrace. This fits in with popularity of bawdy scenes in art, literature and artefacts at the time.