PAS Review: week ended 25 June 2021

July 2, 2021July 9, 2021 Peter

PAS Review: week ended 25 June 2021

A round-up of some of the finds recorded at the PAS for the week ended 25 June 2021. There were 277 finds recorded in this week, including 1 Find of Note.

Featured Find

Roman Figurine

Photo: National Museum Wales CC By SA2.0

Object type: Figurine

Period: Roman

Primary material: Lead

Date found: 21/06/2021

Location: Flintshire

Although uncertain, this is thought to be a Roman figurine of Priapus. It has an even surface patina, which may be the result of touching as a safeguard against the evil eye.

Priapus

In Greek mythology, Priapus was a fertility god and is usually depicted with an oversized, permanent erection. A fresco, rescued from Pompeii following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, depicts Priapus.

In Hellenistic times the worship of Priapus was widespread. Sophisticated urban society looked on him with ribald amusement, but in the country he became the god of gardens. Primitive statues of the god were set-up in vegetable plots to promote fertility with the added benefit of acting as a type of ‘scarecrow.’

Selection of other finds

Photo: Birmingham Museums Trust CC By 2.0

Harness pendant

The pendant depicts three lions passant gardant (on all fours with one front paw raised) holding a broad sword on a red background. These are the arms of England between 1198 – 1340. Across the top is a dark blue label comprising a horizontal bar with three lines descending. This is the mark of the heir to the throne and these arms were borne by the future Edward II and Edward III.

Photo: Bristol City Council CC BY SA2.0

Scabbard chape

The chape is formed from a folded piece of sheet metal which has been shaped to resemble a bird. It is thought to be an end protector for an 11th century scabbard knife.

Photo: Surrey County Council CC BY SA2.0

Plate with IHC Christogram

A late Medieval copper alloy plate engraved with an IHC Christogram. IHC denote the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. These may also be represented as “IHS”, “JHS” or “JHC”.

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme CC By 2.0

Seal Box Lid

The heart shaped lid of a Roman seal box thought to date from 100 – 300 AD. Although now in poor condition, the intricate workmanship can still be seen. The outer face is decorated with micro mosaic enamel insets and the copper alloy element is thought to have been cast in a cuttlefish bone. It has been designated a Find of Note.