Headstud brooches, like this, are one of the most common, best-known & longest-lived types from Roman Britain. They're a native British type, probably manufactured by groups of travelling craftsfolk, & are most frequently found in the north of England. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

The title Augustus was given to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate #OTD in 27BC making him the first Roman Emperor. This denarius of Augustus issued in 19-18 BC shows two laurel branches, the traditional symbols of victory. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Iron Age/Roman bovine mount is cast as bull’s head. It’s a Type 8b which is the most common of these vessel fittings, totalling c.40% of all known. They've a wide date range as we lack contextual evidence for them and cluster in the midlands and north. finds.org.uk/database/art... #FindsFriday

Next week is the 18th anniversary of the discovery of the Vale of York Hoard. It was acquired by the Yorkshire Museum where it is currently on display as part of the Viking North exhibition. Cake courtesy of Amy Downes, the recording FLO. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This beautiful ring is inscribed with the names the three Magi, Jasper, Melchior & Balthazar. These names are often found on medieval jewellery & were considered to convey protective or magical qualities against sickness, particularly fever & epilepsy. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This spoon terminal depicts Mary & baby Jesus. It's from a set of Apostle Spoons which would include all twelve Apostles, & Jesus or Mary. They were commonly given as Christening gifts & made from silver, with cheaper pewter or copper examples also known. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Absolutely over the moon that the York MeRit Project was picked as runner up in the award for Engagement and Collaboration by the Society of Museum Archaeology. I'm super proud of this one and all the people who made it happen. socmusarch.org.uk/conference/

The is one half of a Roman cosmetic set. It is a mortar which would have paired with a pestle & used for grinding small quantities of powders for cosmetic or medicinal use. They are thought to be a British phenomenon with origin in the pre-Roman Iron Age. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a somewhat squashed Roman penannular brooch. This distribution of this type of brooch focuses on Roman military sites & by towns. The use of humped pins is concentrated in the north of Britain. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Iron Age/Roman enamelled stud may once have decorated the hilt of a sword. Red glass, coral & stone features in a range of weapons as well as chariot fittings, pendants & brooches. Chequerboard enamel is also seen on Roman button & loop fasteners. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a shilling of William III. These are often found worn smooth & bent into an S-shape & interpreted as love tokens but their significance is not understood, Traditional 'love tokens' were inscribed with a name, but most of these coins are uninscribed. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

These are often mistaken for Early-Medieval pins but they are medieval strap ends. Only one published example is known from a 14th-15th-century context in Hartlepool. Some feature a terminal cross as on 13th-14th-century strap-ends. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This lovely gold coin is an Ecu d'or au Soleil du Dauphine of Francis I of France dating to c.AD 1515 - 1528. The reverse depicts the quartered field of France-Dauphiné, under a sun. It was minted in Crémieu, southeastern France. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

An excellent and detailed thread from @trixranderson.bsky.social on the discovery of a wonderful assemblage which shows what can be achieved when detectorists and archaeologists work together.

This 13th century seal matrix depicts a bird surrounded by a Latin legend which reads [FRA]NGE LEGGE TE[GE] and translates to ‘Break, read, conceal’. Most medieval matrices were made of metal, but ivory, like this example, jet, and soapstone are also known. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This assemblage of Early-Medieval material was found by a metal detectorist. Realising the significance of the find, they stopped & followed our Emergency Excavation Protocol allowing the find to be professionally excavated, preserving its important context. #FindFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This amazing object is a Bronze Age palstave axehead c.1500-1250 BC. The axe would be hafted to a forked wooden handle held in place by high flanges & deep stop ridge. It is decorated with a trident-like shield design. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver coin is a groat of Queen Mary dating to AD 1553 - 1554. These are often mistaken for Queen Elizabeth coins as they are often very worn. Tell-tale signs include the reverse legend and style of lettering. finds.org.uk/database/art...

This beautiful object is a Bronze Age barbed & tanged arrowhead, c.2300 - 1700 BC. Arrowheads often represent the pinnacle of flint working, requiring extensive detailed working to create the necessary shape. These Bronze Age examples are some of the finest. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Palaeolithic handaxe would be unusual in Yorkshire but is normal for Norfolk where it was found. The area has a rich flint industry with a variety of tool and flake types and sites ranging from c.900,000-500,000 years ago. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Terret rings were rein guides on chariots or carts in late Iron Age/early Roman period. They were set in a line along the yoke in groups of 5. Examples are known from 3rd or 2nd century BC East Yorkshire chariot burials as well as the later 1st century AD. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a silver (possibly silver plated) contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Trajan (AD 98-117) dating to c. AD 98. The non traditional portrait and blundered legends show this to be a contemporary copy rather than an official issue. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Early-Medieval strap end is decorated with moulded zoomorphic designs featuring stylized animal heads. This design is seen on a selection of metalwork of Scandinavian & Anglo-Scandinavian origins, including strap-end mounts from Borre, Vestfold, Norway. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

The boar was a symbol of Richard III who died #OTD in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth. Badges like this one from Stillingfleet, North Yorkshire, were worn by his household & followers. It was declared Treasure & acquired by the Yorkshire Museum #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a silver miliarensis of Constantine II, c.AD 337-340. The reverse legend means "Joy of the Roman People". It was intended to foster a sense of unity and optimism, especially during times of stability or celebration. #FindFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Iron Age strap fitting, or toggle has bright red enamel set within intricate triskele-swirled motifs. These objects are becoming increasingly common finds with greater variations in style & decoration apparent through recording with PAS. FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This gold halfpound of Elizabeth I dates to AD 1594-96. A small cross is scratched into the surface of the coin, behind the bust. The reason for this intentional treatment is not fully understood but was perhaps related to religious tensions of the time. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

These partifacts can cause confusion & be mistaken for dress hooks. They're pins from distinctive, decorative buckles known as ‘disc-on-pin’. The pointed end was functional, but the disc would be hidden behind the strap, unless held back on themselves. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This medieval harness pendant is decorated with a lion standing, forepaws raised, hind legs apart, & forked tail. They date to 12th-14th century. Many have common motifs like lions, crowns, & fleur-de-lis. Some featured mythical creatures. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This lovely Roman bow & fantail brooch dates from the late 1st - early 2nd century. It's decorated with colourful enamel & the metal, now green, would originally have been shiny & brassy, almost gold in colour. These are a derivative of the Trumpet Brooch. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman nummus of Constantine I was issued in AD 320. The reverse depicts two captives seated under trophy and proclaims "courage of the army" #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a copper-alloy apron fitting. Images on gravestones show the apron was worn by legionary and auxiliary foot soldiers. It formed part of the equipment of Roman soldiers from the mid-1st century BC, falling out of favour in the early 2nd century AD. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman denarius of Septimius Severus shows the emperor in military attire on horseback. It proclaims 'the most auspicious return of the emperor' after having established peace in the east by the destruction of Pescennius Niger. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver panel from a medieval reliquary pendant depicts the ‘Agnus Dei’ (Lamb of God). It is currently on display @yorkshiremueum as part of the Medieval Ritual Landscape Project #FindsFriday #MeRit #MedievalRitual #Religion finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman silver denarius of Nerva bears the imagery of clasped hands holding a legionary eagle with an inscription which translates to "Unity of the Army". This refers to the harmony and cooperation within the military during Nerva's reign. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Three ribbed Yorkshire type axes, like this one, are a well-known part of the Ewart Park metalwork assemblage of the British Late Bronze Age, c.1000 - 800 BC. In Yorkshire, many have been found as single finds as well as in hoards. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

#OTD 13 years ago, myself and @YMT_Adam excavated the Bedale Hoard following its initial discovery by two metal detectorists. The hoard was reported as #Treasure and acquired by the Yorkshire Museum. finds.org.uk/database/art...

This stunning Neolithic knapped, ground, polished stone axehead was found in a river in Yorkshire. It's likely made of Langdale tuff. Langdale axes have been found throughout England & are evidence for exchange of materials in the Neolithic. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This medieval key is made from a sheet of metal, cut & rolled to form its shape. A high proportion of sheet keys were found at Meols on the Wirral coast where they were thought to be local replacement for lost or broken cast examples.#FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Join us at the Yorkshire Museum, York for a showcase of recent work by the Medieval Ritual Landscape Project, local metal detectorists, & digital animation students from York St John University? Book your tickets for this FREE event on Friday 13th June here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/merit-medi...

This is an almost complete Roman bow & fantail brooch. These are particularly frequent in the East Midlands, especially Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire. Their triangular foot includes a variety of decorative motifs, including colourful enamel. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Mercury is a common Roman deity found as a figurine in Britain. Though widespread, they are concentrated across southern England. God of merchants & travellers, & messenger of the gods, Mercury is shown with winged boots, money bag & caduceus. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Construction of St. Peter's Basilica began #OTD in AD 1506. St Peter, chief among Jesus's apostles and also the first Bishop of Rome (Pope), is commonly depicted, along with St Paul, on papal bulla issued by the papacy in the medieval period. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver Early-Medieval Northumbrian penny was issued jointly under King Æthelwald Moll and Archbishop Ecgberht of York. It was issued between AD 759 – 765 and was likely minted in York. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This radiate of Allectus dates to AD 293-6. The obverse legend is probably a variant, but the overall style of the coin suggests it might be irregular. This coin is included in Sam Moorhead's new corpus for RIC which is out now. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

The Melsonby Hoard is one of the UK's most significant Iron Age finds & could rewrite what we know about the period. Help the Yorkshire Museum acquire & conserve the hoard, keeping it in a public collection. #FindsFriday #SaveTheMelsonbyHoard Donate today: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-m...

The Melsonby Hoard was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2021 & subsequently declared Treasure. The Yorkshire Museum aim to raise £500,000 to acquire & conserve the hoard, keeping it in a public collection. Help keep the hoard in Yorkshire & donate today at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-m...

This is a silver medieval penny of Edward I dating AD 1307–1309. I've recorded hundreds of similar coins but they can be challenging as the style was used across multiple kings with little variation. Tiny details can help distinguish one type from another. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a silver Post-Medieval groat of Philip and Mary from AD 1554-1558, often mistaken for Queen Elizabeth's coins. Differences in bust style, lettering, and legends help differentiate them, provided they aren't too worn of course. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is an Early-Medieval inset lead weight dating to the 9th-11th centuries. They are an insular Viking phenomenon believed used to weigh precious metals for trading. #FindsFriday #Viking #Inset