Top Finds

Today we uncovered a Soldino Steno. The English economy during the 15th and 16th centuries started using the Venetian Soldino to fill the gap as the halfpenny was in short supply.The Soldino, which means "little shilling" entered the English economy through trade with the Venetian merchants, this coin quickly became widespread currency across England. . read more ...

Copper alloy annular brooch - Medieval circa 1200 to 1400 read more ...

This copper alloy Roman Fibula Brooch was found on the day that Digging for Britain were filming. It has since been dated to between 70 and 200 AD. You can see where the pin was attached to the back.This item has been entered onto the Portable Antiquities Scheme data base.https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1130068 read more ...

A spindle whorl is a disk-shaped object with a hole in the centre, and it is used in the ancient art of making cloth. It is a weighted object placed on a spindle to help maintain the spindle’s speed of rotation while spinning wool. The size of the whorl is directly proportional to the length of the spindle, and is of direct bearing on the type and weight of the material being spun, with heavier wh read more ...

This arrowhead we believe is a Type 1 Chippenham, dating from the late Saxon/Viking period, and are able to date this due to a socket size of 6 to 7mm in diameter. It probably dates between 900 to13 AD. read more ...

Heads from hair or dress pins are made from two convex halves soldered together may be medieval or early post-med. Photograph by Brian Irwin.Medieval pinsMedieval dress or hair pins are not particularly easy to distinguish from pins of other dates, especially when they have solid heads. Separate heads are common in medieval pins; wound-wire heads and heads made from two convex halves soldered toge read more ...

Saxon Harness Cheek Piece or horse harness fittings circa 10th centaury. Photograph by Brian IrwinFurther information on previous finds -- C10thC Saxon harness cheek piece Saxonharnessfittings (colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk)These examples of Cheek Pieces were found in Colchester 2013 by a metal detecting club. read more ...

This coin looks Roman is 15mm across and weighs 1.84 g. There is a head on one side, possibly a Roman Emperor and on the other side two solders facing each other. Below is what we think to be the same coin but in better condition.Photograph by Brian IrwinConstantine I, AE follis, Alexandria. CONSTANTI-NVS MAX AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers, holding read more ...

Medieval Strap End dating to circa 750 - 900 AD. Possibly made from a copper alloy, consisting of an attachment end terminating to a blunt end which may have been broken off at some point.Photograph by Brian IrwinFurther information relating to a similar find from the British Museum. read more ...

This item is made of iron, and there are several thoughts as to what it might be. A clothes Fastener from the Saxon period or could even be a leg of a bowl?Photograph by Brian Irwin read more ...

Copper Alloy Belt Plate or end probably Saxon period. On cleaning it was found to have a diagonally engraved pattern along it's edge. There are also two small holes, speculatively for small decorative items?Photograph by Brian IrwinShowing the reverse side to picture above. read more ...

This stud was probably made from a copper alloy, which had a brightly painted face. Traces of blue enamel can still be seen.Age circa 2nd to 4th century BCPhotograph by Brian Irwin read more ...