Archaeology Notes

Event ID 855789

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/855789

NO24SE 125 279 429

NO 279 429 Metal detecting by Mr. J Anderson (Kilbirnie) recovered three fragments of Roman cavalry horse-harness equipment. The pieces are here identified by Fraser Hunter as a junction loop fragment and two strap terminal. The junction loop comprises a centrally perforated disc-body with a tapering bar beyond this. The rest of the body is broken off from wear. A broken-tipped hook swells out from its junction with the body. The hook/body junction is defined by a plain collar. The original surface is poorly preserved. It measures 45.5 (l) x 13 (w) x 10.5mm (h). The more substantial of the strap terminals survives as a rectangular body (broken) ending in a tripartite moulding with a ball and collar terminal. The surface has been tinned or silvered. There are traces of probable incised decoration on the outer surface of the body. It measures 39.5 (l) x 16 (w) x 12.5mm (th). The second terminal is both smaller and more fragmentary - all that survives is the tripartite moulding with the ball and collar terminal. Faint traces of tinning/silvering can be seen on the moulding. It measures 21 (l) x 11 (w) x 10mm (th). All three pieces are typically Flavian pieces of cavalry equipment and had been in use for some time before loss/disposal. They can be taken to suggest the presence of an otherwise unknown Flavian military site in the immediate vicinity (ie nearer than Cardean fort, beside Meigle), and the findspot is close to the putative line of the Roman road connecting Cardean and Cargill. Recent aerial photography by David Woolliscroft (Roman Gask Project) of the Isla valley has not identified further Roman sites but has recorded cropmarks close to East Camno, requiring further analysis but tentatively identified as round houses. The material was declared Treasure Trove and allocated to Perth Museum and Art Gallery.

M Hall and F Hunter, 2006.