II. Finds Reported under the Portable Antiquities Scheme

• Published in: Britannia (Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies) 2010-11, Vol.41, p.409-439
• Main Author: Worrell, Sally
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coins; Iron Age; Medical equipment
• ISSN: 0068-113X; 1753-5352
• DOI: 10.1017/S0068113X10000516

INTRODUCTION The PAS was established in 1997 as an initiative to record archaeological objects found by members of the general public and was extended to the whole of England and Wales in 2003.1 Surveys of Roman period finds recorded by the PAS have been published in Britannia annually since 2004. For convenience of presentation and to enable comparison with other datasets, the Roman non-ceramic artefacts have been subdivided according to function, based on the scheme proposed by Crummy, with some modifications.2 As in previous years, the 2008 data include only a small quantity of the many artefacts recorded from Norfolk, although all records have been entered onto the Norfolk Historic Environment Record. NUMBERS OF NON-CERAMIC ARTEFACTS RECORDED BY THE PAS IN 2009 BY COUNTY AND TYPE KEY A. Brooches B. Other objects of dress and personal adornment C. Toilet and medical equipment D. Household utensils, furniture fittings, copper-alloy vessels, keys, weights, textile equipment E. Objects associated with written communication F. Objects associated with religious beliefs and practices G. Harness equipment H. Button-and-loop fasteners, toggles I. First- to third-century military equipment J. Fourth-century belt fittings K. Studs/mounts L. Miscellaneous objects M. Objects of unknown/uncertain function N. Coins As in previous years, coins are the most common Roman artefact recorded: the 13,537 single coin finds recorded in 2009 account for 80 per cent of all metallic finds and include 19 Greek and Roman Provincial coins.3 The total number of Roman coins recorded by PAS now stands at around 85,000. Circular plate, various – non-PAS The new data confirm the pronounced regional focus in the distribution of the type, with a particular concentration of PAS finds in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, East, North and West Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire.