Lincolnshire Portable Antiquities Scheme

20/06/2025

This week's is a Roman copper alloy and enamel Colchester Derivative Rearhook Fantail brooch, dating to c. AD 40 - 70. A hook projects centrally from the wings, curving toward the reverse and tapering to a broken point. The brooch also extends into a flat, flaring foot. This section features two triangular panels, each terminating in a knop, forming gentle arcs along the outer edge. Each triangular panel contains dark enamel.

Mackreth states 'The distribution shows that the factory making [this brooch] was located somewhere in southern Norfolk or northern Suffolk' (Mackreth 2011, vol 1, p. 68).
PAS no. LIN-6C10F8

13/06/2025

This week's is a post medieval copper alloy belt hook, dating to c. AD 1450 - 1550. The object is anthropomorphic in form. At the base there is an integral hollow tube which would have originally suspended keys, a purse, or a pouch. A belt would have been threaded through the open rectangular clip at the back. The figure is depicted in a fashionable 15th-century Italian costume, wearing a short tunic and hood (or chaperon). It is posed with hands resting on its hips and elbows extended outward.

This belt hook represents a distinctive German type and is a significant find, with only a limited number known from England. This is the third example recorded by the PAS and the second example in Lincolnshire. It is therefore listed as a Find of Note.
PAS no. LIN-EE3DF6

06/06/2025

This week's is a Roman copper alloy and enamel mount, dating to c. AD 80 - 250. The mount has a flat plate, which takes the shape of a circle with eight radiating triangles. The circular plate is recessed and decorated with enamel, which has deteriorated to a lime and green colour with flecks of red. Banded enamelling in tones of grey and white forms a cross, radiating from the central aperture to the border. The reverse is flat with two integral rivets or brackets, each in the form of a T.

This style of mount is not common on the PAS database and is therefore listed as a Find of Note.
PAS no. LIN-6DE105

30/05/2025

This week's is a medieval copper alloy buckle plate, dating to c. AD 1100 - 1300. The surface of the plate is decorated with an enamelled abstract human face. The skin is shown by white enamel, the eyes with blue enamel, and the lips with red. Below the face is a long rectangular strip of blue enamel probably representing a piece of clothing. The face presumably represents a saint.

PAS no. LIN-E64986

23/05/2025

This week's is an Iron Age gold quarter stater of a Gallo-Belgic type, dating to c. 80 - 60 BC. The obverse shows a boat with two occupants. The reverse depicts an abstract head facing left. This is a find of note due to it's rarity, both in Lincolnshire and throughout the country.

PAS no. LIN-520205

16/05/2025

This week's is an early medieval Viking imitation silver penny of Alfred the Great, dating to c. AD 880 - 899. Minted in Stamford by the moneyer Herebere.

PAS no. LEIC-F9B626

09/05/2025

This week's is a Roman copper alloy sceptre terminal in the form of Mars, dating to c. AD 150 - 250. Mars is shown with a narrow triangular nose with a large pellet to either side representing the eyes. There are numerous artefacts found in Lincolnshire that directly or indirectly represent Mars, showing that he was a popular deity in this region.

PAS no. YORYM-36E9D2

03/05/2025

Check out Louth Museum's blog post about their newest display featuring a Viking silver ingot!
Reported to the PAS by the finder Richard Seth and kindly donated to Louth Museum.
PAS no. LIN-457B31

Louth Museum is independent, owned and operated by the voluntary charity, the Louth Naturalists’, Antiquarian and Literary Society, founded in 1884.

02/05/2025

Who is the figure and what was its function? Don't forget to put your suggestions and ideas on here or in the suggestion box near the display!

02/05/2025

This week's is an early medieval Anglo-Saxon silver sceat, dating to c. AD 675 - 750. The obverse shows two hooded figures facing each other. The reverse features a Celtic cross with rosettes in each angle of the cross.

This is the first example of its type recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme for Lincolnshire and is therefore a 'Find of Note'.

PAS no. LIN-20AC04

25/04/2025

What do you think this mysterious Roman object is? Is it a candlestick? Or a vehicle fitting? Does it depict the Roman god Mars? Or is it a servant?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Come and see this object on display in the Usher Gallery from 1st May - 12th May

18/04/2025

Happy Easter everyone! This week's is an early medieval copper alloy strap end, dating to c. AD 875 - 925. The obverse surface is embellished with stamped ringed dots and a central rib. There is evidence of silvering across the face, extending onto the ribs. The reverse side is undecorated yet silvered. It is Scandinavian in style and has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.

PAS no. LIN-17455E