Record Details

NHER Number:20426
Type of record:Find Spot
Name:Late La Tène copper alloy scabbard

Summary

Found while looking for newts in spoil from an irrigation pond (NHER 20427). A Late La Tène copper alloy scabbard, bent in half. This site is where the spoil was dumped. The scabbard is thought to have come from the peat around the pond. This elaborately decorated piece was made in the Late Iron Age and may have been folded in two to ceremonially break or kill it before giving it to the gods by placing it in the water. The scabbard is rare and is decorated in a style similar to the Snettisham torcs (NHER 1487). Later metal detecting found no more finds at this site.

Images

  • An Iron Age scabbard from Congham.  © Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service. NWHCM 1986.249:A
  • The decorative detail on an Iron Age scabbard from Congham.  © Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service. NWHCM 1986.249:A
  • The decorative detail on an Iron Age scabbard from Congham.  © Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service. NWHCM 1986.249:A

Location

Grid Reference:TF 70 24
Map Sheet:TF72SW
Parish:CONGHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

January 1984. In spoil dumped from irrigation pit, site NHER 20427 (q.v.).
Late La Tene scabbard.
A. Gregory (NAU), 22 May 1984.

29 May 1984. Metal detecting.
Area thoroughly metal detected by members of King's Lynn Metal Detector Club and [1], under supervision of A. Gregory (NAU). No finds.
A. Gregory (NAU), 30 May 1984.

September 2005.
The scabbard was found at NHER 20427 in spoil from irrigation pond NHER 20427. There is only one scabbard but two NHER numbers.
M. Dennis (NLA), 8th Septemebr 2005.

Monument Types

  • FINDSPOT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)

Associated Finds

  • SCABBARD (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Slide: Various. Slide.

Related records - none

Find out more...

Norfolk County Council logo Heritage Lottery Fund logo

Powered by HBSMR-web and the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd, and mojoPortal CMS
© 2007 - 2024 Norfolk Historic Environment Service