Rebecca Griffiths

This Iron Age strap fitting, or toggle has bright red enamel set within intricate triskele-swirled motifs. These objects are becoming increasingly common finds with greater variations in style & decoration apparent through recording with PAS. FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This gold halfpound of Elizabeth I dates to AD 1594-96. A small cross is scratched into the surface of the coin, behind the bust. The reason for this intentional treatment is not fully understood but was perhaps related to religious tensions of the time. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

These partifacts can cause confusion & be mistaken for dress hooks. They're pins from distinctive, decorative buckles known as ‘disc-on-pin’. The pointed end was functional, but the disc would be hidden behind the strap, unless held back on themselves. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This medieval harness pendant is decorated with a lion standing, forepaws raised, hind legs apart, & forked tail. They date to 12th-14th century. Many have common motifs like lions, crowns, & fleur-de-lis. Some featured mythical creatures. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This lovely Roman bow & fantail brooch dates from the late 1st - early 2nd century. It's decorated with colourful enamel & the metal, now green, would originally have been shiny & brassy, almost gold in colour. These are a derivative of the Trumpet Brooch. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman nummus of Constantine I was issued in AD 320. The reverse depicts two captives seated under trophy and proclaims "courage of the army" #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a copper-alloy apron fitting. Images on gravestones show the apron was worn by legionary and auxiliary foot soldiers. It formed part of the equipment of Roman soldiers from the mid-1st century BC, falling out of favour in the early 2nd century AD. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman denarius of Septimius Severus shows the emperor in military attire on horseback. It proclaims 'the most auspicious return of the emperor' after having established peace in the east by the destruction of Pescennius Niger. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver panel from a medieval reliquary pendant depicts the ‘Agnus Dei’ (Lamb of God). It is currently on display @yorkshiremueum as part of the Medieval Ritual Landscape Project #FindsFriday #MeRit #MedievalRitual #Religion finds.org.uk/database/art...

This Roman silver denarius of Nerva bears the imagery of clasped hands holding a legionary eagle with an inscription which translates to "Unity of the Army". This refers to the harmony and cooperation within the military during Nerva's reign. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Three ribbed Yorkshire type axes, like this one, are a well-known part of the Ewart Park metalwork assemblage of the British Late Bronze Age, c.1000 - 800 BC. In Yorkshire, many have been found as single finds as well as in hoards. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

#OTD 13 years ago, myself and @YMT_Adam excavated the Bedale Hoard following its initial discovery by two metal detectorists. The hoard was reported as #Treasure and acquired by the Yorkshire Museum. finds.org.uk/database/art...

This stunning Neolithic knapped, ground, polished stone axehead was found in a river in Yorkshire. It's likely made of Langdale tuff. Langdale axes have been found throughout England & are evidence for exchange of materials in the Neolithic. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This medieval key is made from a sheet of metal, cut & rolled to form its shape. A high proportion of sheet keys were found at Meols on the Wirral coast where they were thought to be local replacement for lost or broken cast examples.#FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

MeRit: Medieval Ritual Landscape A showcase of recent work by the MeRit Project, local metal detectorists, and digital animation students from the York St John University.

Join us at the Yorkshire Museum, York for a showcase of recent work by the Medieval Ritual Landscape Project, local metal detectorists, & digital animation students from York St John University? Book your tickets for this FREE event on Friday 13th June here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/merit-medi...

This is an almost complete Roman bow & fantail brooch. These are particularly frequent in the East Midlands, especially Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire. Their triangular foot includes a variety of decorative motifs, including colourful enamel. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Mercury is a common Roman deity found as a figurine in Britain. Though widespread, they are concentrated across southern England. God of merchants & travellers, & messenger of the gods, Mercury is shown with winged boots, money bag & caduceus. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

Construction of St. Peter's Basilica began #OTD in AD 1506. St Peter, chief among Jesus's apostles and also the first Bishop of Rome (Pope), is commonly depicted, along with St Paul, on papal bulla issued by the papacy in the medieval period. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This silver Early-Medieval Northumbrian penny was issued jointly under King Æthelwald Moll and Archbishop Ecgberht of York. It was issued between AD 759 – 765 and was likely minted in York. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This radiate of Allectus dates to AD 293-6. The obverse legend is probably a variant, but the overall style of the coin suggests it might be irregular. This coin is included in Sam Moorhead's new corpus for RIC which is out now. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

The Melsonby Hoard is one of the UK's most significant Iron Age finds & could rewrite what we know about the period. Help the Yorkshire Museum acquire & conserve the hoard, keeping it in a public collection. #FindsFriday #SaveTheMelsonbyHoard Donate today: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-m...

The Melsonby Hoard was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2021 & subsequently declared Treasure. The Yorkshire Museum aim to raise £500,000 to acquire & conserve the hoard, keeping it in a public collection. Help keep the hoard in Yorkshire & donate today at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-the-m...

This is a silver medieval penny of Edward I dating AD 1307–1309. I've recorded hundreds of similar coins but they can be challenging as the style was used across multiple kings with little variation. Tiny details can help distinguish one type from another. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is a silver Post-Medieval groat of Philip and Mary from AD 1554-1558, often mistaken for Queen Elizabeth's coins. Differences in bust style, lettering, and legends help differentiate them, provided they aren't too worn of course. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...

This is an Early-Medieval inset lead weight dating to the 9th-11th centuries. They are an insular Viking phenomenon believed used to weigh precious metals for trading. #FindsFriday #Viking #Inset

This is a papal bulla of Pope Boniface VIII dating to 1294-1303. How these seals got into the ground is uncertain but may be due to accidental loss of personal amulets, deliberate burial, or deliberate destruction at the Reformation. #FindsFriday https://buff.ly/41osMR3

This Roman cosmetic mortar is an example of an insular object with its origin in the pre-Roman Iron Age. Most appear to date from the late Iron Age to early Roman periods, circa 100 BC - 300 AD, with the heyday of their use in AD 50 - 200. #FindsFriday https://buff.ly/4hs3dnq

This is a wonderful example of a Roman dragonesque brooch. These brooches are found in quantity in Yorkshire & it's probable they were made here. More variations of the type with stunning decoration are being recovered through metal detecting & recording. #FindsFriday https://buff.ly/40T1SAb

This brooch in the form of a bird is likely of Early-Medieval date, c. late 9th to 10th century. It can be compared with a series of bird brooches which have feet standing on a 'perch' and are described as a Scandinavian type bird brooch. #FindsFriday https://buff.ly/3Eglmpv

We are back in full swing recording mode & off to a strong start. This copper alloy radiate of Carausius dating to c. AD 287 is only the third recorded specimen of its type. The others are in the British Museum & a Private Collection. #FindsFriday #Roman #Carausius #Rare https://buff.ly/40mqdgm