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Saxon object mystery for Canterbury experts
BBC ^ | Wednesday, March 17, 2010 | unattributed

Posted on 03/18/2010 7:14:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Experts have been unable to identify the silver, bronze and wooden disc

A Saxon object which was uncovered in an archaeological dig in Kent cannot be identified by experts.

The circular silver, bronze and wooden disk was found in a Saxon burial ground at The Meads, Sittingbourne, in 2008.

Despite using microscopes, X-rays and reading articles about burial grounds, the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) has been unable to identify it.

CAT believe that the object could be a decorative form of mount as it was discovered next to a sword.

Finds manager of CAT Andrew Richardson said: "We don't currently recognise it, but it may be a decorative mount on something, but we don't know what it's mounted on.

Shopping centre laboratory

"We'll analyse the wood on the back, to see what sort of wood it is and see whether it was attached to an item.

"We've been trawling thought the literature, and we'll look at its relationship to other finds in the grave and see if we can figure out by looking at the corrosion of objects how it relates to other items."

The disc was discovered with about 2,500 other objects at The Meads burial ground.

The items are currently undergoing a cleaning and identification process at a temporary laboratory in the Forum Shopping Centre by a group of experts and volunteers who have been specially trained.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: archaeology; godsgravesglyphs; history
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To: SunkenCiv

It’s a simple grommet to stop a rope from fraying at the end.

Good grief!!

Why does everything have to be decorative? Saxons were practical folks. They made stuff for a purpose.

So little time, so much to do.


21 posted on 03/18/2010 7:37:28 PM PDT by sodpoodle (Despair - Man's surrender. Laughter - God's redemption.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Some guy on a government grant over there in the UK is getting paid probably 45K a year to figure out what it is.


22 posted on 03/18/2010 7:38:22 PM PDT by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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To: QBFimi

We got you this time One-Eye Willie!!!


23 posted on 03/18/2010 7:38:45 PM PDT by Docbarleypop (navy doc)
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To: QBFimi

Love that book! LOL


24 posted on 03/18/2010 7:38:49 PM PDT by kalee (The offences we give, we write in the dust; Those we take, we engrave in marble. J Huett 1658)
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To: SunkenCiv; Salamander; Slings and Arrows; Markos33; humblegunner; Eaker; JoeProBono
Obviously, it's the Continuum Transfunctioner, a mysterious and powerful device whose mystery is only exceeded by its power. If you turn it over immediately, these Hot Chicks will give you pleasure.


25 posted on 03/18/2010 7:41:55 PM PDT by shibumi ("..... then we will fight in the shade." (Cool Star - *))
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To: SunkenCiv

It could be a tool for straightening arrow shafts. You heat the wood over coals and hold it straight as it cools. The tool lets you control exactly where the action occurs.


26 posted on 03/18/2010 7:43:11 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (THE SECOND AMENDMENT, A MATTER OF FACT,NOT A MATTER OF OPINION)
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To: SunkenCiv

I like to think about the people who will uncover the tombstone maker’s place of business in a few thousand years. All those unmarked tombstones, very close together. It will drive them nuts trying to find a race of very small people who were hated enough to be put in unmarked graves, but liked enough to be given fairly nice tombstones.


27 posted on 03/18/2010 7:43:21 PM PDT by jwparkerjr
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To: QBFimi

I have no idea what it is, but I, personally, snigger over Motel of the Mysteries at least once a year. And my dwelling contains several ceremonial collars.


28 posted on 03/18/2010 7:52:15 PM PDT by La Lydia
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To: SunkenCiv

After and before pictures of Mr. Bill following the encounter with the Saxon point man?


29 posted on 03/18/2010 7:56:10 PM PDT by MurrietaMadman (Luke 23:31)
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To: shibumi

Bloody Sassenachs.


30 posted on 03/18/2010 7:57:30 PM PDT by Salamander (....and I'm sure I need some rest but sleepin' don't come very easy in a straight white vest.......)
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To: martin_fierro

Asbestos or Semi-metallic???


31 posted on 03/18/2010 8:10:57 PM PDT by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
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To: SunkenCiv

looks like a petrified bagel - oy vay


32 posted on 03/18/2010 8:36:14 PM PDT by silverleaf ("Congress is America's only native criminal class."- Mark Twain)
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To: SunkenCiv

Shopping Cart Wheel, Dollar Store!


33 posted on 03/18/2010 8:51:03 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously... You'll never live through it.)
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To: SunkenCiv

The object on the right, no doubt, shows the southern hemisphere with South America on the left, Antarctica below it, Africa across from South America,
Europe above Africa, the Arabian Peninsula
right of Africa, and the Dubai Towers just right of the Arabian Peninsula. Deluxe Suites are available at the Dubai Towers, unless you are an Israeli commando.


34 posted on 03/18/2010 9:20:33 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: Salamander

>Bloody Sassenachs.<

Hey, that’s what I’m gonna put on my Census form! Sassenach!

</ evil grin>


35 posted on 03/18/2010 9:52:21 PM PDT by Darnright (There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive. - Tacitus)
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To: SunkenCiv
Disc Identity Solved


36 posted on 03/18/2010 10:47:33 PM PDT by FastCoyote (I am intolerant of the intolerable.)
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To: SunkenCiv

The object appears to be about 2 3/4 inches in diameter (using the thumb in the vinyl glove as point of reference), and my guess is that it was the buckle or fastener of the disintegrated sword belt.


37 posted on 03/18/2010 11:13:34 PM PDT by Birdsbane ("Onward through the fog!" ... Oat Willie)
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To: squarebarb

Great minds...that is EXACTLY what I thought.


38 posted on 03/19/2010 4:29:12 AM PDT by Pharmboy (The Stone Age did not end because they ran out of stones...)
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To: SunkenCiv

What kind of loser archeologists are these guys. EVERYONE knows that any unidentifed object was ALWAYS used in some sort of religious ceremony.

My guess is this was used in a form of sun worship during periods of large sunspots. (medievil warm period maybe?)


39 posted on 03/19/2010 7:06:40 AM PDT by John O (God Save America (Please))
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To: bunkerhill7

Took 23 Saxons to bury this thing in the first place, but they were really Jutes in disguise.


40 posted on 03/19/2010 3:35:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (http://themagicnegro.com/)
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