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The Gloucester Hoard of Roman Bronze

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2020

Penny Coombe  and
Martin Henig
Penny Coombe
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology, University of Oxfordpenny.coombe@wolfson.ox.ac.uk
Martin Henig
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology, University of Oxfordmartin.henig@wolfson.ox.ac.uk
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Abstract

A cache of Roman copper-alloy fragments was discovered, apparently carefully layered in a pit, in a field in Gloucestershire by metal-detectorists in 2017. The assemblage comprises over 5 kg of metal pieces, predominantly box fittings, but also smaller items of personal use such as a fourth-century belt buckle, a three-strand bracelet, a spoon and a coin (a nummus of Crispus). Most remarkable are the sculptural fragments, including several pieces of life-size statuary and the complete statuette of a dog with fine incised decoration, and part of an incised bronze inscription panel. This article considers the original form of the statuary and the use and deposition of the cache. It is proposed that these fragments represent the remains of the accoutrements of a temple or shrine in the local area, perhaps dedicated to Diana Venatrix, and that they were removed and deposited together in the late fourth century. Supplementary material is available online (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0068113X20000501) and comprises additional figures.

Keywords

GloucestershirehoardRomanbronzesculpturedog statuetteDianatemple finds
Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 51 , November 2020 , pp. 225 - 264
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors, 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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Footnotes

With contributions by KURT ADAMS, BRIAN GILMOUR and JOHN PEARCE

Department of Classics, King's College London john.pearce@kcl.ac.uk

Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford brian.gilmour@arch.ox.ac.uk

Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery kurt.adams@bristol.gov.uk

References

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