03-12-2009, 07:32 PM
Good evening,
Frankly the drawings aren't great. I would discount them and go for the actual artefact. I'm pleased you agree the socket lies above the lead weight.
As for the lead having slipped down the shaft on impact, well there is of course no evidence that it was ever thrown. The dart is in excellent condition, and the lead is still tight on the shaft. Your presumed "slippage" on the dart from Caerwent is more likely due to the corosion of the iron shaft allowing the lead to move freely along it.
Reproduction darts are used regularly, and I've never yet seen the lead weight come away from the iron shaft and slip downwards towards the point. Perhaps this happens with commercially made plumbata :lol:
The lead weight discovered recently in the vineyard was picked up not by Roger White, but by another. It may be possible to send photos of, but PM your address. But please be patient with me, I'm busy to the point of giving up sleep.
Frankly the drawings aren't great. I would discount them and go for the actual artefact. I'm pleased you agree the socket lies above the lead weight.
As for the lead having slipped down the shaft on impact, well there is of course no evidence that it was ever thrown. The dart is in excellent condition, and the lead is still tight on the shaft. Your presumed "slippage" on the dart from Caerwent is more likely due to the corosion of the iron shaft allowing the lead to move freely along it.
Reproduction darts are used regularly, and I've never yet seen the lead weight come away from the iron shaft and slip downwards towards the point. Perhaps this happens with commercially made plumbata :lol:
The lead weight discovered recently in the vineyard was picked up not by Roger White, but by another. It may be possible to send photos of, but PM your address. But please be patient with me, I'm busy to the point of giving up sleep.
John Conyard
York
A member of Comitatus Late Roman
Reconstruction Group
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.comitatus.net">http://www.comitatus.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.historicalinterpretations.net">http://www.historicalinterpretations.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com">http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com
York
A member of Comitatus Late Roman
Reconstruction Group
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.comitatus.net">http://www.comitatus.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.historicalinterpretations.net">http://www.historicalinterpretations.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com">http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com