03-12-2009, 08:26 PM
Quote: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.I have better pictures, but this drawing was the only one of the (almost) complete Wroxeter family. :wink:
Yes, looking at other b&w images of Wroxeter I convinces me more and more that you are right - especially since the lower diameter of the weight is roughly the same as that of the socket. But I'd still like to see the a better image of the original, since frankly it would mean that Wroxeter I is different from the mass of plumbatae found in these parts so far.
Quote: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.Indeed we can't tell if it was thrown or not, but plumbatae would hardly crumple on impact so it might well be. Of course you could be correct about the Caerwent plumbata, but it seems far less likely to me - corrosion would lead sooner to the shafte breaking off than to the weight slipping over the (presumably) barbed head. Whereas it could happen on impact I presume. I never had that happen to one of my 'commercial' plumbatae or my own.
Quote: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.I never presumed that Roger found it, and indeed he mentioned that it was a private find (but not much more, alas).
I'll send you the email address again.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)