handle; tankard

Description
Intact Iron Age tankard handle of first/second century AD date, with geometric decoration. Remains of adhering organic material, probably leather, indicates that it was placed in something when buried. The findspot near Airth suggests a deliberate offering.
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Object detail

Department
Object/Archaeology
Measurement details
Dimensions:0 - Whole:L 7.9cm (L 3 1/8")
Dimensions:terminal:W 2.5cm (W 1")
Documentation
Discovery and Excavation in Scotland; Council for Scottish Archaeology; York Buildings 1 Queen St Edinburgh
Documentation notes
"NS 90 87 A decorated intact iron Age tankard handle of 1st/2nd century AD was found by metal detecting near Airth. The arched pointed oval handle has decorated circular terminals with perforated attachment tangs on the underside. The handle has an asymmetrical lentoid section, thickened on the underside. The front edges are decorated with slightly raised margins paralleled by a line of cast-in beading.
One terminal has an area of mineralised organic remains over the outer surface, probably leather. It is also present , more patchily, on the other terminal and wrapped round one end of the handle, but not on the underside of the attachment discs. Its presence on the discs makes it unlikely to be a protective wrapping for the handle while in use. The lack of rivets or traces of the organic vessel suggest the handle had been removed; the strip of leather may have bound it to something else. The findspot, near a damp location, suggests it may have been a deliberate offering."
[Fraser Hunter - National Museums Scotland]
Accession number
2015-002-001

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