1. Disc-headed stud with circular-sectioned shank. The shank, which seems to have had its end cut off, has been bent at an angle to the head and curves over until it is nearly parallel with it. Cf. South Shields (Allason-Jones and Miket 1984, 3.977).
Head D: 20mm; Head Th: 1mm; Shank D: 2mm; Shank L: 24mm. Context 88 SF37 (Phase 3).
2. Ring with a semi-elliptical section and a flat back which shows possible signs of wear around one side.
D: 45mm; Int D: 33mm; Th: 3.5mm. Context 149 SF25. Grid ref. 109.98/ 109.52
3. Strap-mounted terret or rein-guide from cart harness. This consists of a large, oval upper loop of near-circular section, with a dependent, sub-rectangular-sectioned rectangular loop. The object would have been secured to the harness by means of the smaller loop, the rein passing freely through the larger. Cf. a crude example from Colchester (Crummy 1983, No.2543).
W: 43mm; H: 47mm; Int W: 30mm; Int H: 24.5mm; Th: 7mm; Deduced strap W: 18mm; Deduced strap Th: 5mm. Context 143 SF 32. Grid ref. 104.40/104.42
4. Oval-sectioned loop with butt-jointed ends, slightly oval in appearance. Cf. Colchester (Crummy 1983, No.4443).
D: 12 × 10mm; Int D: 7 × 6mm; Th: 3.5mm. Context 155 SF 50 (Phase 2).
5. Colander handle with a central swelling and a flared end. It has evidently broken off near the bowl of the vessel, for the beginning of the swelling to form the rim is detectable. Cf. South Shields (Allason-Jones and Miket 1984, 3.373 with further refs.).
L: 138mm; Max W: 49mm; Th: 3mm. Context 235 SF 21 (Phase 4). Grid ref. 104.90/95.05
6. Fragment of U-sectioned binding, possibly a piece of shield-edging. Cf. Colchester (Crummy 1983, No.4191).
L: 37mm; W: 12mm. Context 352 SF 55. Grid ref. 118.12/101.18
7. Cruciform mount with disc-headed shanks for securing it (presumably) to leather. Two arms have evidently been removed prior to deposition. Rather unusually, the object appears to have had shanks on both faces, those on the ends of the surviving arms on the opposite face to the larger, central shank.
Max L: c.60mm; Max W: 33mm; Th: 3mm; Deduced strap Th (large shank): 5mm. Context 11 SF 9 (Phase 6).
All iron objects were X-rayed by the Conservation Laboratory at the Department of Archaeology, University of Durham. Those which were obviously not nails were selected for further examination and conserved accordingly. Thanks are due to Jennifer Jones for this conservation work.
8. Rectangular-sectioned bar with circular expansion at one end through which a flat-headed, square-sectioned nail or rivet has been passed. In dimensions and form the object bears a close resemblance to an iron reinforcing bar from a shield, although such objects are usually, but not exclusively, semi-circular in section. Cf. Newstead (Buckland 1978, Fig.8); Rheingönheim (Ulbert 1969, Taf.47,1) for rectangular-sectioned parallels.
L: 125mm; W: 13mm; Th: 5mm; W of expansion: 18mm; W of nail head: 14mm; Max L of nail: 15mm; L of nail between head and bar: 7mm. Context 228 (Phase 3). XR2541.
9. Curved, tapering, rectangular-sectioned rod. Both ends appear to be broken.
L: 74mm; MW: 6mm; MTh: 4mm. Context 41. XR2541.
10. Round-sectioned rod with traces of tinning on its surface. Both ends are broken. Part of a ring or piece of wire is still adhering to the surface near one end.
L: 87.5mm; D: 3mm; Th of ring: 1.5mm. Context 41. XR2541.
11. Circular-sectioned rod which is turned abruptly through 90° and flattened at one end with a lozenge-shaped expansion to which is similarly-shaped plate has been riveted, possibly hinged. Fragment of pincers? Cf. Manning 1985, Pls.2-4,A9-16.
L: 94mm; D of rod: 8.5mm; H of expansion: 39mm; W of expansion: 11.5mm; Th of expansion: 3mm; L of rivet: 12mm; L of plate: 25mm; W of plate: 12.5mm; Th of plate: 4mm. Context 41. XR2538.
12. Socketed object with rectangular (near-square) sectioned end (now broken). Possibly a catapult bolt lacking most of its head? Cf. Manning 1985, V141TM250.
L: 65mm; W of head: 12mm; Th of head: 9mm; surviving L of head: 11mm; Socket D: 12.5mm. Unstratified. XR2531.
13. Circular-sectioned rod with rectangular-sectioned expansion at one end which leads to a rectangular-sectioned hook. Part of a lift-key? Cf. Borough Hill (Manning 1985, Pl.39,O14TM16).
L: 91mm; D of rod: 7mm; W of expansion: 15mm; Th of expansion: 5mm; L of expansion: 37mm; W of hook: 6mm; Th of hook: 3mm; W of opening: 11mm. Context 41. XR2538.
14. Two entwined loops, one slightly larger than the other. The smaller is rectangular-sectioned, whilst the larger is near-square in section and appears to have been spirally twisted.
Overall L: 46.5mm; Larger loop L: 41.5mm; Th of rod: 8mm; D of loop: 21.5mm; Smaller L: 32mm; W of rod: 4.5mm; D of loop: 18mm. Context 41. XR2539.
15. Tapering, cruciform-sectioned conical object with a circular socket at its broader end. The remains of a tubular object, into which it evidently fitted, still adhere to the socket. Modern gas or water pipe fitting?
L: 98mm; Max D: 23.5mm; D of socket: 20mm; D of pipe: 25mm. Context 11 (Phase 6). XR2532.
16. (Not illustrated) Irregularly-shaped, but roughly circular sheet, thicker in the centre than at the edges. A small fragment of copper alloy either adheres or is attached near one edge. Possibly part of the blade of an implement?
L: 138mm; W: 135mm; Th at centre: 6mm; Th at edge: 2mm. Context 224. XR2537.
Iron objects (almost exclusively nails) were also recovered from contexts: 10, 38, 41, 46, 64, 70, 73, 76, 101, 112, 115, 133, 136, 143, 168, 201, 202, 220, 224, 229, 231, 235, 246, 246/7, 253, 265, 266, 325.
17. Biconical bead of translucent dark blue glass. Cf. Colchester (Crummy 1983, Nos.656 and 666).
D: 7mm; L: 4mm. Context 222 SF 13. Grid ref. 107.71/95.78
18. (Not illustrated) Circular disc of samian centrally perforated. Perhaps a spindle whorl or gaming counter.
D: 38mm; Wt: 14g. Context 226 SF20. Grid ref. 106.40/98.68
19. (Not illustrated) Circular disc, centrally perforated, cut from samian vessel.
D: 35mm; Wt: 8g. Context 234 (42) SF34. Grid ref. 109.81/102.73
20. (Not illustrated) Fragment of opus signinum flooring with the upper and lower surface apparently preserved.
L: 210mm; W: 98mm; Th: 40mm. Context 246.
21. A fragment of tile which bears an impressed inscription, apparently applied with a die. Two letters are visible before the break and these can be interpreted as NV[. Although Tomlin (1991, 302, n.48) suggested that this might be a reference to a presumed numerus Vinoviensium, by analogy with the NCON stamps from Binchester, supposed to refer to a hypothetical numerus Concangiensium (for which now see Bowman 1991, where distinct differences are noted between the fabrics of tiles from Binchester and Chester-le-Street, making discrete production likely). A simpler explanation is supplied by identifying the unit responsible with the numerus vigilum attested for Concangis in the Notitia Dignitatum (Occ.XL,24). If this identification is correct, then it supplies the first stratified epigraphic attestation of any of the numeri listed for Britain in the Notitia.
Nothing is known of this unit beyond its name. The Notitia (Oc.XXXIII,48) records an auxilia vigilum at Contra Aquincum in the province of Valeria and Hoffmann (1970, 154, n.358) speculates that units such as these, with functional titles, may have their origins in units of the mobile army that performed the duties named. Indeed, the task of guarding the bridgehead at Aquincum would seem to accord quite well with such a notion. However, it is always possible (although not very likely) that our numerus vigilum was formed from a draft from the vigiles of the city of Rome, or even members of similar organizations of watchmen/firemen from provincial (perhaps British) towns.
Max. W: 90mm; Max. H: 56mm; Th: 27mm. Context 338B.
22. (Not illustrated) Fragment from the face of a box-tile, with the surface scored for plastering (of which there is no trace) by means of a four-toothed comb with slightly rounded ends to the teeth. One edge of the tile survives with the stump of a side wall. The combing consists of two vertical strokes and two diagonal. crossing.
Max W: 140mm; Max H: 90mm; Th: 20mm; Th of side wall: 20mm; W of comb: 26mm. Context 41.
23. (Not illustrated) Fragment of roofing tile (tegula) with slight dog`s paw print (possibly impressed when tile was nearly dry?). On the reverse surface, a pronounced furrowing of the surface may have been formed by being allowed to dry on a bed of rushes or twigs, or more likely by crude finishing using the fingers. One original (unflanged) edge appears to survive.
L: 125mm; W: 99mm; Th: 20mm. Unstratified.