Mould for casting spear butts

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This clay mould for casting a spear butt was found at the native hillfort site of Traprain Law in East Lothian. It was used sometime between 100 and 400 AD.

The mould is fragmentary, but enough survives to show that the object produced would have been a globular spear butt.

The large, defended hillfort at Traprain Law was an important site in Iron Age Scotland. Excavations have uncovered extensive evidence of metalworking on the site. Craftsmen produced a range of functional and decorative items.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-090-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GVM 561 C
• Date: Between 100 and 400 AD
  
• Material: Clay, baked; half; for globular butt of bronze for a spear shaft, with a projecting check on either side; imperfect
  Clay; for casting globular object; probably for butt of spear shaft
  Clay; for casting globular object; probably for butt of spear shaft
  Mould / fragment
  Mould / fragment
  Mould / portion
  
• Dimensions: Bulb 1.50" approx max D; socket 1.25" x 0.69" D at mouth
  
• What: Mould / fragment
  Mould / fragment
  Mould / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Half of a mould of baked clay for a globular butt of bronze for a spear shaft, from Traprain Law
  Fragment of a mould of clay for casting a globular object, probably for the butt of a spear shaft, from Traprain Law
  Fragment of a mould of clay for casting a globular object, probably for the butt of a spear shaft, from Traprain Law
  
• References:
  • Burley, Elizabeth. Metal-work from Traprain Law. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 89 (1955-1956), 118-226, no. 561. 
• Translations:
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