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UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Unique ID: MAS-D100184
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A single piece of copper alloy sheeting, measuring approximately 70 mm by 55 mm with a thickness of c. 2 mm. The item bears 4 grooves pressed into the metal along the long axis on one face, only one of which is evident on the opposite face. The item appears to be distorted from its original shape, all the edges appear intact suggesting it is otherwise complete. The function of such an item is unclear, though it was recovered in close proximity to a swivel gun (MAS-D100180) and may relate to the functioning of such a weapon in some way.
Notes:
This find comes from an unidentified wreck known as the Brandy Wreck, situated east of Portland Harbour in Weymouth Bay, Dorset. An investigation of the newly discovered wreck was carried out by Wessex Archaeology (2016) in conjunction with The Shipwreck Project, a local organisation who discovered the site, and at the behest of Historic England. The lack of datable evidence from secure contexts, structural elements of a vessel and other factors meant that a precise date or name of the vessel could not be determined. Broadly, the vessel is thought to date between 1600 and 1825 AD and may relate to a naval or merchant vessel, or potentially be a chance accumulation of artefacts. Vessel currently has no NRHE or HER designation numbers.
This item was found with a swivel gun (MAS-D100180), a timber (MAS-D100177) and a length of copper wire (MAS-D100183).
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: NINETEENTH CENTURY
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 70 mm
Width: 55 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 22nd May 2018
Personal details
Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: P T
Materials and construction
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SY7375
Four figure Latitude: 50.57411317
Four figure longitude: -2.38265074
1:25K map: SY7375
1:10K map: SY75SW
Display four figure position on What3Words
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
- Wessex Archaeology, 2016. Brandy Wreck Weymouth Archaeological Services in Relation to Marine Protection Undesignated Site Assessment. Salisbury : Wessex Archaeology, ,
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