Record ID: MAS-100009
Object type: SHOT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Published
This is an assemblage of six round cast iron and stone projectiles of varying sizes. Due to the ubiquitous nature of their design, it is difficult to accurately date cannonballs with any certainty. This issue is compounded by the wide variation in designs and calibres of the cannons that fired them and the lifespan of the weapon, with obsolete designs often still in use on merchant ships long after they had fallen out of service with the various navies of Northern Europe, who also used captured weapons on their vessels. Cast iron cannonballs are thought to have appeared at some point d…
Created on: Wednesday 28th September 2016
Last updated: Thursday 13th April 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-1F5444
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
Twenty-six long drawn beads with a single cylindrical central perforation extending along the length of the bead. Varying in size, the beads measure approximately 25 mm in length and 8 mm in diameter, and some signs of wear are visible. The beads all have an opaque white core, cased in opaque red, cased in opaque white and finally cased in translucent blue on the exterior. The inner layers form a star pattern. The diameter cross-section is roughly cylindrical in the centre, whilst at the upper and lower ends the cross-section changes to become faceted in an octagonal shape, allowing th…
Created on: Wednesday 3rd August 2016
Last updated: Friday 30th September 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-O100053
Object type: BOTTLE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
One gin bottle measuring 11 inches high by 3 1/2 inches wide. This square, mould-blown 'case bottle', has the typical tapering profile. The square shape enabled the bottles to be packed more efficiently in a case than round bottles, and the tapering profile stops them from sticking when removed from the case. They were used for gin (although undoubtedly also sometimes for other spirits or wine). Square case bottles were made in Europe from the middle of the 17th century, but the tapering form seems to have become more common in the 19th century. From the 1880s the bottles were machine …
Created on: Monday 29th May 2017
Last updated: Monday 19th March 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-F100110
Object type: POST
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: East Sussex
Workflow stage: Published
Heavily eroded and abraded timber fragment with marine borer and growth present. As it is so worn, it is difficult to tell what type of wood it is and whether this fragment was originally completely shaped and worked, or just partially worked to achieve its function. The timber does not exhibit any evidence or staining from fastenings, however, there is one hole that could have been a fastening point at some stage. It is thought that this fragment may be a broken post or groyne timber that has come from a beach rather than material relating to a wreck. Groynes are wooden barriers bui…
Created on: Wednesday 23rd August 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 8th May 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-F100107
Object type: TRANSPORT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: East Sussex
Workflow stage: Published
This ship's timber is 830 mm long, 110 x 120 mm in profile, with truncated 25 mm diameter treenails; and a 385 x 65 mm slot for the supporting metal work from which the visible corrosion products suggest that they were of iron construction. The images were forwarded to ship expert and author Richard Endsor. The timber appears to be the beam end from a small ship, with evidence of knees on both sides. The small piece of plank let into it crossways may be the remains of a waterway at the side making this face the upper side of the beam. The treenails probably secured the plank. The notc…
Created on: Wednesday 23rd August 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 23rd May 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-100004
Object type: CLAY PIPE (SMOKING)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
All three white pipes here are complete, and are of the short or 'cutty' form. Two carry relief moulded decoration featuring Masonic emblems (incorporating the crossed compass and square), while the third is in the form of a male head, wearing a thin-brimmed cap, possibly a military figure. Pipes with Masonic emblems were made from the mid-18th century in the UK, but remained popular into the early 20th century, while the male head falls into a group of more elaborate decorative pipes with bowls moulded in the form of human heads and animals, common in the late 19th and early 20th cent…
Created on: Thursday 28th July 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 29th January 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-O100028
Object type: BOTTLE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Isle of Wight
Workflow stage: Published
A bottle made from dark green/black glass, bearing a protruding cork. It has a slightly concave body, flaring moderately at the base, leading to gently rounded shoulders with clear definition where they intersect with the neck. The neck itself is broadly straight, tapering slightly where it meets the finish. The finish is of either a double oil or brandy type. The bottle is reminiscent of a spirit bottle of the squat cylinder style, though vessels of this style were used to contain a variety of products beyond beers, wines and spirits. Bottles of this type were manufactured from at lea…
Created on: Saturday 25th February 2017
Last updated: Friday 21st February 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100045
Object type: BOTTLE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
Base of a broken glass onion bottle found loose on the seabed with quite a lot of marine growth present, including over the broken edges. Found on Marl Beds - not long after passing over an area of numerous fairly amorphous concretions apparently loose on the coarse sandy seabed.
Created on: Tuesday 30th May 2017
Last updated: Friday 28th February 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100197
Object type: BOTTLE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
Six glass gin bottles. 'Case gin' or 'taper gin' bottles have a square cross section that means that packing became more effective than with round bottles. The bodies taper wider towards a sharp shoulder, short neck and a champagne finish. The bottles are olive green in colour, and are in a fair condition despite encrusting towards the neck. This shape and style of bottle originated in and was commonly made in Europe at least as early as the mid-17th century. These examples do not exhibit the bevelled corners generally seen on bottles of the 1860s or later and may therefore be earlier …
Created on: Wednesday 4th July 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100207
Object type: BOTTLE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
Long necked glass bottle in clear or aqua marine glass. Overall height of 210 mm from base to finish, the height of body from base to shoulder being 120 mm. The finish being of the applied style, bearing a ring of glass approximately 15 mm wide over a further ring extending a further 5-10 mm down the neck. The base of the vessels exhibits a slightly concave punt <10 mm deep. In profile the body appears to be of a flattened hexagon shape, approximately 70 mm wide. the largest pane of the hexagonal shape being 45 mm across. The contraction from body to neck is severe, narrowing to 30 …
Created on: Wednesday 29th August 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100205
Object type: TOBACCO PIPE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
Complete example of a clay tobacco pipe of the bent billiard style, probably dating to the 19th century. Overall length of 80 mm, with the stem being 50 mm in length. The "short stem" is circular in profile at the heel, changing to a hexaganol profile 20 mm from the mouth piece, which bears beading around the aperture. The left hand side of the stem, from the users perspective, bears a cartouche comprising an embossed diamond lozenge in turn enclosing an incised inscription of SQUATTERS OWN. The opposite side of the stem bears an identical lozenge enclosing the incised word SYDNEY. The…
Created on: Wednesday 29th August 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100190
Object type: CONTAINERS
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: East Sussex
Workflow stage: Published
This find is a figurine measuring 145 mm in length with a diameter of 65mm. It depicts a man wearing a three cornered hat with holes in its top. In consultation with Wessex Archaeology finds specialist, Lorraine Mepham, this item has been identified as a 19th century Toby jug pepper pot figure, probably dating to around 1840 - 1860. For some unknown reason the figurine has lost most of its colour, as it's more usual to see these figures with different coloured clothing to go with the blue jacket. Research has found that these are commonly known as "Staffordshire" Toby pepper pots and t…
Created on: Thursday 21st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100181
Object type: TIMBER
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
Find consists of two sections of timber or wood. The first measures approximately 1650 mm in length, 85 mm in width and 90 mm in depth. There are no diagnostic elements visible upon the timber, such as tool marks or fixing points, and therefore its function remains unknown. It does, however, appear to be faced and is therefore unlikely to be a piece of natural driftwood. The second piece of wood measures approximately 196 mm in length and 20 mm in width. There is at least one possible nail hole visible and again it appears to have been faced or worked by human hands. It is heavily deg…
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100180
Object type: CANNON
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
This item appears to be a small calibre black powder weapon, such as a swivel gun, commonly mounted on vessels throughout the age of sail as well as being used in terrestrial settings. The weapon is approximately 750 mm in overall length, with external muzzle diameter of approximately 110 mm flaring to an external diameter of 180 mm at the breech end. The condition of the artefact is poor due to heave concretion, though visual analysis suggests it is a muzzle loading gun. No Trunnions for mounting the weapon are immediately apparent despite the concretion. As their name suggests, swiv…
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100178
Object type: TOOTHBRUSH
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
This find consists of a brush handle and head manufactured from either bone, horn or ivory, with the bristles missing. The item is approximately 160 mm in overall length, with the head being c. 60 mm, a neck of c. 20 mm and a handle of 80 mm. The head of the brush is c. 15 mm wide, the neck c. 8mm and the handle c.10 mm. There is a small hole in the end of the handle, presumably for accomodating a lanyard or for hanging the brush from. In the head there are 32 holes for accomodating the bristles, with channels recessed and filled on the rear face where the bristles would have been secu…
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100177
Object type: TIMBER
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
Section of highly degraded timber measuring approximately 216 mm in length by 31 mm at its widest point. The ends taper to a point, in a regular fashion that seems a deliberate aspect of the timber rather than part of the process of degredation. At least five nail or bolt holes are apparent in the face of the timber, further differentiating the piece from a section of unworked natural wood. The function of the timber is unidentifiable from the data available. As it has been recovered from a wreck it is likely to relate to the vessel itself and can tentatively be interpreted as a ships …
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-O100179
Object type: ORDNANCE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
This find consists of 12 lead balls varying in diameter between c. 15 mm and 21mm. All appear unfired and bear the mould lines and sprue marks from being hand moulded in a 2 part mould. The balls themselves are in fair condition, though some bear concretion/encrustation. Images of the finds were sent to Charles Trollop, an expert in historical ordnance, who advised that in all likelihood these are English Standard Musket (0.775 " or 19.79 mm) and Carbine (0.615 " or 15.64 mm) Balls. These standards relate to most of the black powder/smooth bore period from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100184
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: 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.
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-O100169
Object type: KNIFE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Isle of Wight
Workflow stage: Published
Double edged blade covered with concretions, around 25 mm wide and 280 mm long. Displays iron oxidation, and the item has not been preserved well. The blade is roughly 200 mm long and the thicker handle is approximately 80 mm long. Following consultation with Henry Yallop of The Royal Armouries museum, this object can only be discribed as roughly the shape of a common blade form , i.e. roughly lenticular, and about 25 mm broad. What is not clear is whether it was once the complete blade, or that this is part of one, or alternatively that it was the part of another forged object, and o…
Created on: Saturday 20th January 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: MAS-D100183
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
Find comprises of a single length of copper or copper alloy wire, measuring approximately 140 mm long and 10 mm in thickness. The wire consists of a central core of copper alloy strands, which are then wrapped or sheathed in a strand of copper alloy tightly wound around the core. The wire appears to taper towards one end, though it is not clear if this part of its manufacture or damage occurring to it during its use or post deposition on the seabed. The function of this item, clearly incomplete as evidenced by its severed ends, is unclear. Its finding was recorded as being in close pro…
Created on: Friday 1st June 2018
Last updated: Friday 27th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.