NHER 21452 (Find Spot record) - Possible 4th century lead font, Roman coins

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Summary

A Roman lead tank interpreted as a possible 4th-century font or an Early Roman cremation container was found in winter 1984-1985 along with a small number of Roman coins.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TL79NW
Civil Parish OXBOROUGH, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

Winter 1984 to 1985. Casual Find.
Found in load of scrap metal bought from a gypsy who said he had had it from a farmer 'over behind Oxburgh' and who had found it in the river. [1].
Battered circular lead tank, see detailed description in secondary file (S1). Possibly a 4th century lead font. Possibly early Roman cremation container.
See detailed description (S1) as well as photograph (S2) and sketch of decoration (S3).
First published in short note (S4).
See also correspondence ((S5) and (S6)) and published article (S7).
See earlier article for an interpretation of similar objects (S8).
A. Gregory (NAU), 31 May 1985. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 09 May 2022.

Update.
Grid ref supplied by informant who said farmer found it beside a dyke when ploughing, not in the river. Informant B identified object by drawing. [2]. Informant states that he found one 1st century, one 3rd century and one 4th century coin at this spot.
This object has now been published (S7).
E. Rose (NAU), 20 February 1990.

1988. Casual observation.
Late Saxon and medival pottery was recovered from a field in this vicinity.
These are now recorded under NHER 51796.
W. Milligan (NCM), 31 January 1990. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 09 May 2022.

2012. Documentary Research.
See published journal article (S9) for a detailed discussion of known finds of Roman lead tanks and possible interpretations of their function. It is notable that this is the only example listed within Norfolk.
Mapped extent of this record was expanded from a point to a polygon [3].
H. Hamilton (HES), 28 April 2022.

  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Unpublished Report: Gregory, T. 1985. Oxborough Lead font. Finds Report.
  • <S2> Photograph: Wicks, D. 1985. Historic Environment Service Photography. Film CSM. Roman Lead Tank or Font, Oxborough. HES Negatives. film. black and white. CSM/1-38.
  • <S3> Drawing: [Unknown]. [unknown]. Sketch of incised decoration on a Roman lead tank from Oxborough. Paper.
  • <S4> Article in Serial: Frere, S.S., Hassall, M.W.C. & Tomlin, R.S.O.. 1986. Roman Britain in 1985.. Britannia. Vol XVII, pp 363-454. p 403; Pl XXIX A.
  • <S5> Correspondence: Johns, C. 1985. Letter from C. Johns to T. Gregory regarding a Roman lead tank found at Oxborough.. 08 July 1985.
  • <S6> Correspondence: Guy, C.J. 1986. Letter from C. Guy to T. Gregory regarding a Roman lead tank found at Oxborough. Includes draft report and distribution map.. 13 March 1986.
  • <S7> Article in Serial: Guy, C. 1989. The Oxburgh Lead Tank.. Britannia. Vol XX, pp 234-237, pl VXIIA.
  • <S8> Article in Serial: Guy, C. J. 1981. Roman Circular Lead Tanks in Britain. Britannia. Vol XII, pp 271-276.
  • <S9> Article in Serial: Crerar, B. 2012. Contextualising Romano-British Lead Tanks: A Study in Design, Destruction and Deposition. Britannia. Vol 43, pp 2135-166.
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 300 AD to 409 AD)
  • CINERARY VESSEL (Roman - 300 AD to 409 AD)
  • FONT (Roman - 300 AD to 409 AD)
  • TANK (Roman - 300 AD to 409 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Feb 7 2024 11:47AM

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