File:A post medieval bone ring probably dating to the 17th century. (FindID 587235).jpg

English: A post medieval bone ring probably dating to the 17th century. This bone is a cut ring from the femur of a sheep. There are linear cut marks on the surface created by a knife as part of the butchering process. Both ends of the bone have been sawn, again as part of the butchering process. Alan Pipe said that a knife would be used to separate the muscle from the bone and to mark the bone ahead of sawing. This size and shape of bone is very distinctive and it is from a cut of meat known as a gigot which is a thin flat cutlet with this disc of bone within it. This butchering technique was first used in the post medieval period. The letters A E have been carved into the outer surface. The lettering has serifs and is very similar to lettering on 17th century tokens for examples see Egan 2005:176. There is also a pattern carved into the surface approximately one third around the circumference form the lettering. The pattern comprises four dots, one slightly larger central dot and four smaller dots arranged at the cardinal points. Alan Pipe identified that the letters had been marked out before the carving of the letters was done, it is possible that the dot pattern is a marking out of a pattern that was not completed or it may be the complete pattern. There is some abrasion around the edges of the bone.

Dimensions: thickness: 9.45mm; diameter: 24.94mm; weight: 4.24g.

Identification by Alan Pipe, faunal remains specialist, Museum of London, Specialist Services.

Reference: Egan, G. 2005. Material Culture in London in an Age of Transition. MoLAS Monograph 19. English Heritage: London.