File:Early Medieval strap-end (FindID 444674).jpg

The strap-end is complete and has little damage. At the top is the split attachment, which is inverted sub-trapezoidal in plan, having a scalloped top edge, below which are two circular-headed rivets. The upper surface of this attachment is decorated with a single groove, which extends around its perimeter, passing between the two rivets, at which point the lines cross. The body is short, parallel-sided and, apart from two transverse grooves at the top, is undecorated. The zoomorphic terminal is well moulded. The two sub-oval ears are located at the top, each having a crescentic depression at its centre; the brow bears an incised double chevron; below this the sides are concave, the width narrowing into the snout, a grooved lobe on each corner representing the nostrils. The black surfaces of the artefact are probably a corroded layer of silvering. The object measures 36.8mm long, up to 10.8mm wide (attachment end) and 5mm thick. The weight is 6.08g.

This is an example of a Thomas Class B, Type 1 strap-end. According to Thomas, this form of strap-end is widely distributed in southern and south-eastern England. Examples have been found in stratified contexts in Canterbury and Winchester. The earliest examples appear to date from the late 8th/early 9th century and the type remained popular into the 11th century (Thomas 2003: 4).