File:Iron Age, Pin (FindID 416162).jpg

A cast copper alloy 'swan neck' or ring-headed pin dated to the earlier Iron Age, probably Halsdadt C phase (700-400 AD). The pin is formed from a tapering length of decorated wire. The shaft of the pin is circular in section whilst the head is more D shaped (faceted elipse). The upper part of the pin is bent to form a ring-head which is evenly styled and symmetrical. The upper part of the shaft is bent to form a U shape / the swan neck. The lower shank tapers to an irregular point which may not be the original point. The ring / head has been heavily decorated with a simple design consisting simple ribbing. These ribs seem to be cast and consist of traverse groves which extend around three quarters of the outer of the wire. The internal edge is smooth and finished. The ribs are relatively evenly spaced being placed close together. The ribbing only extends to approximately ¾ of the ring - the lower part, near the junction with the shank is plain and undecorated.

The pin is a mid yellow colour, with deep levels of corrosion present. The colour and corrosion both support the suggestion that the artefact was originally deposited within a riverine / waterlogged context.

There are few published examples of swan necked and ring headed pins originating in Britian. Recent work by Katherine Becker (Iron Age Ring-Headed Pins in Ireland and Britain and on the Continent in Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt Jahrgang 38 • 2008 • Heft 4) has helped contextualise their function and distribution. This Shropshire example is similar to that illustrated by Becker from Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. She classifies and describes these pins as being "In their basic form, they have an S-curved shoulder that develops into a ring-shaped head. While simple forms of pins with ring heads are found throughout Europe in earlier and later periods alike, the S-curved shoulder is the distinguishing characteristic of the insular Iron Age ring-headed pin, which remained in use throughout the Iron Age (ibid 513).

A significant number (compared to the published record) of similar early Iron Age pins have been recorded on the PAS database. The closest parallel is LANCUM-5ECCE3 from North Yorkshire. However, the following pins bare a resemblance to this Shropshire example: NMS-038344 Norfolk, NLM-6379E7 North Lincs, NLM-520A57 Lincs, North Yorks LANCUM-49BB41, and BERK-046805 Berkshire; as well as a fragment ESS-60CE23 from Essex.

The pin measures 106.6mm length, the upper shank is 3.2mm diameter and the ring head 3.2mm wide and 4.0mm thick. The external diameter of the head is 27.1mm and the internal diameter is 19.7mm. The pin weighs 10.31 grams.