File:Iron Age-Roman brooch (FindID 143573).jpg

English: A fragment of a late Iron Age to Roman, iron bow brooch (circa 25-100 AD). The bow has a circular cross-section and the head, pin, spring and catchplate are all missing. This may be a fragment of a late Iron Age one-piece' 'Nauheim derivative' brooch. Other Nauheim-derivative brooches have been found during the military occupation at sites such as Usk and Castleford (Manning 1995:64-66 fig 22 & Cool & Philo 1998:34-5). Manning (1995:64) notes "that an example made of iron is remarkable in this context since Hull noted the limitation of the iron type to the native oppida (Cunliffe 1968:76; Clifford 1961:167 nos1-4 fig29). It should perhaps be seen as a spoil of war". Dimensions: length 28.86mm; weight 2.03g Reference: Manning, W. H. 1995. Report on the Excavations at Usk 1965-1976. The Roman Small Finds. University of Wales Press, Cardiff. Cool, H. E. M. and Philo, C. 1998. Roman Castleford Excavations 1974-85 Volume I The Small Finds. West Yorkshire Archaeology Service, Wakefield. The fragment could also be the bow of an early Roman brooch. Iron springs and pins are common but iron brooches are rare. However this may also have much to do with their poor survival in the majority of buried contexts and the fact that most metal detectors are used in a setting that reject ferrous material.