A copper alloy ingot from Little Chester, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery
A copper alloy ingot from Little Chester, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

A copper alloy ingot from Little Chester, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery A copper alloy ingot from Little Chester, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery A copper alloy ingot from Little Chester, Derbyshire. (c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Copper Alloy Ingot (1986/975-AE29)

A copper alloy ingot from Little Chester, Derbyshire

This copper alloy ingot was found at the Little Chester Roman fort site near the Roman defences of Derby. This item, alongside others found in the ditches and structures close to the Roman defences, suggests a high level of activity in the area and a significant early medieval presence at this stronghold. Being found in proximity to a stone mould, it is likely that this ingot was used for metalworking, probably of jewellery.  Similar ingots are known from Viking period contexts in northern Europe, as at Birka and Lund.

Object Type

Bullion

Date

circa 700 — 1100

Style

Ascribed Culture

Original/Reproduction

Original

Material

Collection

Viking Objects

Current Location

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Keywords

bullion, copper_alloy, Derby, Derby_Museums, Derbyshire, Industry, ingot, jewellery, metal_working

Further information

You can see the original at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

This object is related to Derby, Derbyshire.
Find out about Derby, Derbyshire.

Acknowledgements

(c) Derby Museum and Art Gallery

References

Sparey-Green, Christopher, et al., ‘Excavations on the south eastern defences and extramural settlement of Little Chester, Derby, 1971-2,’Derbyshire Archaeological Journal 122 (2002) 1-326, at pp. 150, 257.

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