I saw that the Identification and Evaluation desk of a well-known and popular UK metal detecting magazine was discussing an ‘intriguing’ Roman find, which looked as though it might be an impression from an official coin die of Allectus. Continue Reading…
Archives For Romans
or … INKED-UP SWINGERS
Some of my best friends have them. Would-be prime ministers’ wives have them. Even my doctor sports a couple. So when and how did tattoos become so acceptable? At one time they were only seen on sailors, prisoners or bikers and were often the mark of the rocker or rebel.
I once read a study by a British university that showed a good percentage of people who carried good luck charms felt that their fortunes had definitely improved. A claim that warrants further investigation … especially by detectorists.
Phallic Pendant or Amulet. Click twice on image to make larger 
My mate Dave, much to the disapproval of his wife, wears a Roman phallic pendant around his neck while detecting. He says that it brings him good luck. Judging by his excellent finds over the years, I am inclined to believe him. In August 2011 I wrote a small story about a find that excited detectorist Kevin Hillier. Just click anywhere in the image on the left to make it larger … to read.
Throughout the ages peoples of all faiths have resorted to good luck charms. In the 40’s and 50’s I remember adverts at the back of my parents’ magazines and in newspapers exhorting people to buy a ‘Lucky Cornish Piskie’, Joan the Wad. She was guaranteed to have been, ‘dipped in water from the lucky saints’ well’ and to bring you incredible luck. My father bought one, but it appeared to do little in bringing him good fortune.
I found out that my mother kept a rabbit’s foot; it was disgusting and frightened me. In retrospect, it was lucky for me Ma because my intention when raiding her handbag had been to pinch yet another Woodbine. That act had been foiled!
I suppose good luck charms are a fun way to make you feel luckier, but how do they work, if at all? I’m not a great detectorist and often get despondent about lack of success. Dave says I must be positive about everything in my life, even the bad, because something positive can even come out of that. Good thoughts are hundreds of times more powerful than bad thoughts, and always try to stay happy. So, I’m going to try out that psychology of staying positive, focus on my detecting goals, and work towards them. Mrs John says that my looking happy may take just a little more effort!
THE CROTAL BELL
Scan of Crotal Bell © JW
Many uses are given in detecting books for crotal bells – attached to a chain and hung around the neck of a castrated lamb chosen to be leader of the flock. When worn by the largest ram the shepherd knew when he was ‘at work’. The continual ringing of bells helped to keep the flock together and warned the shepherd when the sheep became disturbed.
The bells were also thought to scare off evil spirits. People also wore the bells as good luck charms. This is what I am going to, at least until such time I find that Roman gold phallic pendant … or perhaps ‘borrow’ my mate Dave’s!
When they were clearing up at the World Trade Center an archaeological team uncovered part of an 18th century ship. They also found a coin, not in the best of condition as you can see opposite, but echoing the ancient tradition where coins are placed under or near the mast of the ship when it is installed. For details of the discovery, click HERE.
Learning never stops. It wasn’t until relatively recently that I heard of such a thing as a LACHRYMATORY – TEAR BOTTLE. Exactly what are they and when did they come into being? The Old Testament of the King James Bible refers to collecting tears in a bottle – in Psalm 56:8 when David prays to God: Thou tellest my wanderings, put thou my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy Book? The reference predates the birth of Christ by over 1000 years!
The Daily Mail has excelled itself in leading yet another media blitz on the baby skeletons found in Hambleton, Buckinghamshire.
Roman prostitutes were forced to kill their own children and bury them in mass graves at English ‘brothel’
Very imaginative and sensational. After this story broke last year I talked with Dr. Eyers and she admitted that she had propagated the ‘brothel’ story just to get attention. Her exact words were,”to sex the story up’. Funding for the continuing excavation must be running low. MailOnline story HERE
Another Attempt at Making a Boring Story More Exciting
This time the sexed-up story comes from Louise Ord, the assistant producer of the television programmer Digging for Britain. The headline on this BBC news story is TOMB FOUND AT STONEHENGE QUARRY SITE. The body of the article uses phrases like could have been unearthed . . . it is thought . . . may be have been associated and archaeologists believe.
A new series of BBC Two’s Digging for Britain begins at 21:00 on Friday, 9 September . . . and that’s the real story! Anyway, Hot blooded males will be tuning in just to see current archaeological darling Dr. Alice Roberts.
A Blogroll
I don’t know what the subject says about me, but I’ve always had a fascination for the way in which innovation in sanitation has helped us to move forward. (smile) Indeed, I once gave a talk to the local Women’s Institute on A Brief History of the English Toilet. I was enthusiastic about my subject, but completely misjudged the audience. Didn’t know how fast to get out of there! However, one of the ladies invited me to visit her garden to see a defunct two-seater midden. I declined or, to evoke an oft-used News of the World phrase, ‘I made my excuses and left’!
