Wirral's Hidden History Revealed
Whetstone
Finds From Wirral – Whetstone Found when field walking near to where Early Medieval finds had previously been recovered this little whetstone has been dated from AD 800-1400. Very similar items have been recovered from Viking York and would have been worn on a strap. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1158343
Arrowhead
Finds From Wirral – Arrowhead This is an iron tanged arrowhead dated AD800-100. The point on the left has lost some of its size due to corrosion. Unlike copper alloy finds iron is very subject to corrosion. This arrowhead has been treated and preserved by experts. We have two more recovered arrowheads that are awaiting to go live on the PAS database….
Buckle
Finds From Wirral – Buckle A tiny buckle recovered has been identified as Early Medieval by the experts at PAS. Dated to AD500-700. Missing its pin you can however see where the pin sat. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1103201
Merovingian Obol
Finds From Wirral – Merovingian Obol Our third Early Medieval coin is a tiny piece of silver. It is listed as probably a Merovingian Obol which is rare and is of Regional Importance. The first picture shows a figure and a cross while the second showing the reverse of the coin shows intersecting triangles and a pellet. It is dated to the…
Weights & Gaming Pieces
Finds From Wirral – Weights & Gaming Pieces We have a collection of weights/gaming pieces that have been dated as being from the Early Medieval period. Of particular note in this collection is the tall holed weight at the rear. It’s weight at 44.3 grams is approximately 10 times the weight measure used for bullion by Dublin Vikings. They used a weight…
Cooking Pots
Finds From Wirral – Cooking Pots These are legs off cooking pots. Made of copper alloy these are dated between AD 1350 through to around AD 1750 so could be Medieval to Post Medieval. In all we have over 30 parts of cooking vessels from legs to rims. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1129674 https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1154477 This is a rim fragment from a copper alloy vessel. Dated AD…
Spindle Whorls
Finds From Wirral – Spindle Whorls Above we have four decorated spindle whorls. Whorls are common finds but the decorated ones less so. All are dated to AD 1200-1500. Whorls were used as weights on the end of a stick which was spun and used to twist thread. These bottom right whorl is particularly well decorated with different symbols including flowers, heart…
Copper Alloy Pin
Finds From Wirral – Copper Alloy Pin An almost complete copper alloy pin. This has been dated as AD 1200-1650 https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1190321
Annular buckle
Finds of Wirral – Annual Buckle Annular buckle dated to AD 1300 -1450. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1052596
Brooch
Finds From Wirral – Brooch Originally circular, this copper alloy decorated brooch has been dated to AD 1200-1450. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1204017
Strap Fitting
Finds From Wirral – Strap Fitting A strap fitting which is probably a suspension loop dated AD 1100-1600. This is likely to have been used to hang something from a belt. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1203066
Buckle
Finds From Wirral – Buckle The lovely little copper alloy Romanesque style buckle dates from AD 1200-1400. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1189794
Billon trachea coin
Finds From Wirral – Billon trachea coin This is another very unusual find for our area. It is a Billon trachea coin of the Byzantine Empire dating to AD 1204-61. PAS have speculated that this may be a modern loss but a small collection of Byzantine coins were discovered at Meols so it may well have a story to tell. The reverse…
Middle Eastern Coin
Finds From Wirral – Middle Eastern Coin A second earlier Middle Eastern coin in our collection is this very rare and unusual silver coin. It is a Sasanian drachm of Khusrau II who was the king of Iran from AD 590-628. This coin dates from AD 615 -618 and was minted at Shiraz in Iran. This coin is designated as of Regional…
Islamic Dirham
Finds From Wirral – Islamic Dirham This stunning piece is an Islamic Dirham. It is in excellent condition considering it dates from AD 775-776 and it was minted in Madīnat-al-Salām which is now known as Baghdad. Middle Eastern Silver was coveted by Vikings who traded across that area and Durham’s have often been found in hoards across England. https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/102947