LANCUM-227D54 Vessel

Cast lead-alloy tank dating from the later Saxon period, i.e. 9th-10th centuries. It is bent and ripped in places, but mainly complete. Kevin Leahy writes about these tanks: “The largest lead objects to have survived from the Anglo-Saxon period are the cylindrical tanks that have been found in Middle Saxon contexts, occasionally containing tools Colour Plates 01a-b. These are usually around 500mm in diameter and 300mm deep and were made in two or more parts, the base and one or more pieces forming the side wall. These were cast flat in open sand moulds and rolled around to form a cylinder. The components were melted together with a hot iron. The quality of the finish is often very poor although some examples are decorated. The function of these tanks is not understood. Three tool hoards (Flixborough, Stidriggs and Westley Waterless) have been found in lead tanks, but they would make inconvenient toolboxes. Most of them are fitted with two small iron carrying rings and the Flixborough hoard contained two hooked iron rings that would have allowed the tanks to be carried on a pole. Jane Cowgill thought the tank from Riby Crossroads, Lincs. may never have been watertight, but three lead tanks found near Garton on the Yorkshire Wolds had sooting on their bases which had been burned through and repaired in places. They were found in association with tenth century material.” There is a C14 date for Stidriggs of AD 775-892 at one standard deviation. Ben Edwards, former county archaeologist for Lancashire, adds that the Dean (Cumbd.) coin hoard, found prior to 1790, was apparently found in a lead container. Chronology Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL Date from: Circa AD 750 Date to: Circa AD 1000