9 treasures in 9 days- Day 2

Hampshire Cultural Trust's Curatorial Liaison Manager, Ross, shines the spotlight on one archaeological object a day throughout the Festival of Archaeology.

These objects were reported and recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, purchased from the Crown through the Treasure reporting process and accessioned into the collections cared for by Hampshire Cultural Trust. They are now available for displays at our museums and for research.

Object 2

Object: finger-ring

Period: Roman

Date: Mid 2nd century AD

HMCMS:A2018.94

Roman silver finger-ring, of circa mid 2nd century AD date, found by a metal detectorist in the Fleet area, Hampshire, in 2017. The ring is set with a carnelian/cornelian gemstone engraved with a depiction of Cupid, the Roman God of Love, as a huntsman, holding up a hare in his right hand for his hound below. Carved gemstones are known as intaglios and Roman gods were very popular subjects for the carvings. Frescoes depicting Cupid hunting hares were found at Pompeii.

One way archaeologists have of dating objects is by looking at changes in shape called typology and items are given type names and numbers.  In this case, the ring is a Henig Type II which means it matches a shape and form identified by the archaeologist Martin Henig.


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Hampshire Cultural Trust

From museums to galleries to arts centres, we manage and support 24 attractions across the county, welcoming over 740,000 people each year. Our charitable purpose is changing lives through culture.
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