Silchester objects in focus: Part 2

With Hampshire Cultural Trust Conservator, Claire Woodhead

As conservation cleaning on the current batch of Silchester objects continues,
join me for another timelapse trip down the microscope, discovering the long-hidden surface of a Roman hairpin from the bathhouse site.

UPDATE: Since this article was published on Saturday 30 May new information has come to light that the object is not a hairpin at all.  The finds specialist has now looked at the object and is now able to see that it is in fact a long handled toilet spoon.  These sorts of items often form part of a toiletry set with other implements such as tweezers – they are quite often found at Roman sites.

It’s a fantastic demonstration of why investigative cleaning is so important – to aid interpretation, so that finds can be properly recorded.

Taking measurements

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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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