Shield boss

A copper alloy shield boss with a hemispherical bowl surrounded by an annular flange which is embellished with a raised decorative edge where it survives. The planar flange is not turned down into the shallow cone sometimes seen on other examples. Three circular nail-holes, drilled from the front of the plate and each 6mm in diameter, survive around the flange, with a spacing which clearly indicates that there were originally four, placed equidistant. There is no trace of an inscription anywhere on the piece. Finally, the metal is extremely thin, less than 1mm, flimsy even by the standards of other bronze examples. The boss bears several dents and a cut, but whether these were acquired before or after deposition cannot be ascertained.

The “boss” provided extra defence against missiles and protected the hand gripping the back of the shield. Circular bosses, such as this example, are found on oval shields carried by auxiliary troops. Auxiliary troops were specialist soldiers recruited from the provinces.

Measurements can not be accurate due to irregularities of manufacture, later damage and distortion, and subsequent extensive corrosion that has led to the loss of substantial portions of the object.