'Metalwork' In: Arabaolaza, Iraia, Buckley, Rachel, Williamson, Sam and Woodward, Alun A Hoard, Spear Moulds and a Bear, Oh my!’ a Late Bronze Age Settlement at Greenside farm, Rosemarkie

In addition to the late Bronze Age hoard (Part 5), three other items of metalwork were recovered. Two iron objects comprise a bar fragment (Sample 225) and a relatively modern machinery part (SF 34), the latter from topsoil and not discussed further. The bar (Sample 225) is missing both ends, making closer identification challenging but the slight taper along its length could suggest it was a nail shank, or tool tang, for example. It was recovered from the fill of a pit (1332/1331) in Roundhouse 4, implying it is probably ancient. Small bar fragments are common finds on sites where blacksmiths were working, where a range of stock and offcuts would have been circulating. Small quantities of blacksmithing debris recovered at Rosemarkie, including from Roundhouse 5 (Part 4: Ironworking and Vitrified Material) suggest this is a plausible explanation for Sample 225. D-shaped copper alloy buckles like SF 26 have medieval and later parallels and could have served many functions, including fastening personal dress or straps on horse gear or other equipment (Egan and Pritchard 2002, 50-52). A slightly flattened facet on the rounded outer edge of SF 26’s frame may have been caused by frequent rubbing against a strap or clothing, suggesting it was well-used. Buckles are commonly found in topsoil/plough soil contexts, as this one was, and the missing bar from SF 26 could have been the cause of its accidental loss