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This object was found by a metal-detectorist in Roxby cum Risby, North Lincolnshire, and was subsequently identified by the local Finds Liaison Officer as a nail cleaner, or possibly a surgical instrument, dating to the late Roman period (c.AD 250-410).
The artefact is made from copper alloy, and comprises a narrow, flat bar measuring 47.3mm in length. The wider end is rounded, before tapering along the length of the item; the opposite end is broken, but may once have formed a sharp point. One side of the wide end is inscribed with a circular design containing what appears to be a four-armed cross: this motif might allude to Christianity, and also bears similarities to the small crosses found in the Horkstow mosaic, which is displayed at Hull and East Riding Museum (see http://www.hullmuseums.co.uk/hull-east-riding-museum).
Along the length of the instrument we find inscribed text, reading ‘ESSIMGLVS FECIT’. The word fecit, translating to ‘s/he made’ is commonly found on objects from the Roman period, and usually indicates the individual who crafted the item. However, ‘ESSIMGLVS’ is hard to translate to a known name. It is likely that the moniker ended in ‘-maglus’, a popular termination in Celtic names, and a variation of maglos, meaning ‘prince’. The full name has been suggested as possibly reading ‘Dessimaglus’, since Dessius is a fairly common Celtic name, but this combination is otherwise unknown.
For more information about this object, see http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1197014 or search for NLM-2E0C02 on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is an initiative to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. For more information on the Scheme, and to browse its database of more than 1.5 million finds, visit www.finds.org.uk. Information on this find was provided by Martin Foreman, Finds Liaison Officer for Northern Lincolnshire. Information on the inscription was provided by Dr Roger Tomlin, University of Oxford.
Text: Rebecca Preedy / Image: North Lincolnshire Museum
