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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · May 2

Latest April news from @findsorguk.bsky.social !
#Archaeology #Heritage #History #MetalDetecting #Treasure

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 15

Tuesday's I have my finders come in to drop off & collect their finds.
Some cool stuff in today, including (& drool over this you Bronze Age freaks) this socketed LBA axe WITH a wooden peg(?) insert...😱😍
BRONZE AGE WOOD FROM CO. DURHAM
#archaeology #heritage #PAS #Rocks 😉

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 11

Last year @findsorguk.bsky.social started sending out a monthly newsletter/update that we can share with interested groups & peoples.
Is this something that might interest the Bsky crowd??
well, here it is anyways...
#Archaeology #PortableAntiquitiesScheme #MetalDetecting
#Heritage #RecordYourFinds

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 11

Trouble with jammy dodger spindle whorls, they make the yarn sticky...

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Sussex Portable Antiquities Scheme Team @sussexflo.bsky.social · Apr 11

#FindsFriday today with a lovely counterfeit Roman coin!
A copper-alloy cast contemporary copy of a Roman denarius of Diva Faustina I (AD 138-161), struck under Antoninus Pius, dating to the period c. AD 141-161
To see the full record, follow the link: finds.org.uk/database/art...

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 11

Last year @findsorguk.bsky.social started sending out a monthly newsletter/update that we can share with interested groups & peoples.
Is this something that might interest the Bsky crowd??
well, here it is anyways...
#Archaeology #PortableAntiquitiesScheme #MetalDetecting
#Heritage #RecordYourFinds

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 11

#FindsFriday little beauty...
weird, almost flat disc, yet decorated bi-concial high medieval Spindle Whorl.
Try to contain your envy....
finds.org.uk/database/art...

A complete lead spindle whorl from the Medieval period (AD1200-1500).

The whorl comprises a very slightly central bi-conical body with a central aperture measuring 9.1mm. It is decorated on both faces with a series of raised lines, which form triangular shapes radiating from the central aperture forming a four-pointed star, with an additional two diagonal lines either side of the the point at the base. each point of the star contains a raised pellet, and further pellets are arranged between the points. A rasied border runs around the edge of the spindle whorl. The patina of the metal is of a dark cream colour.

The relatively large diameter of the central perforation and the biconical form places this in the mid to later medieval period. Standley (2016, 278-9) suggests this type dates between the 13th and end of the 15th century. This spindle whorl is slightly unusual for a biconcial medieval Walton Rogers form C2, being almost a flat disc (and thus Walton Rogers form B).

Dimensions: Thickness: 5.75 mm; Weight: 33.35 g; Diameter: 36.27 mm.

Standley, E.R., 2016. Spinning Yarns: The Archaeological Evidence for Hand Spinning and its Social Implications, c ad 1200-1500. Medieval Archaeology 60, 266-299.
Walton Rogers, P., 2007. Cloth and clothing in early Anglo-Saxon England: AD 450-700, CBA research report. Council for British Archaeology, York.

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

NO KINGS IN AMERICA… 😎 @jerasikehorn.bsky.social · Apr 8

If you need a ‘good laugh’…👇

Since. Ancient. Times. 😂✨

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 8

Weird fused/melted medieval coin hoard, probably all late Edward I but only the 2 separated coins were identifiable, the other 7 not so much...
Still, acquired by @ducollections.bsky.social through the Treasure process, so hopefully available to view there soon!
finds.org.uk/database/art...

Description: A hoard of [probably] 9 medieval long cross pennies dating to the period AD 1280 - 1310. Two (2) pennies are complete, or mostly complete, and survive individually and are thus identifiable. Seven (7) are fused together. The fused groups appear to comprise medieval long cross pennies, of which only the reverse of a single coin is identifiable.

Catalogue:

Coin 1: Silver penny of Edward I (AD 1272-1307) dating to the period AD 1301-1310. Long cross reverse. Mint of London. Class 10cf5
(note: slight fold across coin from 11-5)

Obverse Legend: EDWA R ANGL DN[S hYB]
Reverse Legend: CIVI/TAS/LON/DON

Reference: North Vol 2, p.28, no.1043/1

Dimensions: Weight: 1.4g; Diameter: 19.61mm. Die Axis: 7.

Coin 2: Silver penny of Edward I (AD 1272-1307) dating to the period AD 1301-1310. Long cross reverse. Mint of London. Class 10ab5

(note: slight fold across coin from 1-7)

Obverse Legend: EDWAR R [ANG]L DNS hYB
Reverse Legend: [CIV]I/TAS/LON/DON

Reference: North Vol 2, p.28, no.1039/3

Dimensions: Weight: 1.4g; Diameter: 17.88mm. Die Axis: 5.

Coins 7-9: A group of at least 7 fused coins (wt: 12.1g). All appear to be pennies, probably dating similar to the coins above, thus Edward 1 (AD1272-1307). The reverse of the bottom coin can be seen with a legend which reads CIVI/TAS/LON/DON (mint of London). Discussion: All the coins are official English silver coins of the 13th or 14th century and will thus have been struck to the sterling standard, over 90% fine metal, and would have been in circulation together. It is likely all the coins were deposited together as a group on a single occasion.

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 8

just to say, I'm completely here for - dodecahedrongate -
@findsorguk.bsky.social data is free, & all our images are [should]!] be available with CC BY 2.0!

Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · Apr 7

As an artefact specialist looking at bling/treasure/important finds (whatever you want to call them) I am so very tired of the way that we treat these objects as somehow exceptional or see them primarily as cash value.

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#Archaeology ⚱️

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 7

Had a thoroughly lovely time @romanfindsgroup.bsky.social Spring conference!
I think we can agree that amongst archaeologists, finds specialists really are the loveliest & friendliest bunch - & not biased at all 😜
i'm sure @findsorguk.bsky.social will agree....

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Tegels @tegels.bsky.social · Apr 6

Join the Roman Finds Group - you know it makes sense! @romanfindsgroup.bsky.social

Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 4

I'll be talking about these cheeky little chappies on Sunday at the Roman Finds Group conference in Durham in Sunday!
Join the RFG only £12 a year 😍
#LionHeadStud #TongueOut
romanfindsgroup.org.uk/rfg-spring-2...

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Apr 4

I'll be talking about these cheeky little chappies on Sunday at the Roman Finds Group conference in Durham in Sunday!
Join the RFG only £12 a year 😍
#LionHeadStud #TongueOut
romanfindsgroup.org.uk/rfg-spring-2...

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Morgan J Freeman @mjfree.bsky.social · Feb 28

💙 if you stand with UKRAINE? 🇺🇦

a blue and yellow heart with the words we stand with ukraine written on it

ALT: a blue and yellow heart with the words we stand with ukraine written on it

media.tenor.com

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 28

#SlavaUkraini

That's it.

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Portable Antiquities & Treasure @findsorguk.bsky.social · Feb 11

Today saw the launch of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (2023) and Treasure (2022) annual reports at the British Museum, highlighting record levels of finds submitted for voluntary recording to the PAS (over 70,000) and those reported (1,358) in 2023. Available here: finds.org.uk/publications

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 17

medieval coin ID'ing is all about fine margins!
John class 6a2 or Henry III 6c1??
6a2 has an 'E' with spur, but 6c1 has large pearls in the crown!
So we thought latter, turns out it's the former due to neat bust and rectangular face...
#Splittinghairs #Splittingheirs
finds.org.uk/database/art...

A silver penny of the Medieval period from the reign of John (AD1199-1216).

Class 6a2 Moneyer Abel, London, 1208/9-1216 AD.
Obverse description: Crowned bust facing with sceptre

Obverse inscription: hEN[RICU]S REX

Reverse description: Short cross voided with quatrefoil in each corner.

Reverse inscription: A[BE]L ON LVNDE. Cross pattée

Measurements: Diameter: 18.3mm, Weight: 1.5g

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 16

Agree, but you missed 'traitorous' 😉

Ian W @ianwest1.bsky.social · Feb 16

Farage is just a self-publicising, blustering fascist gobshite…

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 7

Flash back to the first time i had to tell a finder "yes, it's a grave" 😂

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 5

Ex-sss-iting Late Roman copper alloy/bronze twisted wire bracelet, just recorded on @findsorguk.bsky.social
c. 3rd - 4th century AD
Found in Wiltshire, and reported up here in Durham.

3/4th century Roman twisted wire bracelet in an 's' shape

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 5

@findsorguk.bsky.social record for this fascinating object, if anyone's interested:
finds.org.uk/database/art...

Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 5

"Export bar on Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet panel"

Good.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Export bar on Anglo-Saxon gold panel found near Pocklington

The piece of art, valued at almost £4,000, was found in a field near Pocklington in 2013.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Feb 5

"Export bar on Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet panel"

Good.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Export bar on Anglo-Saxon gold panel found near Pocklington

The piece of art, valued at almost £4,000, was found in a field near Pocklington in 2013.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Jan 30

Worrying news from English Heritage.
Is it time for both EH and Historic England to be taken back under full government control?
Seems like bonkers to me that our national heritage bodies are ALBs!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

English Heritage plans up to 200 redundancies and winter closures of some sites

Exclusive: At least 7% of workforce could be affected with curators targeted as part of charity’s restructuring

www.theguardian.com

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Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺 @benjwestwood.bsky.social · Jan 27

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Warrant issued for the arrest of Viking hoard thief

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of metal detectorist George Powell who stole a hoard of gold coins and jewellery valued at £3 million.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Megan Olshefski @meganolshefski.bsky.social · Jan 27

Today’s office for the day is Newcastle’s hidden gem, the @litandphil! If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.

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