Belting find at Museum of London

29 August 2006

With European immigration in the news this week, a newly discovered Saxon buckle on display at Museum of London from Tuesday 29 August offers a timely reminder of London’s historical status as a magnet for migration and cultural mobility.

The Hispano-Visigothic copper alloy buckle plate, dates from c. AD600-720 and would usually be found in southern Spain or Portugal.  The extremely rare artefact is only the second example of its type to have appeared in England, and was unearthed in the outskirts of London by a metal-detectorist, Bill Robson.

The buckle follows the Byzantine style, whose influence phased out traditional Visigothic forms in costume and jewellery from the late 6th century.  Originally, it would have been fastened to a loop and tongue strap with an iron pin, a belt-fitting that held up continental garments until the Islamic period.

Faye Simpson, London finds liaison officer and Museum of London’s community archaeologist said:

“This buckle is as beautiful as  anything you could hope to find on Bond Street and would originally have been gilded – probably in gold or tin.  This is a really exciting find, which has come to light through responsible metal detecting.

"Discoveries like this really do show the importance of reporting stray finds.  It also indicates the devastating effect of ploughing to archaeological sites and how these are increasingly being discovered by members of the public.”

Notes to editors

• For images please contact Clea Relly at crelly@museumoflondon.org.uk. or on 020 7814 5503 or 079 327 323 96.
• For more information please call Faye Simpson on 07766 3030 57.
• The Museum of London is the only museum to tell the story of London from pre-historic times to the present. Find out what Romans ate for dinner, experience the Great Fire of London, find out when pointy shoes first became fashionable, go window-shopping in our Victorian walkway and be amazed by the magnificent Lord Mayor’s coach. Open daily, admission is free.  To hear about our exciting events programme and start exploring London’s history visit www.museumoflondon.org.uk or call 0870 444 3851.
• In February 2007 the Museum of London will begin an £18 million initiative to redevelop the galleries which tell stories of London from 1666 up to today.  The Capital City project will also include a new learning centre, an information zone, a coffee point and a lecture theatre, which will open in 2009.  For more information, including about how to support the campaign by “buying a year of London’s history” and becoming part of the new display see www.museumoflondon.org.uk/buyayear or call 020 7814 5505.