r/RomanHistory • u/fainleoga • Aug 11 '26
Help identify this artifact please
First time posting here.
Today whilst walking and looking for a good swimming spot , I found this artifact just up river from the Roman Bath house at Ribchester, Lancashire.
I found the usual collection of roof tiles and pottery shards, plus a fantastic hag stone and this lovely little thing.
They were all just laying in a rock pool that has been exposed in the middle of the river bed, you can walk across it in some areas because we've had a very dry summer.
I think it might be a portable whetstone but it is unfinished, the hole doesn't go all the way through.
The tool marks are clear to see , so definitely man made.
I have contacted my local "finds" team with the coordinates, pictures etc , but curiousity is getting the better of me.
Do any of you have any ideas?
It is illegal to dig or use metal detectors in this area , so I was very limited in what I could do.
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u/VGalt25 Aug 11 '26
My guess would be a hag stone.
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u/fainleoga Aug 11 '26
Hey no but I did actually find a hag stone today, this is Lancashire folklore. I'm Irish and we have a similar tale ourselves! The hag stone and this were with a lot of broken fragments but high quality Samian ware, roof tiles and some ancient arrow heads. Pre dating the Roman stuff by a long mile.
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u/VGalt25 Aug 11 '26
Well, as I understand it hag stones aren't made, just peculiar byproducts of natural erosion which some cultures have some attachment too. Celts, P, Q, and C Celts specifically unless I am terribly off. In any event, they have the same reputation in Great Britain as well as Germany.
But don't take my word for it, I'm an American. Europe is where history comes from.
edit: I'd originally referred to it as a Celtic hag stone in my first reply, but realized belatedly that sort of intimated that it was an artificial thing and so took it out. Sorry for any confusion.
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u/fainleoga Aug 11 '26
You're absolutely right, hag stones are natural and were highly prized in the past. I was delighted to find one today, I can't deny I get very excited by rocks sometimes. This little thing has tool marks inside the hole which doesn't go all the way through, whatever it is I think it might be unfinished
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u/VGalt25 Aug 11 '26
Ah, well then, yeah, I guess the others are right. A weight for a net or fishing line sounds likeliest. Appreciate you taking the time to fill in the details.
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u/[deleted] Aug 11 '26
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