Ben Westwood - Durham FLO 🇺🇦🇪🇺
@benjwestwood.bsky.social
Archaeologist & Durham Finds Liaison Officer for @findsorguk.bsky.social & the British Museum
@FLODurhamFLO in the other place.
Archaeology, Football (Wolves FC 🐺), Politics ('milquetoast social democrat' ;) - what else is there? Oh yeah, ADHD
@FLODurhamFLO in the other place.
Archaeology, Football (Wolves FC 🐺), Politics ('milquetoast social democrat' ;) - what else is there? Oh yeah, ADHD
Latest April news from @findsorguk.bsky.social !
#Archaeology #Heritage #History #MetalDetecting #Treasure
#Archaeology #Heritage #History #MetalDetecting #Treasure
May 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Latest April news from @findsorguk.bsky.social !
#Archaeology #Heritage #History #MetalDetecting #Treasure
#Archaeology #Heritage #History #MetalDetecting #Treasure
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 😉
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 😉
April 15, 2025 at 8:03 PM
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 😉
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 😉
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
Is this something that might interest the Bsky crowd??
well, here it is anyways...
#Archaeology #PortableAntiquitiesScheme #MetalDetecting
#Heritage #RecordYourFinds
April 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
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
Is this something that might interest the Bsky crowd??
well, here it is anyways...
#Archaeology #PortableAntiquitiesScheme #MetalDetecting
#Heritage #RecordYourFinds
#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...
weird, almost flat disc, yet decorated bi-concial high medieval Spindle Whorl.
Try to contain your envy....
finds.org.uk/database/art...
April 11, 2025 at 11:33 AM
#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...
weird, almost flat disc, yet decorated bi-concial high medieval Spindle Whorl.
Try to contain your envy....
finds.org.uk/database/art...
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...
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.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ywu57gcwwzslyrldeablg47k/bafkreihkp3tc23hmtz4c6qkqczwng435tnwyn32zeuwokdqtugmmbfvbhi@jpeg)
April 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
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...
Still, acquired by @ducollections.bsky.social through the Treasure process, so hopefully available to view there soon!
finds.org.uk/database/art...
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....
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....
April 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
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....
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....
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...
Join the RFG only £12 a year 😍
#LionHeadStud #TongueOut
romanfindsgroup.org.uk/rfg-spring-2...
April 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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...
Join the RFG only £12 a year 😍
#LionHeadStud #TongueOut
romanfindsgroup.org.uk/rfg-spring-2...
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...
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](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ywu57gcwwzslyrldeablg47k/bafkreic2dpruzim3fdsfd23f6wkmk2jar7uyusxtwdhz4inkmwwjdcwbs4@jpeg)
February 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
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...
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...
Flash back to the first time i had to tell a finder "yes, it's a grave" 😂
February 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Flash back to the first time i had to tell a finder "yes, it's a grave" 😂
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.
c. 3rd - 4th century AD
Found in Wiltshire, and reported up here in Durham.
February 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
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.
c. 3rd - 4th century AD
Found in Wiltshire, and reported up here in Durham.
Spent yesterday over at Tees Archeology, one of my local partners, working with their volunteers as part of some training we're delivering
Also had a peek at some of the stuff from the LIA/RB site at Catcote currently being sorted in the Archives
including this rare (this far north) Rossette Brooch😍
Also had a peek at some of the stuff from the LIA/RB site at Catcote currently being sorted in the Archives
including this rare (this far north) Rossette Brooch😍
January 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Spent yesterday over at Tees Archeology, one of my local partners, working with their volunteers as part of some training we're delivering
Also had a peek at some of the stuff from the LIA/RB site at Catcote currently being sorted in the Archives
including this rare (this far north) Rossette Brooch😍
Also had a peek at some of the stuff from the LIA/RB site at Catcote currently being sorted in the Archives
including this rare (this far north) Rossette Brooch😍
here @findsorguk.bsky.social the Research never ends...
Just updating this 10 year old Treasure case: we think the figures on the bezel of this medieval iconographic ring are Gabriel (left) & Mary in an Annunciation scene.
props to Rob Webley 😘 (where is he
@tokeneffort.bsky.social?)
Just updating this 10 year old Treasure case: we think the figures on the bezel of this medieval iconographic ring are Gabriel (left) & Mary in an Annunciation scene.
props to Rob Webley 😘 (where is he
@tokeneffort.bsky.social?)
January 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
here @findsorguk.bsky.social the Research never ends...
Just updating this 10 year old Treasure case: we think the figures on the bezel of this medieval iconographic ring are Gabriel (left) & Mary in an Annunciation scene.
props to Rob Webley 😘 (where is he
@tokeneffort.bsky.social?)
Just updating this 10 year old Treasure case: we think the figures on the bezel of this medieval iconographic ring are Gabriel (left) & Mary in an Annunciation scene.
props to Rob Webley 😘 (where is he
@tokeneffort.bsky.social?)
off to see the Lads at St James's tonight...Hoping for Geordie tears (especially as my youngest, despite going to 7 matches now, has never seen Wolves Win!)
#WWFC #WolvesAyWe #Wolves #NUFC
#WWFC #WolvesAyWe #Wolves #NUFC
January 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
off to see the Lads at St James's tonight...Hoping for Geordie tears (especially as my youngest, despite going to 7 matches now, has never seen Wolves Win!)
#WWFC #WolvesAyWe #Wolves #NUFC
#WWFC #WolvesAyWe #Wolves #NUFC
of course, not everyone looked on Elizabeth's bust with the admiration we have afforded her....
Papists & Recusants had their own way of paying homage to her image 😅
(doubly #Defaced in this case, rubbed & crossed out!)
#SmallActsOfDefiance
[Shilling 1602 privy mark '2']
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Papists & Recusants had their own way of paying homage to her image 😅
(doubly #Defaced in this case, rubbed & crossed out!)
#SmallActsOfDefiance
[Shilling 1602 privy mark '2']
finds.org.uk/database/art...
January 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
of course, not everyone looked on Elizabeth's bust with the admiration we have afforded her....
Papists & Recusants had their own way of paying homage to her image 😅
(doubly #Defaced in this case, rubbed & crossed out!)
#SmallActsOfDefiance
[Shilling 1602 privy mark '2']
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Papists & Recusants had their own way of paying homage to her image 😅
(doubly #Defaced in this case, rubbed & crossed out!)
#SmallActsOfDefiance
[Shilling 1602 privy mark '2']
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Compare and contrast to last portrait bust of Elizabeth I's reign on this 1602 sixpence
[sixpence, '2' privy mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
[sixpence, '2' privy mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
January 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Compare and contrast to last portrait bust of Elizabeth I's reign on this 1602 sixpence
[sixpence, '2' privy mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
[sixpence, '2' privy mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
👑These First Issue coins were struck with the earliest likenesses of Elizabeth I as monarch 👑
The earliest formal portrait [probs] dates c.1560, whereas this coin is 1559, from a 1558 portrait die.
[Groat, Lis privy Mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
The earliest formal portrait [probs] dates c.1560, whereas this coin is 1559, from a 1558 portrait die.
[Groat, Lis privy Mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
January 13, 2025 at 9:07 PM
👑These First Issue coins were struck with the earliest likenesses of Elizabeth I as monarch 👑
The earliest formal portrait [probs] dates c.1560, whereas this coin is 1559, from a 1558 portrait die.
[Groat, Lis privy Mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
The earliest formal portrait [probs] dates c.1560, whereas this coin is 1559, from a 1558 portrait die.
[Groat, Lis privy Mark]
finds.org.uk/database/art...
I mean, this is lovely wholesome stuff, exactly what museums should be about, and yet...
(a small party of me worries this is just giving the 'rock-fits in the palm of your hands-nutters' ideas 👀)
(a small party of me worries this is just giving the 'rock-fits in the palm of your hands-nutters' ideas 👀)
December 31, 2024 at 3:56 PM
I mean, this is lovely wholesome stuff, exactly what museums should be about, and yet...
(a small party of me worries this is just giving the 'rock-fits in the palm of your hands-nutters' ideas 👀)
(a small party of me worries this is just giving the 'rock-fits in the palm of your hands-nutters' ideas 👀)
*CI.REPOSE LIVNSVR.LE.ROSE
'The Lion Sleeps Upon the Rose'
14th century anonymous seal matrix
A complete copper alloy pendant seal matrix, of medieval date, probably c. AD 1300-1400.
Found near Marlborough, Wiltshire
finds.org.uk/database/art...
December 13, 2024 at 4:53 PM
*CI.REPOSE LIVNSVR.LE.ROSE
'The Lion Sleeps Upon the Rose'
14th century anonymous seal matrix
A complete copper alloy pendant seal matrix, of medieval date, probably c. AD 1300-1400.
Found near Marlborough, Wiltshire
finds.org.uk/database/art...
A tiny gold annular brooch dating from the 13th century, found near Barnard Castle, Co. Durham in 2022.
Both the area of the pin loop and pin rest are decorated with opposing heads of a lizard or dragon.
#TreasureTuesday
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Both the area of the pin loop and pin rest are decorated with opposing heads of a lizard or dragon.
#TreasureTuesday
finds.org.uk/database/art...
December 3, 2024 at 1:36 PM
A tiny gold annular brooch dating from the 13th century, found near Barnard Castle, Co. Durham in 2022.
Both the area of the pin loop and pin rest are decorated with opposing heads of a lizard or dragon.
#TreasureTuesday
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Both the area of the pin loop and pin rest are decorated with opposing heads of a lizard or dragon.
#TreasureTuesday
finds.org.uk/database/art...
Living up in Durham we don't get down to the #Wolves as often as we'd like, but we'll be there tomorrow😍
But.... Which shirt 😱
#wwfc #wolvesaywe
But.... Which shirt 😱
#wwfc #wolvesaywe
November 29, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Living up in Durham we don't get down to the #Wolves as often as we'd like, but we'll be there tomorrow😍
But.... Which shirt 😱
#wwfc #wolvesaywe
But.... Which shirt 😱
#wwfc #wolvesaywe
Big day in the @findsorguk.bsky.social calendar, our Christmas meeting at the British Museum!
And first time viewing the Chew Valley hoard, brilliantly laid out just yesterday by @wendreda.bsky.social 😍
#Treasure
And first time viewing the Chew Valley hoard, brilliantly laid out just yesterday by @wendreda.bsky.social 😍
#Treasure
November 27, 2024 at 11:52 AM
Big day in the @findsorguk.bsky.social calendar, our Christmas meeting at the British Museum!
And first time viewing the Chew Valley hoard, brilliantly laid out just yesterday by @wendreda.bsky.social 😍
#Treasure
And first time viewing the Chew Valley hoard, brilliantly laid out just yesterday by @wendreda.bsky.social 😍
#Treasure
If you see this, post a beach pic from your gallery.
Eigg
Eigg
November 26, 2024 at 7:59 PM
If you see this, post a beach pic from your gallery.
Eigg
Eigg
Our well thumbed 2nd edition of Renfrew and Bahn.
Can't be many archaeologists of our generation without an old copy somewhere.
Can't be many archaeologists of our generation without an old copy somewhere.
November 26, 2024 at 8:35 AM
Our well thumbed 2nd edition of Renfrew and Bahn.
Can't be many archaeologists of our generation without an old copy somewhere.
Can't be many archaeologists of our generation without an old copy somewhere.
I have to admit, I have ventured back to The Bad Place a little over the past couple of days, but only to enjoy those bitter dimwits howling in vain at the moon.
Honestly, it's a beautiful sight 😂😂😂
Honestly, it's a beautiful sight 😂😂😂
November 25, 2024 at 10:08 PM
I have to admit, I have ventured back to The Bad Place a little over the past couple of days, but only to enjoy those bitter dimwits howling in vain at the moon.
Honestly, it's a beautiful sight 😂😂😂
Honestly, it's a beautiful sight 😂😂😂
November 23, 2024 at 5:09 PM