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09.07.2021

Brooch with bow in copper alloy and enamel

This is a copper alloy and enamel brooch believed to be from the Roman era, probably dating to the late 1st or early 2nd century. It was unearthed during excavations conducted on Victoria Road, Winchester, by the archaeological department of the Winchester Museum Service in the mid to late 1970s.

The brooch features a prominent design centered around a large crescent moon adorned with seven enameled circles. While it did not originate from a tomb within the Roman cemetery discovered on Victoria Road, it is highly likely that it was initially placed as a funerary offering and was later disturbed and removed.

The presence of seven circular motifs on the crescent moon may symbolize the seven days, akin to seven suns, in one quarter of a lunar cycle. Additionally, seven holds significance as the number associated with planetary births and rebirths in certain Eastern mystical beliefs, where the soul is believed to undergo seven cycles before attaining immortality. Consequently, it is plausible that the brooch was interred alongside the deceased individual as a protective amulet or talisman.

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