A bronze belt buckle with attaching propeller stiffener.  The buckle plate itself is a separate sheet from the actual buckle hinge and ring (now missing).  Two rivets hold the sheet to the curved hinge section, with remnants of the iron core still remaining.  The sheet section is nicely designed with a dot pattern that surrounds the edge, and then two rows of facing triangles.  These triangles then meet at two raised circles.  The dots continue around the circles forming another border.

The stiffener is clearly cast bronze, as indicated by the casting line showing on the reverse.  The face of the stiffener has two triangular sections facing a circle.  A incised border line follows the whole piece, while numerous concentric circles make up the center.  Two rivets remain intact, showing where they would have attached to the leather belt.  The gap between the rivet and end, is approximately 2mm, indicating that the leather belt was probably around that thick.

Although not certain if they items came from the same belt, they are stylistically and period wise associated.

The belt was an important part of the Roman Legionary's equipment and during the 5th Century they were still highly decorated and works of art unto their own. (1)(2)

-picture by Mike Bishop

Click on Pictures for higher resolution

Complete Set View (2) Probable location and style of buckle ring

Specific area View (2)