 |
 |
Hi all, Please find below the answer from Jacqui Watson on the organic material on the Saxon scabbard. Best wishes, Jessica From: WATSON, Jacqui Sent: Thu 06/03/2008 17:26 To: [log in to unmask] Cc: BAKER, Polydora; GRAHAM, Karla; PENTON, Sharon; KARSTEN, Angela Subject: RE: [ZOOARCH] Possible fish skin on Saxon scabbard Dear Jessica, I've had a look at the images on the website, and although I have to agree that the top view image is very strange looking and the rough surface could be like a dogfish skin the granular lumps don't appear to be in a regular pattern. From memory most shark skins and 'shagreen' are made up of hard diamond or polygonal shaped lumps arranged in interlocking lines - I hope this makes sense? And it's the pattern these have as well as being rough and non-slip, and were used on sword grips in Victorian times. Maybe the Royal Armouries or the Wallace Collection have more information as they have a huge collection of swords from different cultures. I'm much more confidant about the other image, which I think is textile and is damaged in such a way that one system of threads can be seen in cross section and the other system winds round them. Probably a coarse wool textile as the threads seem to be made up of fine and coarse kemp hairs, even though most seem to be hollow. In fact if you are able to look at a sample under the SEM you will probably be able to see that all that remains is a cast of the hairs in the iron oxides - see attached image. I hope this is of some help Jacqui Jacqui Watson Head of Archaeological Conservation English Heritage Fort Cumberland, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9LD ____________________________ Jessica Grimm MA AIFA Zooarchaeologist Wessex Archaeology Ltd Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, Wilts. SP4 6EB Tel No:- +44 (0)1722 326867 Fax No:- +44 (0)1722 337562 Website: www.wessexarch.co.uk P Before printing, think about the environment