Basic info

Collection

Archaeology

Object name

Hair piece

Object category

Roman

Description

Hair piece, found in a sarcophagus containined a lead coffin and gypsum. The lead coffin was decorated with a corded pattern. The preservation of the hair is really very unusual - presumably it had been treated with somethign prior to internment that has affected it in this way. The head may have originally laid upon a pillow, preventing initial contact with the gypsum. Two cantharus-headed jet pins remain in situ in the hair. Canon Raine (YPS Proceedings 1875) "In this place was found a long folded tress , the back hair, in fact, of a young Roman lady. It might almost have been combed when it was first discovered, it was so limp. Fixed in it are two beautifully wrought pins of jet. By the side oof what had once been the cheeks, and n the fragments of the skull, were other small portions of hair which have been preserved. The bones of the skull and body were all in pieces; very little remained of the body or its garniture, save this beautiful curl."

Production date start

250

Production date end

410

Period

Roman