Name This Artifact

[nomaxim]

"With the tall legs like that it would seem to me that possibly they would set it over a small flame or candle to warm whatever the contents were. [shrug]"

Perhaps used to heat olive oil for a backrub? Also a single tapering base design was rather expensive, at that time.

"My guess would be that is was brought by a European family that settled there."

Let's figure out what it is before we try to guess how it got where it was.?

"I must say the sample hole is exceptionally shoddy, a sign of the times I guess, when larger samples were needed before digital spectroscopy and so on, but it has effectively ruined any functionality for the piece..."

Concur, a much better place would have been just below the point where the handle connets to the bowl. Less visable and would not destroy function.

Two questions and a request;
Questions:
1. How do you know the history of the find? Was any testing done by a lab?

2. As stated above, who was the moron that drilled that hole? They may well have ruined that item!

Request:
Can you get better pics of the head? Close ups of the front and side would be most useful. It may look like a cat, however I have seen something like that before. I'm thinking it may be a bull with stylized horns? Look at the muzzle.

"Mediterranean origins or perhaps North African. "
U-96, let's rule North Afican out for now, as that would make the item either from Libya or Carthage! Not much exists from Carthage as the Romans razed it, in like the 3rd cen. BC.
Or where you thinking Egypt?

[RobRich]

I will post additional pictures shortly.

I know a portion of the find details. Testing was originally done independently (likely seeking gold content), though later examination has backed up the original conclusion concerning the metal being bronze.

As to the discovery process, I can gather additional details, though I do have reliable information concerning the find location, depth, and decade.

Robert Richmond

[RobRich]

The pictures are not the best as I am stuck with only my HP digital camera right now. I can't find my RCA.

[nomaxim]

Okay!!

The muzzle looks shorter then in your first pic.

I'll rule out the bull idea, and go with a cat.
(NOTE: It could also be a bat from some Roman vampire cult. )

What about the history of the item?

How sure are you of it?

Hey, some hick from WV. could have made it.
You never know.

EDIT: I might forward this link to some people.

[RobRich]

I keep coming back to it being a cat as well, but I can't find a historical reference that parallels this distinct facial design.

Robert Richmond

[RobRich]

As to origin, I have near 100% (>99%) reliability of where it came from.

However, where it might have come from before being dug up from the ground is a total blank.

Robert Richmond

[nomaxim]

You said it was found eight feet down.

That means it was buried.

Georgia has mostly clay soil, very slow build up of sediment, and things don't sink into the ground.

Wonder if Theo knows anything about the improper mixes for bronze
(copper to tin) and the decay rates. IMO that item has to high mixture of copper (note the green).

Sorry, that I can't help more but my field is in Northern Europe, early middle ages.

EDIT: IT IS NOT VIKING? I'll PM Theo and see what he has to say.

[RobRich]

Two theories are present concerning the depth....

1. The area was a grave of some type.
2. The area was a basement/cellar of a house.

I am from the same region, and yes, the soil is not condusive to sedimentary sinking/burial.

Bronze is generally an alloy of approximately 90% copper and 10% tin.

Glad to know it is not Viking.

Robert Richmond

[U-96]

Viking sensibilities made silver, not bronze the metal of choice - they were perhaps the finest silversmiths of their age. Celts liked bronze, but this would appear to be quite a clumsy piece for a people where metal objects were status items. It does remain a possibility, especially as the head has a Celtic style to it.

I was thinking Roman or Islamic North African rather than pre-Roman Carthage etc although the zoomorphic handle would probably rule the latter option out. Roman, Greek, eastern Med all still strong contenders.

Maybe Rob's jerking our chain and just knocked it up in the workshop!

[nomaxim]

In my professional opinion, this item and site are contaminated. Sorry.