Gilt Bronze Fish-Shaped Fitting from Barton Court Farm, Abingdon, Oxfordshire: 6th century AD

One of the most intriguing objects to be found at Barton Court Farm, the late Romano-British villa farmstead subsequently occupied by Anglo-Saxons, is this little ornament from the 6th-century grave of a young woman about 18 to 23 years old.

The cast bronze ornament was probably adapted for use as a brooch after much of its original gilding had worn off. Originally it was fish-shaped, with head and tail and vestigial fins, but for some reason the head and tail were removed. Traces of solder on the two ends at the back, show where brooch fittings were attached.

Little fish ornaments like this one are known as decorations for Saxon shields in Kent and East Anglia. Why were fish popular on shields? How did this one become detached and how did it get to Oxfordshire? Was this booty, a gift or memento, or just a chance find? And where on the garments was it worn?

The young Anglo-Saxon woman may have died in childbirth; she was accompanied by a new-born infant.