Buckle End of Leather Belt from Oxford: 8th century

The little D-shaped or oval buckle made of iron or copper-alloy is gone - perhaps re-used for a fresh belt - but the method of securing it by folding over the end of the belt and stitching with thong in a V-shape, and the little v-shaped cut for the buckle pin, are well preserved.

The buckle was discovered underneath some former Medieval properties fronting on to St Aldates opposite Christ Church Meadows and close to the Thames, below a whole series of Medieval and Late Saxon houses and gardens.

Here came to light evidence of a small community living and working by the riverbank, just outside the gates of the important monastery of St Frideswide on the site of Christ Church college. They wore simple leather shoes and belts and retted flax by the riverbank, either for their own tunics or for the inmates of the monastery.