Ancient Egyptian holdfast from Oxyrhynchus dated 30 BC – AD 395

Copper alloy holdfast. Rectangular strip of metal, bent into a ridge slightly in the centre of the strip. Irregular square holes at either end of the strip, on the outside edge are two incised circular designs. designs are of three concentric circles. Probably fixed to two items to hold them together, similar to a hinge.

Ancient Egyptian holdfast from Oxyrhynchus dated 30 BC – AD 395

Object details

  • Reference: BOLMG:1907.90.22.k
  • Material: copper alloy
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Excavator: B.P. Grenfell
  • Dated: 30 BC - AD 395
  • Object name: holdfast
  • Dimensions: Length: 45mm , Width: 13mm , Depth: 7mm
  • Published references: Grenfell B P & Hunt A S Egypt Exploraton Fund Archaeological Reports 1902-1903 pp.7-8
  • Site: Oxyrhynchus
  • Latitude: 28.531
  • Longitude: 30.647