Saxon Stirrup Mounts



	Late Saxon Stirrup Mounts

Late Saxon Stirrup Mounts Can archaeologists collaborate with metal detectorists? David Williams has been studying late Saxon Stirrup mounts, a hitherto little known class of objects, and he has been able to transform the whole knowledge of these articles in the last few years by a unique collaboration with metal detectorists. These are objects which were, since the 1950s, known as book mounts, but recently they have been identified as stirrup mounts, devices placed at the junction of stirrup and strap to prevent wear on the stirrup leather. The illustration here shows one of the finest, from Hampshire. It shows a naked and bearded man holding a pair of snakes which intertwine with his legs. Does this represent a scene in Norse Mythology? Click 'Forward' for the next article