English: Lead possible slingshot. Cast oval round-ended pear-shaped shot. A deep diagonal groove and an adjacent mark resembling an uneven saltire might be either deliberate markings or fortuitous surface damage; the latter probably more likely, as is the case with other small gouges. Patinated. The lead slingshot was the mark of a professional user; the Mediterranean islanders of the Balearics and Rhodes were especially noted as mercenary slingers, while the use of the sling in Britain is also attested. Lead slingshot seems to be associated with Roman military activity up to the end of the second century AD (Bishop and Coulston 1993, 115). The use of a lead slingshot by Roman auxillaries is likely in this case, and this example would convey significant kinetic energy to the signal disadvantage of any target it struck. Suggested date: Early Roman, 43-200.

Length: 39.1mm, Diameter: 25.5mm, Weight: 115.18gms.