Find Spot record 2400/0/1 - Shavington Salt Pan

Roman lead salt pan flattened and cut into 8 pieces, although one piece is missing. Present dimensions 128.5cm x 116.5cm. Original dimensions approx. 1m x 0.9m x 14cm deep. Bears cast low-relief inscription: VIVENTI... COPI along one side. An arched relief rib is centrally positioned along 2 sides - comparable to examples from Nantwich and Northwich. 2 sides are pierced just below the arched ribs again like above examples. 1-1.5cm wide beading runs around the exterior lip of the pan. Also found in vicinity was a penannular brooch. The pin measures 87mm in length and the brooch is of 60mm diameter (1).

Found September 1993 c.50cm deep on farmland. Seven fragments found stacked in a pile. Low relief lead arc on 2 sides with a small hole probably used for suspension. Inside of base is heavily scored probably caused when removing pan scale. 2nd word of inscription may be [EP1] SCOPI meaning 'overseer' or 'bishop' - possibly suggesting the church was Church was involved in the salt industry in the 4th century (2).

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Penney S Salt Museum 1993 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

<2> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, Penney S, Shotter DCA, 1996 27/360-365 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<3> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Vol.76 2000-01 Penny S & Shotter D 'Further Inscribed Roman Salt Pans from Shavington Cheshire' (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.