This crucible is dated to the Roman period and is likely a thumb pot – hand constructed rather than wheel thrown. It is very probably a product of the New Forest industry and the semi-pedestal base may suggest that it dates to the early 1st-2nd centuries AD.

Charcoal impressions on the base confirm that it was placed on a charcoal bed within a casting hearth, although the absence of an in-situ hearth, vitrified lining from an above ground hearth, mould fragments and copper alloy waste in area may suggest that melting did not take place in the immediate vicinity.

The outside is heavily vitrified and it is likely that a layer of clay was applied to the surface to protect the crucible fabric from heat exposure.

This layer is now heavily vitrified but is visible in the break surface of the broken rim. Using a sacrificial layer of clay was a common practice in Roman crucibles, prolonging the life of the item.

Tints of purple, green, and red seen in the vitrified layer suggests that copper was melted in this crucible, however the additional presence of copper in even silver and gold means that this alone cannot be used to identify the metals being melted. No residues were identified within the crucible.