The swivel ring
The swivel ring is made from copper alloy. The term `alloy' means that a mixture of metals was used, and in this case the main one was copper.
The object was made in two parts, in a specially-prepared mould of stone or clay. Molten copper alloy was poured into the mould and allowed to solidify, to form the object. Any jagged edges left on the object would then have been filed down. Sometimes you can still see the file marks on objects made in this way.
Swivel rings were made in a range of sizes. Some were made of iron rather than copper alloy. All were used on the ends of metal chains to allow the object or animal on the end of the chain to move more freely.
For example, metal cooking pots were suspended above a fire using a chain and swivel ring. The swivel ring allowed the pot to be turned around while during cooking. Swivel rings were also used on chains used to tether animals (eg dogs and horses), so that they could turn around easily.
Because a swivel ring had a variety of uses, it can be called a multi-purpose object. Swivel rings would have been in everyday use in the castle.
Today, we might use a swivel ring at the end of a dog's lead, or to attach a bunch of keys to a belt.
When the object was removed from the ground during the dig, it had to be kept dry so that it would not corrode any further. For this reason it was kept inside an airtight box. Silica gel was put inside the box to keep the air inside it dry. Then, the object was carefully cleaned by a Conservator, in a laboratory. The picture below shows the swivel ring before and after cleaning. You may be able to see the decoration on the object now that it has been cleaned.
The swivel ring, shown before and after cleaning
How do you think a small object like this should be displayed?
How would you design a display case for it?
Do you think that swivel rings will still be needed in the future?