Part of Roman Paterae hoard found at Bishop Middleham

During the period 4th of October to 11th of October 1997 the fragmentary remains of four Roman cast copper alloy pans were recovered from a field to the south of Bishop Middleham. They were taken to the Old Fulling Mill Museum in Durham and were appraised at the conservation labs. Although in poor condition and in several fragments the surviving parts of the skillets show a high class of workmanship with at least one handle being inscribed and decorated. Although made from copper alloy the pans were "tinned" giving them the appearance of silver. From their condition and size it is likely that the four pans were stacked one inside the other and were probably for religious use rather than cooking.