Signal horn (c.1350-1400)

This horn was found in 1971 during excavations at Nieuwburg Castle in Alkmaar. It lay among demolition rubble in the fill of a chute leading to the moat. It dates from around 1350–1400. The cast bronze horn has a conical tube with a mouthpiece and ends in a wide bell with three ornamental rings. Just off the middle are more ornamental rings with a suspension loop. A deed from 1353/1354 records the purchase of "enen metalen horne" ("a metal horn") from master Jan die Potthegieter for the Nieuwburg. This is the oldest known record of the purchase of a signal horn in this region. As far as we know, there is no comparable signal horn anywhere in Europe, which makes this one truly exceptional. Collection of the Municipality of Alkmaar. *Model by Archeologiemuseum Huis van Hilde (Kees Zwaan).*  *Record of the signal horn purchase 1353-1354*