The small Roman copper alloy figurine you describe is a significant historical artifact that provides insights into the cultural interactions and practices of the Roman period. This figurine features Celtic facial features and hairstyle, suggesting a blend of Roman and Celtic influences in its design.
It was discovered near Fullerton, Wervell, Hampshire, likely through the use of a metal detector. The figurine portrays a bound and tethered captive, which may indeed be connected to the slave trade practices of the time. The perforation on the object indicates that it could have been used for hanging, possibly as an ornament or pendant.
The figurine is believed to date from the second or third century AD, during the Roman period. This period was marked by extensive trade, interaction, and cultural exchange among various regions and peoples under Roman influence. The presence of Celtic features on the figurine suggests that it may have been produced in a region with a Celtic heritage but under Roman rule or influence.
Such artifacts provide valuable historical and archaeological evidence of the complex dynamics and social structures of the Roman world, including aspects of daily life, trade, and cultural blending.