IMPRESSIVE BRONZE FISHING HOOK Roman period, c. 1st-3rd century AD. Large bronze hook with square cross section. Lenght: 86 mm. Weight: 29.37 g. Rare and intact. Interestingly, the shape of hooks in antiquity is almost identical to those of today. The shape is deliberately bent to one side so that large fish can bite into the bait without the hindrance given by the hook shank.