Sickle

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This iron sickle was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used sometime between 140 and 180 AD.

The end of the tang was turned over to allow it to be fastened to the handle.

Sickles were used from an early time to cut crops at harvest time. They were also used to gather plant fibres for textile production, with the exception of flax which was harvested by hand.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-947-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 281
• Date: Between 140 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron; with tang turned over
  
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron sickle from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, pp 283-4, Pl. LXI, 2. 
• Translations:
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