from Newstead, Roxburghshire
This iron gouge was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used by a carpenter at the fort sometime between 80 and 100 AD.
The gouge has a socket which would have fitted into a wooden handle. The cutting edge is unusually flat.
The Romans valued wood highly. They had specialist carpenters, with their own workshops equipped with a wide variety of highly specialised tools. New forts required wooden gates and houses, internal fittings, containers and utensils.
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