Brooch and javelin head (pieces)

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These pieces of a brass brooch and iron javelin head were found at Merlsford in Fife, probably from a burial. They are Roman objects found on a native site, probably passed as gifts from one native chief to another. They were made between 30 BC and 100 AD.

The brooch is of a type known as a Langton Down brooch. It is a Continental type, generally dating before the Roman occupation of Scotland. The javelin, or light throwing spear, was part of the equipment of a Roman auxiliary soldier.

Powerful local chieftains controlled contact with the Romans, keeping most of the Roman objects and passing some onto their followers.

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-067-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FG 1
• Date: 30 BC - 60 AD
  Date of brooch: between 30 BC and 60 AD; date of javelin head: between
  
• Material: Bronze; imperfect
  Iron; imperfect
  Fibula / brooch, Langton Down-type
  Javelin head
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Fibula / brooch, Langton Down-type
  Javelin head
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Merlsford
  Scotland, Fife, Merlsford
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron javelin head from Merlsford, Fife
  Langton Down-type brooch of bronze, from Merlsford, Fife, 30 BC - 60 AD
  
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