From Rough Castle, Stirlingshire
A spade shoe is an iron rim which fitted onto a spade of wood. This example was found at the site of the Roman fort at Rough Castle in Stirlingshire. It was used sometime between 140 and 165 AD.
The spade shoe is corroded and imperfect, especially at its outer edge.
Spades were important agricultural tools, allowing drainage ditches to be dug as well as more obvious cultivation uses. The iron spade shoe allowed the spade to last longer and cut deeper.
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