Quern (2 of 8)

Add to album

Querns are stone handmills used mostly for grinding cereals. This picture shows the side of the upper stone of a rotary quern found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The side of the upper stone is decorated with chiselled lines. The iron handle which protrudes from the side is visible at the bottom of the picture.

Stones used for querns were carefully chosen and sometimes imported over large distances. A hard stone was necessary, since the action of grinding wore down the stone. The Romans imported their stones from the Rhineland.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-002-277-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1641
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Niedermendig lava
  Quern, rotary
  
• Dimensions: 4.50" H x 16.50" D x 5.50"
  
• What: Quern, rotary
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Roman hand-driven rotary quern made of Niedermendig lava, from Newstead
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: