RecordMess can (detail)< 1 of 1 > Back From Newstead, Roxburghshire
Mess can (detail)This is a detail of a bronze mess can found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It has letters punched into the metal, showing that even ordinary soldiers were literate to some degree. The mess can was used between 80 and 180 AD. The mess can has the centurial mark and two letters formed by punched dots. A century was a military division. Each legion was divided into cohorts, each of which was composed of a century of 80 men. Many mass-produced articles in the Roman world were stamped or inscribed by the manufacturers to indicate the makers, contents, dates or ownership, suggesting basic literacy amongst a wide section of the Roman population. Record detailsTo search on related items, click any linked text below.
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