Pin (back, detail)

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This detail shows the back of a bone pin found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. The pin was used as a hairpin or dress pin between 80 and 100 AD.

The head of the pin is carved into the shape of a woman. This picture shows her high, elaborate hair style - which would have needed many hair pins to hold its shape.

Pins are found on a number of Roman sites in Britain, made of bone, bronze, silver or gold. Some were carved with heads portraying goddesses or spirits, while others appear to represent ordinary individuals.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-240-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 688
• Date: Between 80 and 100 AD
  
• Material: Bone; head in the form of a carved bust
  Hairpin
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Hairpin
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Bone hairpin with head in the form of a carved bust, from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Breeze, D.J., and Mackay, Ghillean. The Romans in Scotland. An introduction to the collections of the National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland. Edinburgh: National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, 1980, p 41. 
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 337, Pl. XCIII, 16. 
• Translations:
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