Catapult bolt

This iron bolt for a catapult was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was fired from a small catapult similar to a cross-bow. It dates from between 80 and 180 AD.

The bolt has a rivet in the socket, which would have fastened it to the wooden shaft.

Catapults were used to sling objects, especially sharp metal bolts, quickly and forcefully over long distances. They were made in various sizes and forms, the larger ones of wood and ropes, with metal parts to bind them together.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-036-877-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.FRA 201
Date:	Between 80 and 180 AD
Material:	Iron, bolt-shaped, socketed, rivet in socket
Dimensions:	3.25" long
What:	Arrowhead
Subject:
Who:	Newstead Collection
Where:	Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:	Arrowhead
References:	Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, Pl. XXXVII, 18.
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