Hoop tongs

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These hoop tongs were found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. They were used by a blacksmith between 80 and 100 AD.

The tongs' pincers project at right angles to the main body of the tool. This design suggests that they were used for making and attaching the iron tyres which run round the circumference of wooden spoked wheels.

The Roman army needed blacksmiths to make iron tyres, fittings, and nails, as well as to repair weapons. A number of objects used in the smiddy have been found in the Roman forts. Tongs such as this one were used in later times by American pioneers.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-960-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 298
• Date: Between 80 and 100 AD
  
• Material: Iron
  Tongs, smith's
  
• Dimensions: 18.00" L
  
• What: Tongs, smith's
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Smith's iron tongs 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 60. 
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