Tongs

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These iron tongs were found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. They were used to move the hot iron from the forge to the anvil and hold it while it was hammered. Similar tongs are still used by modern blacksmiths.

These tongs have been designed for left-hand use, so the hammer could be held in the right hand.

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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-961-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 299
• Date: Between 80 and 100 AD
  
• Material: Iron; made for a left-handed man
  Tongs, smith's
  
• Dimensions: 16.00" 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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