Shaft base

This iron box-like shaft base, probably from a throwing spear, was found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It would have formed part of the equipment of a legionary soldier, used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

Iron base of a pilum shaft, from Newstead

There were two classes of Roman soldiers: the elite legionary and the ordinary auxiliary soldier, each with its own type of equipment. Legionary throwing spears, also known as pila, were designed to bend when hitting the enemies' shields.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-037-023-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 448
Date:	Between 80 and 180 AD
Material:	Iron; box-like
Dimensions:
What:	Pilum shaft base
Subject:
Who:	Newstead Collection
Where:	Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:
References:	Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 288, Pl. LXVI, 5.
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