Harness junction

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This bronze harness junction, sometimes called a phalera, was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used on a horse harness sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The harness junction is a boss with a boy's face wearing a cap. It is damaged around the edges.

Excavations at Newstead have revealed much about the layout and daily life in Roman camps in Scotland. Some of the finer harness equipment, such as this one, was probably used in tournaments or ceremonies rather than fighting.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-077-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 523
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Bronze
  Phalera
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Phalera
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze phalera with human face, from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, Pl. LXXVII, 11. 
• Translations:
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