Brooch

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This bronze brooch, also known as a fibula, was found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was probably imported from the Rhineland between 140 and 180 AD.

The brooch is of a type known as a knee brooch (due to its shape which resembles a bent knee and lower leg), a type popular on the continent, especially in the 3rd century.

The Roman army obtained supplies from three zones: locally, within the Roman province of Britannia, or further afield in the Roman empire. Knee brooches were imported into Britain, particularly the north, from the later second century.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-198-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 783
• Date: Between 140 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Rectangular bow and spring case
  Brooch, knee
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Brooch, knee
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Knee brooch with rectangular bow and spring case, found at Newstead, imported from the Rhineland
  
• References:
  • Curle, James. A Roman frontier post and its people: the Fort of Newstead in the parish of Melrose. Glasgow: Maclehose & Sons, 1911
• Translations:
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