Steering oar

This wooden steering oar was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used on a riverboat along the River Tweed between 80 and 100 AD.

Near the top of the blade a square hole has been cut through the shaft, probably for a tiller pointing inwards, while at the bottom there was probably a similar hole, now broken away to form a notch, perhaps for a cord attached to the gunwale.

Boats were used in Scotland not only along the seacoasts, but also on inland rivers. The Romans built roads to transport men and materials, but also used the riverways, as this steering oar attests.

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Online ID:	000-100-037-291-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 1131
Date:	Between 80 and 100 AD
Material:
Dimensions:
What:	Oar, steering
Subject:
Who:	Newstead Collection
Where:	Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:	Steering oar from Newstead
References:	Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 313, Pl. LXIX, 5.
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