from Newstead, Roxburghshire

Mess cans and grid iron

These bronze mess cans and the iron grid iron were found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. They are examples of the cooking equipment of the ordinary Roman soldier, and were used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The well-preserved grid iron, similar to modern examples, has sides and legs each made from a single strip of iron. The mess cans all show signs of use, and many have been patched. Only traces remain of the iron handles. Some have names inscribed on them.

It does not appear that the Roman forts had large mess halls. Instead cooking was probably organised in groups based on a barrack block or even a barrack room.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-037-356-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 1191
Date:	Between 80 and 180 AD
Material:	Bronze Bronze; bearing punctured inscription with the centurial mark Bronze; everted rim; punctured inscription Bronze; punctured inscription 'Lucani' cut twice upon bottom Bronze; with attached iron handle Iron Portion of iron collar attached Straight-sided; everted rim
Dimensions:	110 mm H x 155 mm Dia (max) 125 mm H x 180 mm Dia (max) 130 mm H x 170 mm Dia (max) 145 mm H x 180 mm Dia (max) 210 mm H x 230 mm Dia (max) 240 mm H x 300 mm Dia (max)
What:	Gridiron Kettle, camp Kettle, camp Kettle, camp Kettle, camp Kettle, camp Kettle, camp Kettle, camp
Subject:
Who:	Newstead Collection Newstead Collection Newstead Collection Newstead Collection Newstead Collection Newstead Collection Newstead Collection Newstead Collection
Where:	Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:	Gridiron from Newstead Camp kettle with portion of iron collar attached, from Newstead Bronze camp kettle bearing punctured inscription with the centurial mark, from Newstead Bronze camp kettle from Newstead Straight-sided camp kettle with everted rim, from Newstead Bronze camp kettle with attached iron handle, from Newstead Bronze camp kettle with punctured inscription 'Lucani' cut twice upon bottom, from Newstead Bronze camp kettle with everted rim and punctured inscription 'turma Crispi Nigri', from Newstead
References:	Clarke, D.V., Breeze, D.J., and Mackay, G. 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. 43.
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