Mess cans and grid iron

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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: 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
  Gridiron
  Kettle, camp
  Kettle, camp
  Kettle, camp
  Kettle, camp
  Kettle, camp
  Kettle, camp
  Kettle, camp
  
• 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. 
• Translations:
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