Grinding bowl

Add to album

This ceramic grinding bowl, of a type known as a mortarium, was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used in the preparation of food between 140 and 180 AD.

The grinding bowl has been stamped with the manufacturer's name: 'Brvsc'. It has been reconstructed.

Many mass-produced articles in the Roman world were stamped or inscribed to indicate the makers, contents, dates or ownership, which suggests basic literacy amongst a wide section of the Roman population.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-037-437-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1428
• Date: Between 140 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Ceramic, buff, soft; stamped; reconstructed
  Pottery / mortarium
  
• Dimensions: 12.50" D
  
• What: Pottery / mortarium
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Reconstructed mortarium of soft buff ware, stamped to indicate manufacturer, from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, James. A Roman frontier post and its people: the Fort of Newstead in the parish of Melrose. Glasgow: Maclehose & Sons, 1911
• Translations:
• Related Records: