Piece of a tile

Add to album

This piece of a tile was found at the site of the Roman fort at Camelon in Stirlingshire. It is from a box flue tile, used in buildings to allow hot air to circulate within them. The tile dates from between 80 and 165 AD.

The red earthenware tile is fragmentary, and now broken in two. The tile has an incomplete inscription 'Messivs Sevirv...', which has been translated as the name 'Messius Sevirus'.

Brought to Scotland by the Romans, writing was a vital part of the bureaucracy generated by the army. Many Roman soldiers could read and write to some extent, and marked their names on their belongings.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-100-037-735-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FX 319
• Date: Between 80 and 165 AD
  
• Material: Earthenware, red; with incised inscription. Inscription: Nessius
  Tile, box flue / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Tile, box flue / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Falkirk, Camelon
  
• Event:
• Description: Part of a large box flue tile with incised inscription 'Nessius', from Camelon
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: