Pole butt

This iron butt for a pole was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It fitted over the end of the pole to protect and strengthen it. It was used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The iron butt is pointed at one end. It is split and fragmentary at the top, but preserves a large rivet hole where it would have attached to the wooden pole.

Iron was widely used by the Romans for tools, weapons and fittings. Iron could not be melted and cast in the furnaces available to the Romans. Instead it was worked by heating it and hammering it into shape.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-001-416-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.FRA 3469
Date:	Between 80 and 180 AD
Material:	Iron
Dimensions:	1.40"
What:	Hook / portion
Subject:
Who:	J. Curle (Excavator)
Where:	Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:	Portion of iron hook from Newstead, Roxburghshire
References:	Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p 280, Pl. LVIII, 6.
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