Armour (fragments)

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These fragments of iron armour with bronze mounts were found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. They are part of the plate armour known as lorica segmentata, worn by a legionary soldier sometime between 140 and 180 AD.

Over 40 pieces were found in a well in the headquarters building at Newstead. A number of the overlapping plates were preserved.

Armour made of overlapping plates was designed to move with the body. It also had the advantage that it was easy to repair from spare pieces.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-239-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 117
• Date: Between 140 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron
  Lorica segmentata
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Lorica segmentata
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Lorica segmentata from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J. C. Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome. London: Batsford, 1993 pp 116-7 
  • Curle, J. A Roman Frontier Post and its People: The Fort of Newstead in the Parish of Montrose. Glasgow: J Maclehose & Sons, 1911 pp 155-8, pl XXII. 
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