Scythe blade

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This iron scythe blade was one of four found together at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. This type of scythe was introduced to Britain by the Romans, and used at the fort between 80 and 100 AD.

An anchor-shaped rivet fastened the blade to its single long handle.

The Roman army needed crops and animals to support itself. It brought some new agricultural techniques and tools into Scotland, such as the scythe which was used to gather fodder for cavalry horses, but these were not adopted by native people.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-954-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 288
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron
  Scythe
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Scythe
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron scythe from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Breeze, D.J., and Mackay, Ghillean. 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 57. 
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