Grinding Bowl

This sandstone grinding bowl, also known as a mortarium, was found at the site of the Roman fort at Camelon in Stirlingshire. It dates from between 80 and 165 AD.

The grinding bowl has an inscription which reads '...TITI', interpreted as '(Property) of the century of Titus'. A century was a military division. Each legion was divided into cohorts, each of which was composed of a century of 80 men.

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.

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