From Ashgrove Loch, Stevenston, Ayrshire and Newstead, Roxburghshire and Keiss Harbour Broch, Caithness

Shears

These iron shears were found on a crannog in Ashgrove Loch at Stevenston in Ayrshire, at the Roman fort of Newstead in Roxburghshire, and at Keiss Harbour Broch in Caithness. They were used to shear the wool from sheep.

All the shears are incomplete, but enough survives to determine their forms. Despite the difference in dates - the one on the left dates from the 12th or 13th century, the two on the right from the first two centuries AD - the forms are very similar.

The use of sheep for their wool began between 2500 and 2000 BC. At first the wool was plucked or the shed bits collected. Shears were introduced to clip the coats of improved breeds. The forms of shears changed little over the years.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-004-201-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.HT 137
Date:	Between 0 and 200 AD; 12th or 13th century
Material:	Iron Iron Iron
Dimensions:	6.13" L
What:
Subject:
Who:	Newstead Collection Newstead Collection
Where:	Scotland, Ayrshire, Stevenston, Ashgrove Loch Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:	Iron shears from Newstead Iron shears from Newstead Pair of iron shears from Ashgrove Loch, Stevenston, Ayrshire
References:	Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, p. 291, Pl. LXVIII, 5.
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