|
Date: |
|
Description: | Small iron pin, possibly dating from the Roman period, i.e. c. AD43-410. The pin is bent, with a circular loop at the top. It has a square cross-section. The bottom end tapers to a point with two small ledges/grooves around the lower part of the pin. Originally the pin would have been straight and it is likely that it was part of a Roman bolt-shooting catapult, similar to find LANCUM-F01835 which was identified by Alan Wilkins, a specialised in Roman catapults/ballistas etc. It is possible that the grooves on the lower part have been caused by twisting the square pin in and out of the round hole in the catapult frame. Alan Wilkins* suggested that the pin recorded under LANCUM-F01835 belonged to a catapult similar to the Xanten-Waldt torsion bolt-shooting catapult. Roman torsion catapults had four washers which could be turned to add extra twist to the pair of rope springs. Pins of this type locked the washers in position and ensured that the catapult did not lose tension (see picture: a reproduction of the catapult).*Alan Wilkins read Classics at Cambridge University, specialising in ancient history and archaeology. He has published and field-tested updated reconstructions of the Roman army's catapults based on his revised versions of the Greek and Latin artillery texts and the latest archaeological finds of catapult parts.NB This entry is a preliminary entry only, while Alan and his colleagues are studying the pin. The entry will be updated as soon as I have more information.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
PIN
Small iron pin, possibly dating…
-
-
-
-
-
-
Bolt
Bolt, nut and washer
This…
-
-
-
BROOCH
Cast copper alloy crossbow brooch…
|