Caltrop

Object/Artifact

-

Trimontium Museum

Image © National Museums Scotland

Image © National Museums Scotland

Name/Title

Caltrop

Entry/Object ID

X.FRA 224

Description

Caltrop of iron, small, from the Roman site at Newstead (Trimontium), 80 - 180 AD

Use

Caltrops are weapons made up of two or more sharp metal objects (such as spikes or nails) and twisted in a way that one of them always points up. These are used to stop and disable vehicles.

Context

Trimontium was a Roman military fort, so artefacts relating to warfare and the military is a common find. When the Romans abandoned Trimontium, all of the weaponry and armour were deliberately buried.

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Category

Military Equipment & Weaponry

Acquisition

Accession

X.FRA 224

Source (if not Accessioned)

National Museums of Scotland

Made/Created

Time Period

1st - 2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Romano British

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Caltrop

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Armament Accessories

Nomenclature Class

Armaments

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Getty AAT

Concept

caltrops

Material

Iron

Color

Black, Brown

Web Links and URLs

National Museums Scotland web link to object , Canmore web link to Newstead (Trimontium)