Pickaxe, pioneer's
Image © National Museums Scotland
Name/Title
Pickaxe, pioneer'sEntry/Object ID
X.FRA 228Description
Pioneer's pickaxe or dolabra of iron, from Trimontium. AD80-100. It has a broad blade at one end, narrowing to a curved pick at the other end. It has a central hold for the shaft.Use
It was used for digging trenches and cutting timber for temporary camps when out on campaign. It was also used for breaking ground and building Trimontium. Roman soldiers were builders as well as fighters. On the march, they built temporary ramparts and ditches around their camps. Once an area had been conquered, the army built forts and permanent barracks of wood or stone. - (description from Scran-NMS)Context
Numerous pickaxes were found at Trimontium. This one was found in Pit XVI with three others.Collection
National Museums ScotlandCategory
Axe
Tools
Acquisition
Accession
X.FRA 228Source (if not Accessioned)
National Museums ScotlandMade/Created
Date made
80 - 100Time Period
1st - 2nd centuryEthnography
Cultural Region
Continent
EuropeCulture/Tribe
Roman, Romano British