Roman

Dolabra (Roman Axe), Dumfries

Period:

Roman Period

Description:

Iron pick axe or dolabrum, from the foundations of Greyfriars Church, near the Roman road through Dumfries. The axe was used for breaking up ground when ditch digging or clearing scrub. It may also have been used for fighting. The cutting edge was protected by a small bronze sheath with hooks at either end so that it could be slung on a soldiers' belt.

 

 

Materials/Media:

metal & iron

Dimensions:

width (blades) & overall: 500 mm width (adze blade) & tip: 31 mm width (axe blade) & tip: 45 mm

Source:

Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura

Accession number:

DUMFM:1936.64

Digital Number:

RPD0182

References:

WILSON, Allan "Roman And Native In Dumfriesshire" Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. Third series, Volume 77, 2003. pp 103 = 160. [page 146 and Figure 11]