Details

COLEM:1988.4.347

Colchester Collections

A fragmentary copper alloy and iron shield boss. The core of the object is iron which is overlayed with decorated copper alloy sheet. A central, copper alloy boss is added, which has incised lines decorating the lip, where it is attached to the convex boss. The edges of the boss are missing, but the raised' convex part is circular. The edge of the boss could have been circular or squared and would have had the attachment holes for the shield. The boss was attached to wooden shields at the centre, providing protection for the hand as well as extra defence. Circular bosses are usually found on oval shields, which were carried by auxiliary troops (soldiers recruited from the provinces who were not Roman citizens). This shield boss was found in the so called 'warrior's grave' from Colchester.

Roman, 1st Century

metal, metal

height: 48.00 mm
width: 87.00 mm