Description
Book SynopsisExcavated from Traprain Law, East Lothian, Scotland, in May 1919, was one of the most spectacular discoveries of Roman silver ever made in Europe - and the biggest hoard of `hacksilver': 23kg, battered, crushed and chopped up. Blame for the destruction has hitherto been laid at the door of `barbarians' but this study changes that view. An international team of scholars has reviewed the hoard's origins and manufacture, its use as elite tableware, its hacking and later reuse. A century of new discoveries and ideas allow fresh conclusions, especially about the hacking. With wide-ranging parallels from across Europe, the authors argue that hacking was a deliberate Roman policy to create bullion at times of economic crisis, turning valued vessels into weights of silver to be used in frontier politics, to pay off groups from beyond the empire, or hire them as mercenaries.
Trade Review'Traprain Law is one of Scotland's iconic sites. it has not, however, always been treated as befits its status by archaeologists. This book redresses the balance. It is a sumptuous and thoroughly academic account of the Traprain treasure by the leading authorities in the field. ... ' Archaeology Scotland
Table of ContentsForeword by Dr Christopher Breward, National Museums Scotland
Acknowledgements
Introduction
List of contributors
THE LATE ROMAN SILVER TREASURE FROM TRAPRAIN LAW
Part I: The treasure since its discovery
Part II: The components of the hoard
Tableware: eating vessels
Tableware: drinking vessels
Toilet vessels and implements
Furniture and fittings
Vessels: varia
Personal objects and non-plate items
Coins
Part III:
The silver as objects
The silver as Hacksilber
Roman Hacksilber beyond the frontier and its legacy
Conclusions
Appendices
Part IV: Catalogue of the Traprain Law Treasure
Introduction
Platters, dishes and bowls
Other eating and serving implements
Drinking equipment
Toilet and bathing equipment
Toilet and bathing equipment
Furniture and fittings
Other
Bibliography
Index
