HELP equipment - Centurions VITIS part ??

[Luka Bruketa]

Fellow brothers!

I am in need of your help!

Recently, I got a question about a certain find which is thought to be a BUTT from CENTURION's VITIS. I have not been able to find anything similar to confirm this so far and therefore, if anyone has any experience or reference, I'd be glad if you could help me out.

If it is something else, please do tell

Here is some info about the object:

1) It's copper alloy
2) Dimensions - 4 cm length; 1 cm diameter
3) It was found on a legionary fort site


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[PhilusEstilius]

The only thing that comes to mind it may be from the bottom end of a pilum but nothing to do with a vitus I would think.

[Luka Bruketa]

It has crossed my mind also, but does the diameter of 1 cm fit with the width of the pilum shaft?

[PhilusEstilius]

That is a valid point on its size but I would not think anything to do with a vitus for why would one need such a thing.

[jvrjenivs]

It has crossed my mind also, but does the diameter of 1 cm fit with the width of the pilum shaft?

Maybe a iacula is more appropriate for that diameter. Interestingly, quite a bunch of similar sized finds (also many with 'rounded off points') have been reported from the Netherlands (see 'Gered uit de grond' by Peter Bakker en Jan Willem Bron (red.)

[Luka Bruketa]

@PhilusEstilius I can not find the reference right now (maybe Bishop&Coulston or D'Amato...), but I am positive there is a mentioning of the possibility of vitis having a butt at the ending.

@jvrjenivs That is very interesting, because the find comes from the assumed campus of the fort.

Thanks for the answers so far!