Plumbata

[Vindex]

Hi Vindex,

Plumbatae heads are either shafted or socketed. Yes, it's firmly inserted over or in the shaft, but the real means or securing it is the lead weight, which is poored over the junction.

The nail (still showing in the attached image) was a mistake - either way it's never been noticed on any of the 120+ plumbatae that I now know of.

Chesters - I was tipped that there were plumbatae there, but the museum denied it. Could you (or anyone in the neighbourhood) perhaps take pictures for me?
If you are interested in articles (Bennet, Eagle, Rebus Bellicis), PM me your email address.

Well...it is only the head of the plumbata as far as I can see and no lead weight and no shaft, but the sections are very like those you have added in the illustration above. I will try and go back tomorrow as I am due to go to Corbridge museum in the afternoon, but the photo I took of the section is too poor to show anything. They are classed as arrow heads in the museum guide which they certainly don't look like to me - but It wouldn't be the first time I am a victim to wishful thinking LOL!

Brennivs has very kindly sent me copies of articles etc - including Julian Bennet's article in JRMES, but I will PM you just in case you have something I don;t already have if that's ok.

Slightly off topic (and I will do a search on here) has the South Shields (Arbeia) mail shirt been discussed anywhere - found in 1997 and in pride of place in the museum?