Bar Hill Pila

[Ross Cowan]

I've long been curious about the pilum heads from Bar Hill on the Antonine Wall. They always struck me as rather hefty (compare this rather finer example from Newstead) and I wondered if they might be something else entirely. However, I am assured by M.C. Bishop's informative new book, The Pilum: The Roman Heavy Javelin,* that they are pila: "all appear to have fractured just below the head. Some have turned-over tips, suggesting they struck a hard surface when thrown. They may have broken off on impact and ...may conceivably have been awaiting fire-welding back onto a shank." Dr Bishop also notes that the same type of pilum is depicted of the famous relief from the neighbouring fort at Croy Hill.

* A worthy companion to The Gladius.