RomanArmyTalk
Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - Printable Version

+- RomanArmyTalk (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat)
+-- Forum: Research Arena (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Forum: Roman Military History & Archaeology (https://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Thread: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? (/showthread.php?tid=8499)



Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - Tarbicus - 02-22-2007

Don't ask me, but has anyone read this?

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/ab ... 06.00250.x


`ROMAN' OR `NATIVE' BODIES IN BRITAIN: THE EVIDENCE OF LATE ROMAN NAIL-CLEANER STRAP-ENDS

ECKARDT, H. CRUMMY, N.

OXFORD JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY
2006, VOL 25; NUMBER 1, pages 83-103


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - lisa - 02-22-2007

I saw Dr. Eckardt present this paper a few years ago at the Roman Archaeology Conference. The article, and their argument, have more to do with the regionality of a certain type of "strap-ends" that are slightly forked at the end. The authors make a leap to say that is is possible that strap ends of this form may be related to nail cleaners, as they are similar in shape, but not in attachment type. They don't really emphasize or insist on the idea that much, though--they're mostly interested in this article, as I said, in the regional distribution and the questions of identity that come up with their use and distribution.

Their argument about the possible overlap in function of these strap-ends with nail-cleaners is more thoroughly dealt with in their 2003 article "Regional identities and technologies of the self: nail-cleaners in Roman Britain" The Archaeological Journal 160: 44-69. But, IMHO, it's not as convincing an idea as that of this style of strap-end being exclusively British.


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - A_Volpe - 02-23-2007

Interesting...By the way...How did Romans cut thier nails? Or did they cut them at all? Or use an emory board or nailfile or something?


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - aitor iriarte - 02-23-2007

Nail cleaners!! Confusedhock: Confusedhock:
Vade retro, Satan!! :evil:

Aitor


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - Tarbicus - 02-23-2007

Quote:Nail cleaners!! Confusedhock: Confusedhock:
Vade retro, Satan!! :evil:

What would be so bad about that, Aitor? Big Grin

I thought there were no sacred cows in this field? :wink:


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - aitor iriarte - 02-23-2007

No sacred cows indeed, Jim :wink:
The problem is that they could have said, for instance, that the pugio was an over-sized tooth-pick! Who could deny that the pugio could be used secondarily as a tooth-pick ? :twisted:
We ignore more than we know about many aspects of Roman life but I don't think that trying to fill them with pure speculation is the most constructive way of working! :roll:

Aitor


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - lisa - 02-23-2007

Quote:Interesting...By the way...How did Romans cut their nails? Or did they cut them at all? Or use an emory board or nailfile or something?

It is thought they used the thing we call a nail cleaner to trim and clean their nails--the function is deduced from their connection to other objects (tweezers, small spoons thought to be 'ear scoops') that advocate for a personal grooming function. The 'nail-cleaners' resemble the strap-ends to some extent, and a little speculation never hurt any one.

The only article I can think of that talks about all types of these little grooming tools is
J.D. Hill, 1997, "The end of one kind of body and the beginning of another kind of body? Toilet instruments and 'Romanisation' in southern England in the first century A.D." in A. Gwilt and C. Haselgrove, eds., Reconstructing Iron Age Societies: 96-107.


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - Primvs Pavlvs - 02-23-2007

Quote:Interesting...By the way...How did Romans cut thier nails? Or did they cut them at all? Or use an emory board or nailfile or something?

I would assume with scissors, or a sharp knife.


Re: Strap ends used as nail cleaners? - Crispvs - 02-23-2007

"Who could deny that the pugio could be used secondarily as a tooth-pick ? "

I would. 8)


Crispvs