Plumbata

[Robert Vermaat]

Thanks!

So far, the number of plumbatae from the western provinces is lagging behind. The Balkan (of course?) sees new find after new find (though unfortunately through internet sales). This is normal since the Balkan is where the plumbata seems to originate as a military object, and where it may have been used well into Byzantine times. I know 47 locations in the Eastern part of the Empire, to which can be added 15 ‘unsure’ ones.

I would expect far fewer finds from the western provinces, even though troop rotations would mean the use of the plumbata with Eastern units possible in the West too. So far, none have turned in Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal or Spain. I know 4 from Germany (though that number may grow), 7 from France, 1 from western Italy, 3 from western Austria, 3 from Switzerland, 1 from Liechtenstein.

But 26 from Britain – and that’s the big surprise. So far, the highest number for a country, for a diocese even.