Boldon, supposed Roman knife

HER Number:
971

District:
S Tyneside

Site Name:
Boldon, supposed Roman knife

Place:
Boldon

Map Sheet:
NZ36SE

Class:
Tools and Equipment

Site Type: Broad:
Cutting Equipment

Site Type: Specific:
Knife

General Period:
Unknown

Specific Period:

Form of Evidence:
Find

Description:
In 1897 Canon Savage reported to the Society of Antiquaries the discovery of an iron knife, 8 feet below the surface, during the digging of a main drain in the Don valley south of the branch line which connects the colliery (Boldon) with the Sunderland to Newcastle railway line. This suggests that the Ordnance Survey record is incorrect. "It has a somewhat tapering blade, edged on one side only, 5.25 inches long, and 1 inch broad where it is set into the handle. The handle, which is 4.5 inches long is of bone, and is stained a deepish blue colour next the blade, the iron holder of the blade passes through the bone handle". "The blade has been rivetted at the bottom of the handle, not tanged". When it was exhibited it was described as having a deer-horn handle, and "a very Roman look". The Roman date must be considered doubtful, however.

Easting:
35

Northing:
62

Grid Reference:
NZ3562

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 971 >> Canon Savage, 1899, Discoveries near Boldon,Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, VIII (for 1897-98), pp. 7, 18 J.A. Petch, 1925, Roman Durham, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, I,p. 33