Ancient Roman nails, discovered at a fort in Perthshire dating back to the first century AD, are going up for auction,estimated at approximately £300-£1,000.
These nails are called ‘clout’ nails. They date way back to the first century AD. Roman soldiers left them behind. The 20th Legion used these.
They marched into Caledonia. Governor Agricola led them. Experts think the nails are worth £300-£400. They might sell for £1,000 at auction.
The nails were at Inchtuthill fort. About 875,000 nails were hidden there. Romans withdrew around 86 AD because tribes attacked Rome in Eastern Europe. So, Rome consolidated its legions.
Sir Ian Richmond dug up the site in 1957. He found the buried nail stash. They hid the nails from the Caledonians. Some nails were really big, about 372 mm. Nails like that were used for crucifixions.
Timeline Auctions is selling them now. Aaron Hammond works there. He says the 20th Legion made them and built the fort at Inchtuthil.
The nails show Roman presence there. Romans fought against Caledonian tribes. These nails came from a huge supply. Rome planned to build much more, but the attack in Europe changed things.
The legion had to leave Scotland. Hammond thinks Scottish history could be different. A handful of nails tell a big story.