Late Roman Hunting Javelin (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford)

This remarkable piece, part of the Ashmolean Museum's collection in Oxford, is a finely crafted javelin from the late Roman period. At just 12.4 cm in total length, this small but formidable spear was likely used for hunting purposes rather than warfare, given its discovery at a civilian site.

Key Features:

• Size: Compact, 12.4 cm in length, ideal for close-quarters or precision hunting.
• Material: Forged from high-quality spring steel, known for its resilience and flexibility. The steel has been hardened, ground, and polished to a mirror-like finish.
• Craftsmanship: The javelin exhibits meticulous craftsmanship, embodying the technological expertise of the time. Its sleek form and small size suggest it was optimized for lightweight handling, perhaps by hunters seeking agility and precision.
• Mounting: The spearhead is mounted on a long ashwood shaft, known for its strength and elasticity, making it perfect for lightweight spears requiring accurate throws.

While small in stature, this hunting javelin represents the everyday tools used by Romans in civilian life, providing a fascinating glimpse into the multifaceted role of spears during the Roman era.

Roman Barbed Javelin (Carvoran, Hadrian's Wall)

Discovered at the ancient Roman fort at Carvoran, located on Hadrian's Wall, this larger, more formidable javelin stands as a testament to Roman military engineering. At 61 cm in length, it was likely used in skirmishes and combat rather than civilian hunting, with its barbed design adding to its effectiveness.

Key Features:

• Size: Measuring 61 cm, this javelin is substantially larger than typical spears, making it ideal for military use.
• Material: Like the hunting spear, this javelin is hand-forged from durable spring steel, ensuring both flexibility and strength during combat.
• Barbed Design: Its defining feature is the forge-welded barbs, which not only increase the damage potential but also made it more difficult to remove from wounds, thus incapacitating foes more effectively.
• Mounting: The barbed spearhead is mounted on a long, straight ashwood shaft, chosen for its balance and durability. Ash, a favored material for weapon shafts, provided Roman soldiers with dependable equipment that could withstand the rigors of combat.

This spear, with its intimidating barbed design and robust construction, would have been a fearsome weapon in the hands of Roman soldiers, protecting the empire's borders along the fortified line of Hadrian's Wall.

Craftsmanship & Materials

Both javelins showcase the Roman mastery of metalwork and woodworking:

• Spring Steel: Known for its high tensile strength, spring steel was chosen for its flexibility and ability to retain its form after heavy use. Each spearhead is painstakingly hand-forged, a process that involves heating the metal and shaping it with hammer and anvil.
• Ash Shafts: The long shafts, crafted from ashwood, provide the perfect balance of strength and lightness. This wood was highly valued by the Romans for its ability to withstand impact while remaining flexible enough for repeated use.