Ericstane
Findspot (18th Century), Brooch (Gold)(Roman)
Site Name Ericstane
Classification Findspot (18th Century), Brooch (Gold)(Roman)
Alternative Name(s) Erickstanebrae; Eriscstone Brae; Erricstonebrae; Ericstone Hill; Ericstonebrae
Canmore ID 48485
Site Number NT01SE 10
NGR NT 06 11
NGR Description NT c. 06 11
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/48485
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Moffat
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
NT01SE 10 c. 06 11
While digging peats at Erricstonebrae 'a few days ago' near the Roman Road, half a gorget or breastplate of a Roman commander was found. It is more than an ounce in weight and appears to be one half of a ring about 3/4"broad and 3" wide with a thin border on both sides about 1" in breadth and meeting outwards in the borders are the letters, the interstices being cut out; IO VI AVG, on one side and VOT XX on the other.
Gents Mag. Lib R B Rems 1787
Erickstanebrae is described as a hill (1566 ft.) contiguous to the meeting-point of Dumfries, Peebles and Lanark shires, overhanging the high road from Dumfries to Edinburgh at a point 5 miles NNW of Moffat, and terminating at the road's side in the Annandale's Beef Stand (Devil's Beef Tub).
Ordnance Gazetteer.
Prof. Haverfield (Haverfield 1893) described it as a gold fibula with a semicircular bow. The bow is in section a triangle of which the sides are cut into patterns, and bear in pierced work the letters as above which he expands to OVI AUG (usto)VOT (is) XX. The third side, the under side, is plain, and has scratched on it PORTO. the notes that 'the Vicennalia are mentioned on several coins of Diocletian, whose title Jovius is well known. Similar vota are mentioned on 4th Cent. inscriptions.' Sir Arthur Evans agrees that the inscription refer to the Vicennalia of Diocletian celebrated on 20th November A.D. 303, and suggests that it may have formed part of the insignia sent to Constantius Chborus in Gaul, and that its loss may have been connected with his Caledonian expedition in A.D. 306.
J Curle 1932
This brooch is now in Los Angeles Museum. A reproduction is silver gilt of this brooch found in 1787 is now in the National Museum of Antiquities.
PSAS 1953
(NMS FT 96). Erickstonebrae. Reproduction in silver gilt (length 3.7") of the gold brooch bearing open-work lettering IOVI AVG and VOT XX (on the underside scratched PORTO); found in 1787 in peat at Erickstanebrae, Moffat, Dumfriesshire.
Information from NMS (archaeology continuation catalogue), 30 March 1990.
Note (1997)
NT c. 06 11 NT01SE 10
Ericstonebrae. Listed as gold brooch.
RCAHMS 1997.
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