Shield boss

A shield boss forged from iron plate varying between 2mm and 3mm in thickness, and in general form resembles a copper-alloy example in the collection (A30) with a rounded bowl surrounded by a flange. The most obvious difference is that it is not circular, but ovoid. The flange is also proportionally narrower than on most other round Roman bosses and originally had eight fixing-holes, of which only seven now survive due to the loss of a length of the flange. Bosses with eight nail-holes are rare; four is the more usual number. The boss is otherwise complete, although the measurements given below are approximate due to irregularities of manufacture and corrosion. The iron boss has been dented, but this is unlikely to be due to combat and more probably occurred during burial.

The “boss” provided extra defence against missiles and protected the hand gripping the back of the shield. Circular bosses, such as this example, are found on oval shields carried by auxiliary troops. Auxiliary troops were specialist soldiers recruited from the provinces.