Collection object "MAS.790" • Iron spade or mattock-blade.

Title

Iron spade or mattock-blade.

Date

100 BCE

Find site

Dunhuang Limes

Measurement

height 14.8 centimetres, width 13.5 centimetres

Material

iron

Language / script

not applicable

Description

Scope and content : T. XV. 0010. Spade or mattock-blade of welded iron; shape almost sq., but with concave sides widening slightly to socket; corners of working edge rounded off. The two sheets of metal welded together about half-way down blade, then opening above to receive wedge-shaped end of wooden shaft; ends open; at each upper corner, hole for iron rivet through wood and metal, one remaining, ¾″ long. Depth 5¼″, width 4¾″ to 5⅜″, thickness 1/16″ to ¾″ (open end). Pl. LIV. [Ser]

Institution

British Museum

Provenance

Stein 1906-8

Find site identifier

DHL.

Stein site number

T.XV.0010

Find site description

Chinese Han-dynasty defensive structures (walls, forts, beacon towers etc) runnning north of Dunhuang in the Gobi desert.

The British Museum Reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of the British Museum

MAS.790