Pathhead Brooch to Debut in National Museums Scotland's Roman Scotland Exhibition
A unique bronze brooch adorned with red and yellow enamel, discovered near Pathhead, Scotland, will make its debut at the forthcoming exhibition "Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire," hosted by National Museums Scotland. Measuring under 2.5 inches, this artifact, unearthed by a metal detectorist, dates back to between 100 and 160 C.E. Originally, it was coated in tin for a shiny finish. Fraser Hunter, the principal curator of prehistory and Roman archaeology at the museum, describes it as a "miniature masterpiece." Its design reflects older Celtic art, suggesting a local adaptation of Roman influences. Additionally, the exhibition includes two carved stone altars from a second-century Roman fort in Inveresk, dedicated to Mithras, noted as "among the finest examples of sculpture from Roman Britain." The exhibition is scheduled from November 14, 2026, to April 18, 2027, at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Key facts
- Bronze brooch with red and yellow enamel, less than 2.5 inches long, found near Pathhead, Scotland.
- Dated to between 100 and 160 C.E., originally coated with tin.
- First public display at National Museums Scotland exhibition 'Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire'.
- Exhibition runs November 14, 2026 to April 18, 2027 at National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
- Fraser Hunter, principal curator of prehistory and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland, described it as a 'miniature masterpiece'.
- Brooch's shape and design reminiscent of older Celtic art, showing local adaptation of Roman styles.
- Possibly given by a Roman to a native leader as a status symbol.
- Exhibition also includes two carved stone altars from a Roman fort in Inveresk, dedicated to Mithras.
Entities
Institutions
- National Museums Scotland
- National Museum of Scotland
- PA Media
Locations
- Pathhead
- Scotland
- Inveresk
- Edinburgh
- Britain
- Roman Empire
- Midlothian
- England
- Roman Britain