Bronze leg found in Scottish bog sheds new light on Roman occupation
Once thought to have been looted by Scottish tribes, the gilded limb is the centrepiece of a new exhibition on Roman Scotland in Edinburgh
TL;DR
- A large bronze leg, found in Scotland over 200 years ago, is now believed to be part of a statue of Emperor Antoninus Pius.
- This artifact challenges previous theories that it was looted by Scottish tribes.
- The leg is the centerpiece of a new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland on Roman presence in Scotland.
- The exhibition suggests Romans were a significant force north of Hadrian's Wall, influencing art, politics, and local culture.
- Other artifacts on display include a unique earthenware bowl from Inveresk and locally carved stone altars.
- Roman occupation led to the development of new native art styles and the eventual formation of larger 'anti-Roman' coalitions among Pictish tribes.