Hawkshaw
Findspot (18th Century), Celtic Head (Stone)(Roman)
Site Name Hawkshaw
Classification Findspot (18th Century), Celtic Head (Stone)(Roman)
Canmore ID 48557
Site Number NT02SE 4
NGR NT 080 203
NGR Description NT c. 080 203
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/48557
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Tweedsmuir
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Tweeddale
- Former County Peebles-shire
NT02SE 4 c. 080 203
A marble male head which was ploughed up close to the ruins of an old chapel (NT02SE 3), situated within half a mile of Hawkshaw Castle (NT 080 203) was donated to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS) in 1783. No remains of the chapel now exist and its precise location is not known. Toynbee and Robertson consider that the sculpture is of Trajanic date (97 - 117 A.D.), Toynbee adding that it is not a portrait of Trajan himself, though it may represent a general or a provincial governor.
The appearance of this head in a remote Peeblesshire valley is difficult to explain, but it is thought that it may have formed part of a triumphal monument erected in the principate of Trajan to commemorate the Roman conquest of the region. (NMAS K64)
J Curle 1932; J Toynbee 1962; RCAHMS 1967; A S Robertson 1970.
Sbc Note
Visibility: Not applicable. Site of an unprovenanced find.
Information from Scottish Borders Council