‘Roman’ or ‘Native’ Bodies in Britain: The Evidence of Late Roman Nail‐cleaner Strap‐ends

Abstract

This paper reviews late Roman 'nail-cleaner strap-ends', a group of objects first discussed by Hawkes and Dunning (1961). The precise function of these objects is unclear as their shape suggests use as toilet instruments but the split socket suggests that they were part of belt-fittings. We suggest a detailed typology and discuss the dating evidence and the spatial distribution of the type.Regardless of their precise function, it is argued in this paper that nail-cleaner strap-ends of this type are unique to late Roman Britain and thus represent a distinct regional type. The use of nail-cleaner strap-ends can be viewed in the context of gender associations, military status and religious beliefs. what's in a name: nail-cleaners or strap-endsRomano-British toilet instruments can be defined as sets of small copper-alloy objects (tweezers, nail-cleaners and ear-scoops/cosmetic spoons) which are closely associated with the care and presentation of the body. As artefacts involved in self-representation, toilet instruments may relate to many different aspects of identity such as gender, age, tribal or regional identities. Toilet instruments are often seen as relating to 'Roman' grooming practices but an initial study of nail-cleaners has already demonstrated major differences between Britain and the neighbouring provinces of Gaul and Germany as well as possible regional groupings in southern Roman Britain (Crummy and Eckardt 2003). An ongoing research project on Romano-British toilet instruments is aiming to combine traditional typological and chronological study with the analysis of the spatial and social distribution of these objects (Eckardt and Crummy in preparation). By employing a contextual approach to the material, we hope to show how small (and so far academically neglected) artefacts can make an important contribution to our understanding of how the body was perceived and presented in Roman Britain. In this paper we would like to focus on a fascinating sub-group of this material which we believe illustrates well the subtle and complex patterns that can be revealed by detailed artefact studies.First, an issue of nomenclature has to be addressed. It is by no means certain that so-called 'nail-cleaners' were used to clean or trim nails, although the distinctive bifid tip of these characteristically Romano-British objects may be suited for such a purpose (Crummy and Eckardt 2003). The absence from Romano-British toilet sets of the single pick (which often forms part of Continental sets) may mean that the two instruments had a common purpose, such as cleaning the nails or between the teeth. In any case, as 'nail-cleaners' frequently occur with tweezers and small spoons as part of cosmetic sets, their use for grooming cannot be doubted.

Object Biography, Re-use and Recycling in the Late to Post-Roman Transition Period and Beyond: Rings made from Romano-British Bracelets

“…If aspects such as completeness, repair, and modification (which have not been considered in any detail for most 160 See Swift 2011. 161 Swift 2000;Eckardt with Crummy 2006. 162 Simpson 1976Böhme 1986.…”

Identities in Life and Death in Roman Britain: The Case of Baldock

“…Cool's (1990) work on hairpins has shown varied distribution patterns of different types, as has Crummy and Eckardt's (2003;Eckardt and Crummy 2006) work into nail cleaners and strapends, although they are careful to point out the effect production and distribution may have on type clustering. Swift (2000;, expanding this beyond the confines of Britain, has shown that varied distributions and uses of the many different types of personal adornment items operated throughout the western Roman Empire and beyond, having the potential to inform on aspects of identity.…”