"Pristine legionary canteen found at Roman sanctuary" Topic

…in France

"A metal legionary canteen in exceptional condition from the 4th century A.D. has been discovered at an ancient sanctuary site in the town of Seynod in southeastern France. Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) were excavating the site near a future commercial area when they unearthed the remains of a Roman-era sacred precinct with at least two, perhaps three small temples and 42 pits in which religious offerings were deposited. Only the stone foundations of the structures survive, but for two out of the three, the floor plan of cella (a closed temple space) and vestibule can be clearly identified. Only a 16-foot section of wall and two wingwalls have survived from the third building, so while it's likely that it too was a temple, too much of it has been destroyed to confirm…."

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Amicalement
Armand

Well, it's too late now. They've long since taken it out of his pay.

How does it compare in size to modern canteens?

The scale's in the picture, Bill--about a 4" diameter. The side views look a little chunkier than any I carried, so I'd guess the volume to be similar to US Army temperate zone. But as they point out, that one wasn't carrying water, so that may not be the model they used for water.

And as I look at it, I can also see the advert for the latest edition of AW magazine, showing the back of a Roman legionary wearing just such a canteen !

I can see the centurion saying: "Now boys, make sure ya'll have a drink from your canteen? I don't want anyone falling out on the march!"

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand