Roman bone hairpin after a find from Xanten, polished bone, 1st-3rd century, approx. 12.5 cm

Roman bone hairpin after a find from Xanten, polished bone, 1st-3rd century, approx. 12.5 cm Hairpins were required for the elaborate hairstyles of Roman women. The number of finds is correspondingly large. The vast majority are quite simple and decorated only with geometric patterns or profiles. Such finds come from all parts of the empire, from Africa to Britain, and hardly change their shape from the early imperial period to late antiquity. Each item is individually carved by hand. Because of this, and because each piece of bone is unique, slight variations may occur.