Arrowhead or a tool?

[djmacdo]

Has anyone an idea what this is.  Obviously, there was a place for a shaft, probably wood as there is no iron remnant.  It is about 8mm long, and I have seen two of them, the other somewhat bent, as if it were an arrowhead that hit something hard.

[Mayadigger]

Ave!

Perhaps a Stylus Nib?

If so, the nib was attached to a simple wooden handle that could easily be replaced after long use.

I have taken the liberty to re-create the shaft as general representation as how it would appeared in the Roman era, 1900 years ago.

Ref/ BBC Television; Time Team. Who knew!

[djmacdo]

Interesting idea!  It does seem a bit heavy and dull for that use, but maybe!  Thanks for the suggestion.

[*Alex]

I am pretty sure Mayadigger is right and the size  of yours is about the same as some of those found at Vindolanda.

As for a weapon, well Tiberius is reputed to have used his stylus to stab flies.... 

Alex

[Virgil H]

One thing to note is that a stylus is not necessarily the same as a pen. For use with ink on papyrus, this item looks like it would not work well as it would have to be continually dipped. But for use on wax tablets or clay it might work well. Reeds were certainly used with ink, as well as other writing devices. I am not sure when quills became popular, but some sources say the ancients used them. Here is an interesting article from 1890 I found: https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1890.3.4.02a00040

This is certainly an interesting item.

Virgil

[Bill W4]

Interesting piece. Could it possibly have been used as a tool to punch holes in leather?

[Mayadigger]

Ave!

Interesting piece. Could it possibly have been used as a tool to punch holes in leather?

No, leather working tools were all very slim and extremely pointed. See Below.

Here is another work-a-day stylus that was pierced to hold a string, that may have been tied to the wax plate, so it would not have been lost?

Best,

Kevin

[Bill W4]

You are right.  I have a stone point similarly shaped at the end which I've been told was used as an auger, but the Romans were a bit beyond using stone.