Metal nails almost 2000 years old, which were left by the Romans at a Perthshire outpost of the empire, are currently up for sale.
They were part of a cache of approximately 875,400 unused nails from the fort at Inchtuthil built in AD82 or AD83 during governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola’s campaign against the Caledonian tribes.
Five of the Inchtuthil nails, within a small wooden display box, are on sale at a price of £300 to £400, but are expected to reach £1000.
Inchtuthil on the north bank of the Tay, near today’s Spittalfield, had been the advance headquarters and forward supply depot for Agricola’s campaign.
Troops of the 20th Legion lived in temporary accomodation while the fortress and other military buildings were erected.
The fort however was abandoned in AD86 as the Romans’ attentions turned to threats to the empire in eastern Europe.
Historians speculate that Scotland’s history could have been very different had the Romans remained.
The nails were discovered at Inchtuthil during archaeological excavations almost 70 years ago.
Aaron Hammond of Timeline Auctions said: “These iron construction nails were crafted by the Roman 20th Legion under Governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola for the fort headquarters at Inchtuthil.
“They serve as tangible evidence of the Roman presence and their campaigns against the Caledonian tribes.
“The nails were part of a cache of approximately 875,400 nails, indicating a significant intent to build further.
“However, an attack against Rome in Dacia, eastern Europe, forced the legion to withdraw.
“Had that not occurred, the planned construction might have proceeded, potentially altering Scottish history.
“But the idea that the Romans’ withdrawal from Inchtuthil significantly changed Scottish history is speculative.
“While the fort’s abandonment halted immediate Roman expansion in the area, the long-term effects on Scotland’s history are uncertain and debatable.”
Agricola’s campaign is mentioned in a work by his son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, about the Roman plan to subjugate the north of Britain.
Work to excavate Inchtuthil in 1957 turned up the trove of 875,000 huge construction nails.
The nails had been buried in a pit to prevent them falling into the hands of the Caledonians. Some of the nails were a massive 372 millimetres, the kind also used in crucifixons.