Roman Reaper
The mix of agricultural mystery and ancient history involved in the design of the ancient Roman reaping machines continues to be of great interest to me. Agricultural Implements of the Roman World by K.D. White provides an excellent overview and exploration of the ancient text and monumental evidence regarding these machines as well as other ancient Roman farm tools. According to White, the various sources seem to refer to several designs of a similar machine. While Pliny refers to it as a vallus, Palladius refers to it as a carpentum and vehiculum. They seem to describe differing machines. The monumental evidence as well depicts different machines. It is likely that several more designs existed that were shaped to local conditions. Palladius description is the most extensive. Although, as White suggests, Palladius seems to describe a very different machine than those depicted in the various carvings.
It is a long descriptive passage, a part of which I have excerpted here.
“In the more level plains of the Gallic provinces they employ the following short cut or labour-saving device (compendium) for havvesting. With the aid of a single ox the machine outstdips the efforts of laborers and cust downthe time of the entire harvesting operation. They construct a cart carried on two small wheels. The square surface of the cart is made out of planks, which slope outwards from the bottom, and so provide a larger space at the top. The height of the planks is lower at the front of this container (carpentum); at this point a large number of teeth with spaces..." Palladius (from Agricultural Implements of the Roman World)
What happened to the Vallus and why it dissapeared is as interesting as how it worked and how it was made. It is a story of lost knowledge and technological regression that is filled with mystery. After its heyday in the first few centuries of the millennium,it disappears. A similar machine would not be invented until the early 19th century. What amazing machines might we have today had the evolution of reaping technology continued to advance from the 2nd Century up until the present day? That is not a fair question, since history probably moves more in a circle than ever advancing technological innovation.
It is a long descriptive passage, a part of which I have excerpted here.
“In the more level plains of the Gallic provinces they employ the following short cut or labour-saving device (compendium) for havvesting. With the aid of a single ox the machine outstdips the efforts of laborers and cust downthe time of the entire harvesting operation. They construct a cart carried on two small wheels. The square surface of the cart is made out of planks, which slope outwards from the bottom, and so provide a larger space at the top. The height of the planks is lower at the front of this container (carpentum); at this point a large number of teeth with spaces..." Palladius (from Agricultural Implements of the Roman World)
What happened to the Vallus and why it dissapeared is as interesting as how it worked and how it was made. It is a story of lost knowledge and technological regression that is filled with mystery. After its heyday in the first few centuries of the millennium,it disappears. A similar machine would not be invented until the early 19th century. What amazing machines might we have today had the evolution of reaping technology continued to advance from the 2nd Century up until the present day? That is not a fair question, since history probably moves more in a circle than ever advancing technological innovation.
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