This is my copy of the tent discovered at Vindolanda. The primary reference is "New
light on old tents" by C.Van Driel Murray (Journal of Roman Military Equipment
Studies 1). I followed the pattern made up by Florentius. As he did, my tent is made
from painted pyrotone, a modern material. One advantage of using pyrotone is that the
cost is about a tenth of that of a real tanned goat skin tent. Thirty yards of pyrotone,
more than enough for the entire tent, cost me about $300 USD. Goat skin, if you can
find it, costs at least ten times that. Pyrotone, unlike cotton duck, also does not
wringle when painted.
As were roman tents, this tent is constructed from panels of standarized size. The
panels themselves are stitched together using flat fell seams. For a good description of
this method, see the Greydragon site. An industrial sewing machine is needed to sew
pyrotone. I used a second hand Consew 226:
light on old tents" by C.Van Driel Murray (Journal of Roman Military Equipment
Studies 1). I followed the pattern made up by Florentius. As he did, my tent is made
from painted pyrotone, a modern material. One advantage of using pyrotone is that the
cost is about a tenth of that of a real tanned goat skin tent. Thirty yards of pyrotone,
more than enough for the entire tent, cost me about $300 USD. Goat skin, if you can
find it, costs at least ten times that. Pyrotone, unlike cotton duck, also does not
wringle when painted.
As were roman tents, this tent is constructed from panels of standarized size. The
panels themselves are stitched together using flat fell seams. For a good description of
this method, see the Greydragon site. An industrial sewing machine is needed to sew
pyrotone. I used a second hand Consew 226:
The Vindolanda Contubernium Tent
The attachment points for the guy ropes were made in leather following examples found
at Vindolanda:
at Vindolanda:
Similar roman tent guy rope attachments were also found at Newstead. I purchased
forged tent stakes from RLQM. Wooden tent stakes have also been found.
forged tent stakes from RLQM. Wooden tent stakes have also been found.
The frame is made from 2x2 lumber and consists of three ridge poles each having three
uprights. The uprights are pinned to the ridge poles using 1/4 inch steel rod. For extra
secuirty I also tied them together. The ridge poles at the walls are additionally tied to
the tent using internal straps.
Some more pictures of the tent:
uprights. The uprights are pinned to the ridge poles using 1/4 inch steel rod. For extra
secuirty I also tied them together. The ridge poles at the walls are additionally tied to
the tent using internal straps.
Some more pictures of the tent:
It's amazing what a can of paint will do! I went to the local hardware store and I had a
gallon of latex paint made matching the color of my goat skin scutum cover. I then
thinned the paint a bit and brushed it on.
Notice the extra material folded over onto the ground. That is a deliberate aspect of he
design. I have also not attached the ground cover to the tent.
One thing that remains to be done is to apply some sort of water proofing to fill-in the
stitch holes. I'm told that bees wax may be suitable.
I recently made another tent. Here are both tents side-by-side, it still needs to be
painted:
gallon of latex paint made matching the color of my goat skin scutum cover. I then
thinned the paint a bit and brushed it on.
Notice the extra material folded over onto the ground. That is a deliberate aspect of he
design. I have also not attached the ground cover to the tent.
One thing that remains to be done is to apply some sort of water proofing to fill-in the
stitch holes. I'm told that bees wax may be suitable.
I recently made another tent. Here are both tents side-by-side, it still needs to be
painted:
