Trumpet

Date43-409

MediumBronze

ClassificationsPerformance Arts

Terms

Object numberC00686

DescriptionCircular piece of corroded metal in two halves. Mouth of a bronze trumpet or tuba. Found during excavations on the site of the New Post Office, St Martins le Grand in 1870. London.

Unlike the modern tuba, the Roman tuba was a long, straight instrument - 'tuba' deriving from 'tubus', the Latin for tube. They were made from bronze, with a detachable bone mouthpiece. Rather than being used for music as might be suspected, the tuba was a military device used to give signals such as to charge and retreat.

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