Collection of Romano-British Era Bone and Silver Hairpins (Acus Crinalis). © The Trustees of the British Museum

Collection of Romano-British Era Bone and Silver Hairpins (Acus Crinalis).
© The Trustees of the British Museum.

Acus

An acus is a Roman pin originally designed to secure a hairstyle (acus crinalis). They measure 6 to 9 inches in length and are made of gold, silver, bone, wood, or ivory. These handy long pins could also be used with or without a fibula pin to secure a garment.