10-12-2009, 07:15 PM
Some other bits:
-A small fragment of laminated linen containing 14 layers has been found in a grave at Mycenae among a cache of arms and armor. (Studniczka, Franz (1887) “Zur Herkunft der Mykenischen Cultur,” Mittheilungen des Kaiserlich Deutschen Archaeologischen Instituts, Athenische Abteilung 12, 8-24)
-Similarly, a fragment of laminated linen uncovered at Tarquinia was identified by the excavator as having originally been part of a linen corselet. (Helbig, W. (1874) “Oggetti Trovati nella Tomba Cornetana detta del Guerriero,” Annali dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica 46, 249-266.)
Professor Amy Cohen of Randolph College has conducted research on the use of laminated linen in theater masks, presenting at the 2008 and 2009 annual meetings of the American Philological Assoc. It is taken from a line in the 'Suda' when discussing the theatrical innovations of Thespis; it states that "he introduced the use of masks made solely from linen." ('Suda', theta 282) Prof. Cohen is interpreting this as he made masks out of laminated linen formed in molds.
But within that balance, one would think that the intention to protect oneself from getting penetrated with an arrow was a factor in designing or for wearing body armor. I understand a piece of armor, whatever it may be, was not solely designed to resist penetration by arrow. The reason we tested the armor against arrow fire was because we could control the variables: range, pull strength of bow, angle to target, etc. We also carried out a number of slightly less-scientific tests using various weapons (slashing sword, double-edged sword, spear, axe, mace) and found that slashing objects (swords) or blunt force objects (axe, mace) hardly penetrated the armor and left only surface cuts while the thrusting objects (double-edged sword, spear) penetrated more easily from point-blank range. These thrusting or spearing motions and the penetration of type IV armor can be seen on a number of vase paintings (i.e. they depict soldiers with spears piercing areas around the abdomen of other soldiers wearing the type IV armor).
-A small fragment of laminated linen containing 14 layers has been found in a grave at Mycenae among a cache of arms and armor. (Studniczka, Franz (1887) “Zur Herkunft der Mykenischen Cultur,” Mittheilungen des Kaiserlich Deutschen Archaeologischen Instituts, Athenische Abteilung 12, 8-24)
-Similarly, a fragment of laminated linen uncovered at Tarquinia was identified by the excavator as having originally been part of a linen corselet. (Helbig, W. (1874) “Oggetti Trovati nella Tomba Cornetana detta del Guerriero,” Annali dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica 46, 249-266.)
Professor Amy Cohen of Randolph College has conducted research on the use of laminated linen in theater masks, presenting at the 2008 and 2009 annual meetings of the American Philological Assoc. It is taken from a line in the 'Suda' when discussing the theatrical innovations of Thespis; it states that "he introduced the use of masks made solely from linen." ('Suda', theta 282) Prof. Cohen is interpreting this as he made masks out of laminated linen formed in molds.
Quote:...whilst I have no doubt of the value of the trials you conducted, I fear you may have started with some invalid assumptions. To begin with, neither shields, helmets, nor body-armour were ever intended to "stop any impact from any arrow...etc" - rather they were designed to be a balance between protection, weight, expense etc; a compromise in fact, as ever, between offence and defence.
But within that balance, one would think that the intention to protect oneself from getting penetrated with an arrow was a factor in designing or for wearing body armor. I understand a piece of armor, whatever it may be, was not solely designed to resist penetration by arrow. The reason we tested the armor against arrow fire was because we could control the variables: range, pull strength of bow, angle to target, etc. We also carried out a number of slightly less-scientific tests using various weapons (slashing sword, double-edged sword, spear, axe, mace) and found that slashing objects (swords) or blunt force objects (axe, mace) hardly penetrated the armor and left only surface cuts while the thrusting objects (double-edged sword, spear) penetrated more easily from point-blank range. These thrusting or spearing motions and the penetration of type IV armor can be seen on a number of vase paintings (i.e. they depict soldiers with spears piercing areas around the abdomen of other soldiers wearing the type IV armor).
Scott B.
