Anonymous
07-12-2005, 09:16 PM
Hi All!
I am currently in the process of working with someone to have the most accurate Scutum made as possible based on written and archaeological evidence from the 1 AD – 100 AD time frame. I have searched as many places as I know of for evidence concerning its construction and the various components of it. I wanted to send out this note though to check with all of you who might have more knowledge and better resources to see if anyone could help clarify or add to anything. Currently this is what I have so far:
1. Birch wood construction. It will be made using three layers of 2.5mm strips of birch like the Dura shield. Does anyone know if for certain other wood was used?
2. Bronze Rim – not brass to be historically accurate. I have heard rawhide was used but was anything else used for the rim? What would be more accurate for a 1 AD-100 AD time frame?
3. Iron boss, 14 gauge – does anyone know how historically accurate iron is and if perhaps any other metal was used? Does anyone have any archaeological proof of what gauge it was or what was more common?
4. Casein paint – I have read that this is the most accurate paint to be using but I was wondering if there were possibly other methods of making paint that the Roman’s knew about and possibly used? Does anyone know how well casein paint may be damaged with water or sunlight etc? Does it hold up very well or is there another historically accurate stronger paint that could have been used?
5. Leather facing on the front – Does anyone know if rawhide was used instead of just regular leather? I have heard that rawhide is stronger than leather, though I am not sure for certain, but is there any proof that rawhide was ever used? What is more accurate, based on evidence we have found or what has been written, for the front of the shield? Leather, Rawhide, or linen? How thick should it be? Also, is there any proof that the back of the shield was covered in leather or rawhide? I would think that this would add an extra layer of protection, especially from throwing weapons and arrows etc, so I just wanted to make sure.
6. Shield design will be that of the XIIII Legion as I have been told that this legion has the most clear archaeological proof for its shield design. Is this true and is there any other Legion that has its shield design clearly shown? Also, does anyone have proof that the tabula ansata was used on the 14th legions shield? Those are the boxes with triangles at the ends placed on either side of the boss. If so, do we know for certain if there was anything written inside of it such as the Legion number?
That is what I have for it so far so I would greatly appreciate any comments that you all may have. I have further specific questions concerning its construction that I haven’t been able to look up.
1. What are the dimensions for the rivets that affix the boss to the shield? What should be the proper size of the head of the rivet based on evidence? What is the average amount of rivets used?
2. What would be the correct glue that the Roman’s used? Was there more than one type and was any one type stronger than the other?
3. What is the proof that the shields were painted red with yellow wings and lightning bolts? Do we have any proof that possibly other colors were used?
4. Do we know how detailed the painting was for the wings etc. or was it just a very basic and hasty paint job?
5. What is the proof for metal facings on the wings or lightning bolts? I have been told that there were some found at Kalkries but I haven’t seen any pictures myself and I cant seem to find any information for them.
6. What would be more authentic for the 14th Legion (or any legion) in the 1 AD – 100 AD timeframe? The curve sided “Augustanâ€ÂÂ
I am currently in the process of working with someone to have the most accurate Scutum made as possible based on written and archaeological evidence from the 1 AD – 100 AD time frame. I have searched as many places as I know of for evidence concerning its construction and the various components of it. I wanted to send out this note though to check with all of you who might have more knowledge and better resources to see if anyone could help clarify or add to anything. Currently this is what I have so far:
1. Birch wood construction. It will be made using three layers of 2.5mm strips of birch like the Dura shield. Does anyone know if for certain other wood was used?
2. Bronze Rim – not brass to be historically accurate. I have heard rawhide was used but was anything else used for the rim? What would be more accurate for a 1 AD-100 AD time frame?
3. Iron boss, 14 gauge – does anyone know how historically accurate iron is and if perhaps any other metal was used? Does anyone have any archaeological proof of what gauge it was or what was more common?
4. Casein paint – I have read that this is the most accurate paint to be using but I was wondering if there were possibly other methods of making paint that the Roman’s knew about and possibly used? Does anyone know how well casein paint may be damaged with water or sunlight etc? Does it hold up very well or is there another historically accurate stronger paint that could have been used?
5. Leather facing on the front – Does anyone know if rawhide was used instead of just regular leather? I have heard that rawhide is stronger than leather, though I am not sure for certain, but is there any proof that rawhide was ever used? What is more accurate, based on evidence we have found or what has been written, for the front of the shield? Leather, Rawhide, or linen? How thick should it be? Also, is there any proof that the back of the shield was covered in leather or rawhide? I would think that this would add an extra layer of protection, especially from throwing weapons and arrows etc, so I just wanted to make sure.
6. Shield design will be that of the XIIII Legion as I have been told that this legion has the most clear archaeological proof for its shield design. Is this true and is there any other Legion that has its shield design clearly shown? Also, does anyone have proof that the tabula ansata was used on the 14th legions shield? Those are the boxes with triangles at the ends placed on either side of the boss. If so, do we know for certain if there was anything written inside of it such as the Legion number?
That is what I have for it so far so I would greatly appreciate any comments that you all may have. I have further specific questions concerning its construction that I haven’t been able to look up.
1. What are the dimensions for the rivets that affix the boss to the shield? What should be the proper size of the head of the rivet based on evidence? What is the average amount of rivets used?
2. What would be the correct glue that the Roman’s used? Was there more than one type and was any one type stronger than the other?
3. What is the proof that the shields were painted red with yellow wings and lightning bolts? Do we have any proof that possibly other colors were used?
4. Do we know how detailed the painting was for the wings etc. or was it just a very basic and hasty paint job?
5. What is the proof for metal facings on the wings or lightning bolts? I have been told that there were some found at Kalkries but I haven’t seen any pictures myself and I cant seem to find any information for them.
6. What would be more authentic for the 14th Legion (or any legion) in the 1 AD – 100 AD timeframe? The curve sided “Augustanâ€ÂÂ