H.R.Robinson Helmet Typology

[Spurius Papirius Cursor]

Hi again

I'd meant to have my 4 cents worth and nip out again, but Caractacus' last post finishes on an interesting note.

The database you quoted uses the pot shape as a search item (although you can narrow it down by specifying 'decorated' or 'plain' and you can also include a date range, e.g. 'Hadrianic'). Would that we had something like that for helmets!

Unfortunately, to proceed, I'm going to have to betray my ignorance further. Are there texts, or any sources, that examine roman helmet manufacture particularly? I make an assumption that there were a number of forms of "block" (I don't know if that's the correct term - I mean whatever the solid object was over which the metal was shaped). I'm also making an assumption (since artisans seem to learn their trades by mastering the previously tried-and-proven) that there would have been a limited number of such forms. You can probably see where I'm heading.

Also (more ignorance and referrals to sources happily accepted) were there mechanical means of helmet production at any stage of the periods to be covered? I mean, were all helmet forms (not decoration) manually beaten, were some stamped/pressed from hot sheet metal, were any spun?

So much to learn - so little time.

Cheers

Howard / SPC