11-29-2009, 10:34 PM
Question: Did HRR devise a system where he grouped the helmets by their supposed use, and then defined the characteristics of the helmets within that group, or did he do it the other way round, i.e. look for common characteristics and then try and work out what the group may have been used for?
In some respects, I suppose, it doesn't really matter whether a helmet was a 'sport/parade' helmet or a cavalry (i.e. combat) helmet, provided that there are clearly defined elements in the design that can be agreed on.
You can replace the 'find spot' by a simple type number if you want. These are not that difficult to work with if you are familiar with the system. The point to remember is that these typologies are not designed with the "man on the top deck of the Clapham omnibus" in mind! They are specialist tools. As an example, we use a mnemonic system to describe the ovolo friezes on certain types of samian pottery vessels, so you get things like: "2PPRRAFP". Doesn't mean a thing to you does it? But you're not an expert in samian pottery! To me it means that the ovolo frieze has a double border (2), which is plain (P), a plain tongue (P), which is on the right side ®, a right hand tip ®, which is applied (A) and is four pronged (FP)! Granted, it doesn't exactly trip off the tongue in the way that "Coolus" would - but it does work.
My objection to the 'find spot' sytem remains, it's clumsy, it is inflexible and is lacking in clarity.
Caratacus
(Dr Mike Thomas)
In some respects, I suppose, it doesn't really matter whether a helmet was a 'sport/parade' helmet or a cavalry (i.e. combat) helmet, provided that there are clearly defined elements in the design that can be agreed on.
You can replace the 'find spot' by a simple type number if you want. These are not that difficult to work with if you are familiar with the system. The point to remember is that these typologies are not designed with the "man on the top deck of the Clapham omnibus" in mind! They are specialist tools. As an example, we use a mnemonic system to describe the ovolo friezes on certain types of samian pottery vessels, so you get things like: "2PPRRAFP". Doesn't mean a thing to you does it? But you're not an expert in samian pottery! To me it means that the ovolo frieze has a double border (2), which is plain (P), a plain tongue (P), which is on the right side ®, a right hand tip ®, which is applied (A) and is four pronged (FP)! Granted, it doesn't exactly trip off the tongue in the way that "Coolus" would - but it does work.
My objection to the 'find spot' sytem remains, it's clumsy, it is inflexible and is lacking in clarity.
Caratacus
(Dr Mike Thomas)
visne scire quod credam? credo orbes volantes exstare.
