01-13-2012, 01:32 PM
The december 2010 report states that there were 6 cheek pieces and gives the following information on them (although it is not stated which piece of information relates to which cheek piece):
1 cheek piece was found inside the helmet
1 cheek piece still had the wiring inside the hinge but is was bent as if the cheek piece had been removed by force
1 cheek piece shows the "Emperor" (apparently this was not the one found inside the helmet)
2 cheek pieces form a matching pair and are decorated with equestrian figures
1 cheek piece shows a bearded figure
2 cheek pieces had designs not yet legible
There is one other interesting piece of information: The two ear guards found were of differing sizes. At that time it was seen as evidence that more than one helmet had been deposited. No mention is made of this anymore and it is in fact not unusual with Roman helmets that fittings are not symmetrical but there is still the possibility that more than one helmet was deposited.
Although it is largely futile to speculate on the circumstances of deposition, my thoughts are the following: If all cheek pieces belong to this helmet, it is rather unlikely to be a battle trophy (one would not normally carry spare cheek pieces into battle; unless, of course, one assumes that it was stolen from the baggage rather than taken from its owner in battle). However, although it may be possible to prove that individual cheek pieces did not belong to the helmet (because they do not fit); I think it unlikely that it will be possible to prove that they cannot have been fitted to another helmet.
"Pars pro toto" depositions of cheek pieces are not at all unusual. Just think of the deposition of 8 or more cheek pieces at the 1st century temple complex at Oedenburg, France or the 20-30 cheek pieces deposited in a trench at Houten, Netherlands. In these two cases it is much more likely that the cheek pieces were deposited by their owners than that they consisted of war booty, whatever that may mean for the Hallaton deposit.
1 cheek piece was found inside the helmet
1 cheek piece still had the wiring inside the hinge but is was bent as if the cheek piece had been removed by force
1 cheek piece shows the "Emperor" (apparently this was not the one found inside the helmet)
2 cheek pieces form a matching pair and are decorated with equestrian figures
1 cheek piece shows a bearded figure
2 cheek pieces had designs not yet legible
There is one other interesting piece of information: The two ear guards found were of differing sizes. At that time it was seen as evidence that more than one helmet had been deposited. No mention is made of this anymore and it is in fact not unusual with Roman helmets that fittings are not symmetrical but there is still the possibility that more than one helmet was deposited.
Although it is largely futile to speculate on the circumstances of deposition, my thoughts are the following: If all cheek pieces belong to this helmet, it is rather unlikely to be a battle trophy (one would not normally carry spare cheek pieces into battle; unless, of course, one assumes that it was stolen from the baggage rather than taken from its owner in battle). However, although it may be possible to prove that individual cheek pieces did not belong to the helmet (because they do not fit); I think it unlikely that it will be possible to prove that they cannot have been fitted to another helmet.
"Pars pro toto" depositions of cheek pieces are not at all unusual. Just think of the deposition of 8 or more cheek pieces at the 1st century temple complex at Oedenburg, France or the 20-30 cheek pieces deposited in a trench at Houten, Netherlands. In these two cases it is much more likely that the cheek pieces were deposited by their owners than that they consisted of war booty, whatever that may mean for the Hallaton deposit.
Regards,
Jens Horstkotte
Munich, Germany
Jens Horstkotte
Munich, Germany
