Roman Leather Lamellae Scales from Karanis, Egypt

[Juba the Wolf]

I thought I'd post this here because not many Roman aficionados seem to be aware of the Karanis archaeological find, which is direct evidence of leather armour use during the Roman period (est. 2nd or 3rd century B.C.E.)--at least in Egypt.

But if one adds this to the speculated leather 'thigh armour' found at Dura Europos, it gives compelling archaeological evidence for the use of leather body armour in the eastern Roman world--and perhaps across the rest of the empire, when one combines the physical evidence with artistic and written accounts. Of course, this can only be conjecture until more finds are made--or old objects are released to the public, considering this dig at Karanis happened in 1925! Who knows what other artifacts sit moldering in university cellars around the world just waiting to be rediscovered...

Unfortunately, there is little detailed information online regarding this particular find, though the lamellae scales are included in a University of Michigan museum exhibit.







Here's a small bit of info from a U.M newsletter--

The leather scale armor was excavated at Karanis by the University of Michigan in the 1920s. There is little documentation of the armor from the excavation, but today it exists in many fragments of different sizes. Some of these are substantial and reveal details of the armor’s original construction. Last year, in preparation for exhibition of the armor in Karanis Revealed, conservators at the Kelsey undertook a detailed study of this artifact. We describe this process, some of our findings, and the conservation treatment of the leather.

If anyone has any further information on this intriguing find, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Shawn Crawford