11-02-2009, 03:53 PM
Some new information- I've just been generously provided with data by fellow RATer 'The Oracle' from a 1989 exhibition listing thicknesses for a number of muscle cuirasses- they seem to vary from 1mm-1.5 or even 1.7mm, so they're not actually as thin as I calculated or is otherwise theorized. That means your reconstruction Matt, is indeed quite reasonable 
It stands to reason the areas that are thinner are the dished bits (pectorals, obliques) and the thicker are the little-worked sections, although I wonder just how the more central areas were measured- it may be that the variation was other than due to the hammer, so to me it seems 'safest' to work with the thinner end material (1mm or so). The difference in weight Matt reported and the original artifact weight I wasn't able to account fully for must be due to the relatively small size of the originals (the average is around 41cm in height, and my test piece, sized to fit me, is 55cm) and the difficulty determining the actual area of a relatively odd-shaped object. I guess the only way to rationalize the problem is to make an actual-size recreation- which is less fun since it can't be worn LOL
It stands to reason the areas that are thinner are the dished bits (pectorals, obliques) and the thicker are the little-worked sections, although I wonder just how the more central areas were measured- it may be that the variation was other than due to the hammer, so to me it seems 'safest' to work with the thinner end material (1mm or so). The difference in weight Matt reported and the original artifact weight I wasn't able to account fully for must be due to the relatively small size of the originals (the average is around 41cm in height, and my test piece, sized to fit me, is 55cm) and the difficulty determining the actual area of a relatively odd-shaped object. I guess the only way to rationalize the problem is to make an actual-size recreation- which is less fun since it can't be worn LOL
See FABRICA ROMANORVM Recreations in the Marketplace for custom helmets, armour, swords and more!
