10-17-2007, 10:30 PM
Just saw that Dan is back 
and wrote in the same time
There I absolutely agree. There are useful typologies for some types (Illyrian, Chalcidian) and an overview at least of the material we could be confronted with (for the Corinthians for example I just put the Informations given by Kukahn, Kunze and Pflug in tabellar form which contains all mentioned variants and some examples for them - and it works until now)
We could collect all observations which are not self-evident through the photos in the "remarks"-field
In my opinion the database could of course be extended to the types which are either ancestors or descendants of the "Greek" types. There are so many interesting connections of different cultures in their helmet-traditions that such a database would give the opportunity to do further research in this direction (Ralph's system would be of great help here).
Perhaps someday we have the corpus cassidum antiquorum which I have in my mind for years
Greets,
Decebalus/Andreas Gagelmann
and wrote in the same time Quote:It will however be possible to start cataloging helmets with whatever information is available; only thus can we tell which helmets we need more information for!
There I absolutely agree. There are useful typologies for some types (Illyrian, Chalcidian) and an overview at least of the material we could be confronted with (for the Corinthians for example I just put the Informations given by Kukahn, Kunze and Pflug in tabellar form which contains all mentioned variants and some examples for them - and it works until now)
Quote:I suggest that for those helmets whose photography is not permitted, note-taking is a respectable alternative, and indeed I would recommend it in addition to photos, since these don't always capture the information to be had from seeing in person.
I might suggest the addition of Incised Decoration (present/absent), and possibly Crest Evidence (present/absent) -- this is of interest, perhaps, because in the case of helmets made of perishable materials (leather or wicker or what-have-you), the metal crest fittings are the only remaining evidence of the helmet! If you think these are non-essential, say so, or suggest other, more useful attributes...
We could collect all observations which are not self-evident through the photos in the "remarks"-field
Quote:Another important question: what are our limits? Do we have strict chronological limits (will one of the 'Material' options be 'boar's tusk'...?), or geographical, or 'cultural'(!)? Do we include helmets of Montefortino-type, or exclude them because (maybe) they belong to a different 'tradition,' or arbitrarily because they're already in the Roman database? Include some if they fall within our chronological range? What about finds from Scythia? Thrace? Italy? Spain? (I think we have to include them all, but let me hear your dissent if you have it!)
What about Near Eastern helmets? Ralph mentioned an Assyrian helmet in an example. I am highly in favor of ignoring "cultural" distinctions since they can rarely be scientifically supported, but maybe geography or chronology is a factor here?
In my opinion the database could of course be extended to the types which are either ancestors or descendants of the "Greek" types. There are so many interesting connections of different cultures in their helmet-traditions that such a database would give the opportunity to do further research in this direction (Ralph's system would be of great help here).
Perhaps someday we have the corpus cassidum antiquorum which I have in my mind for years
Greets,
Decebalus/Andreas Gagelmann
Andreas Gagelmann
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany
