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Celtic Gallic War Find
#16
Yep. That bird helmet was found in Romania. The wings were hinged so they'd flap as the wearer ran, or galloped on horseback.. <p></p><i></i>
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#17
Avete omnes,<br>
<br>
I worked on one of the shown photos to isolate the piece - and I don't know whether the 'tail' still belongs to it. My question is, am I totally wrong or did I understand it right, that the following object is generally assumed to be a helmet here in this forum?<br>
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<img src="http://people.freenet.de/u-bahr/Tintignac.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
Thanks in advance - Uwe <p></p><i></i>
Greets - Uwe
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#18
Great job Uwe!<br>
And yes it is a helmet, according to the archaeologists working on the site.<br>
But I reckon it is an extremely bizarre helmet..<br>
Actually the "tail" doesn't belong to it; the helmet ends in the back with the pointed "neckguard".<br>
The helmet bowl is clearly visible, including the holes for cheek pieces or chin strap attachment.<br>
It is very probably a ceremonial headdress rather than an actual combat helmet. I don't really picture myself going into battle with something like that on my head..<br>
Anyway, here's the translation by yours truly of the paragraph on the helmets on the french site. The question marks are mine:<br>
"Nine helmets, eight in bronze and a single one in iron. Most bear marks of blows by tools (Or weapons?).<br>
Some still have their neckguards (?) or cheek guards. The iron helmet is decorated with bronze plate. Surprisingly (?) three rings of 30 centimeters in diameter are mounted on top of one of the bronze helmets.<br>
Another helmet, also unique, is in the shape of a swan. Its neck is shaped like a frontal horn turned backwards towards the neckguard which is shaped like the tail of the animal. To this day this type was totally unknown in the Celtic world."<br>
<br>
A comment on the "three rings": these could be the "cosmic wheels" associated I think with the god Taranis. Some coins from Massalia (If I remember well...) also show a helmet decorated with a wheel like device and a Negau type helmet I've seen somewhere is also crested with a pair of wheels, although very small as compared to the size of those. 30 Cm. make almost a foot. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=antoninuslucretius@romanarmytalk>Antoninus Lucretius</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://lucretius.homestead.com/files/Cesar_triste.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 12/9/04 3:54 pm<br></i>
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#19
Lets not forget that the Celts were very vain and I can easily see a boastful warrior wearing that helmet and feeling very pleased with himself<br>
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Also the wheel was a Celtic symbol of war and I am sure that I have seen drawings of sculpture which depicts celts with helmets surmounted with wheels. 30cm seens a bit excessive though !!<br>
<br>
Conal <p></p><i></i>
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#20
ConalM,<br>
<br>
the reliefs at the arch of Orange include several depictions of Gaul helmets with wheels and horns.<br>
<br>
Antoninus,<br>
<br>
isn't that piece a challenge for a draughtsman, who already pleased us with so beautiful reconstruction designs? (I always remember the fine and convincing drawings about the Frank helmet)<br>
<br>
Uwe <p></p><i></i>
Greets - Uwe
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