Helmet crest from Hadrian’s Wall

[arminius]

Ok, hopefully somebody from Britain can help me out here:
Years ago I visited all the museums along Hadrian’s Wall. In one of them a helmet crest made of sea-grass (?) was on display. I took pictures and wrote down some notes. Unfortunately pictures and notes are nowhere to find – big disaster!
So, is there anybody who has seen the darn thing and who can give me some information about the crest?
I need the stuff because I’m currently working on the “helmet-chapter” for my latest book.

Thanks!

[Vindex]

Hmmm...did a trek around the museums on the Wall and Stanegate in August and don't remember seeing it. But then I didn't go past Birdoswald.

Any idea roughly where you were when you saw it?

Edit: Having given it some thought, it sounds like something they would have at the Roman Army Museum at Chesterholm (part of the Vindolanda Trust). They have been very helpful with some queries I had so if you email them and ask if they have/had it they will soon let you know. Contact is [email protected]

[jvrjenivs]

It's in the Vindolanda museum. Taking pictures is forbidden, there, unfortunatelly. But I think I've a picture of it somewhere. Have to check, though. Maybe, the Vindolanda trust website is of any help, as it contains pictures of some of the objects in the museum.

[Vindex]

Ah...beat me to it!

I recommend you email them. They sent me lots of information about the chamfron as there weren't any postcards left in the shop, including the report extract. Nice people!

[jvrjenivs]

And found a picture on my first search:

[Occulus]

Hi,

The crest was made of hair moss, a species of Ploytrichium Juniperum which grows in the local area. As suggested by its name, the plant grows long strands which look similar to horse hair, and can be easily woven. Around 1120 “hairs” were used to make the crest.

Bundles of around ten strands were folded to be doubled up, then stitched together until there was a length of around 58 cm, which was then in turn folded over to give a curved length of 29cm.
The “hairs” at this stage were around 23 cm long and were then trimmed, with taller strands in the middle, and the sides tapered to around 10 cm at the end.

The crest was found in the ditch of the Period 1 fort at Vindolanda, so was lost or discarded around AD 85-90, and probably belonged to a member of the 1st Cohort of Tungrians, an infantry regiment that were later stationed at Housesteads fort. (Information about the crest taken from Vindolanda Excavations 2001 & 2002 Excavation report, section by Barbara Birley)

The museum at Vindolanda is closed for refurbishment at the moment, but hopefully will reopen on March the 12th.

[ValentinianVictrix]

Was there any indication that the crest had been dyed or been left a natural colour?

[arminius]

Wow, wow – that was quick!
Thanks a lot guys for your immediate help. I knew I came to the right place with my request.

Yes, Vindolanda of course – and it is exactly the crest I was looking for. I should be more careful with my notes in the future!

Thanks again!

[Occulus]

Hi,

I haven't got any evidence of dyeing, but the report does state that the strands were originally "reddish in colour"

[Caballo]

Great posts, Oculus! Has anyone ever tried to draw or reconstruct this crest?

[jvrjenivs]

Has anyone ever tried to draw or reconstruct this crest?

Somewhere on my 'to do' list, along with many other objects. I'm interested in other attempts, though.

[Peroni]

There is also a second item from Vindolanda made from hairmoss. In "Garrison life at Vindolanda" by Anthony Birley it is said to be Lepidina's insect repellent hairpiece! (Photo on page 142)

As well as the so-called 'crest' (We cannot be certain that it is actually remains of a crest) The second piece from Vindolanda looks like the base of a basket or hat - even a wig as Birley suggests, but equally plausible is that it could have been a faux 'hair' covering for a cavalry helmet like the finds from Nijmegen and Xanten.

There is a similar find from Newstead (Trimontium) also of hair moss...
http://www.scotlandsimages.com/wemail/CAA00446.jpg
http://www.scotlandsimages.com/wemail/CAA00462.jpg

[Tim Edwards]

I recall another fragment from Bar Hill, which is a short section of braided horse hair, with several hairs dividing on one edge.

Accepting the possibility it is simply badly damaged horse hair rope, it could be part of a crest.