Orlat Battle Plaque\'s Importance

[John Conyard]

I feel trying to date the iconography using the stylisation of the horses is rather weak. The more so since our Skythian rider is using entiely different quipment than on the Orlat plaque.

However you are on safer ground when trying to date the plaque using the sword. Set against the dating of the neck guards, bows and quivers this makes this bit of artwork very hard to date.

I also find it hard to understand the saddles being used. They look as if they have high cantles, and so are later than four horned saddles, but it is hard to be sure.

I like to see gradual development in equipment and these quivers do show a development over earlier models which also points to a AD 3/4th century date.

But it is all very difficult to interpret with any degree of certainty.