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Hallaton Helmet Update
#1
Salvete,

I recently stumbled over this update on the conservation work on the Hallaton helmet:

link

The most interesting observations are that the helmet had a scalloped brow guard similar to the later Guisborough type helmets and a laurel leaf decoration but no hair. If found without a context, these features would likely have lead to a dating 100-150 years younger than the actual date.
Regards,


Jens Horstkotte
Munich, Germany
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#2
Curious is that the helmet is founded with 3 pairs of cheekpieces... Some kind of interchangebility for the same helmet? Who knows...
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#3
The mounted 'Emperor' on the cheek guard, is he wearing greaves?
Adrian Coombs-Hoar
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#4
Quote:The mounted 'Emperor' on the cheek guard, is he wearing greaves?

Well, to me it seems you're right.
________________________________________
Jvrjenivs Peregrinvs Magnvs / FEBRVARIVS
A.K.A. Jurjen Draaisma
CORBVLO and Fectio
ALA I BATAVORUM
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#5
i am involved in archaeology in Leicestershire in a small way and on wednesday i had the pleasure of seeing some of the latest imagery of the helmet. It is an incredible item the xrays and the laser scans of the cheekpieces show some incredible details, one of the cheekpieces shows the Emperor saluting over the body of a barbarian, another shows the image of a cavalry riding over a barabarian. There are 7 cheekpieces in total. My favorite is the bearded man cheekpiece which is belived to be a Parthian and i was told the imagery is very similar to imagery showing the Parthians returning the captured Eagles and the cheekpiece may be showing this event. The helmet was discovered with many local Coritani tribe coins and pig bones.
Richard Craig AKA Aulus Maximus
Cohors I Tungrorum
Cohors I Batavorum
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#6
The part I find most interesting is the mention of a filler substance found between the silver sheet decoration and it's cheek piece, this indicates that support has been given to the repousse decoration.
This is the kind of thing I have done so often myself when having made this kind of work in the past, where a dictionary definition of repousse will say it is decoration hammered out from the reverse of metal, it should also be mentioned that with fine decoration such as thin sheet it is also created by hand rubbing this is where very skilled artistic work comes into armour making.
Brian Stobbs
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#7
Sounds right Brian. Also the bonding of the sheet to the helmet core.
it would soon be damaged beyond repair if left with an air gap.
This helmet sounds amazing. And of the right period for an impressive first century cavalry helmet!
I look forward to seeing more info on this.
Thank you for posting!
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
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#8
The "Emperor" figure is especially interesting, if he is really saluting and not just waving to the crowd. The question of whether the Romans saluted has been argued before on this board but this figure really does look like it's giving the Hollywood/Roman/fascist salute.
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#9
More than likely, he is raising his hand in acknowledgement of the troops as he rides past.
A formal salute from the emperor, hmmmm
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
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#10
The helmet was found buried at the edge of a British religious enclosure with a hoard of coins and some pig bones. It is likely that the helmet was a votive deposit, either as a gift from a Roman commander or possibly a captured helmet. The cheekpieces are unlikely to be spares but offered due to there value.
What is interesting is that i would expect such an offering to be found in the centre of such a site, but this was found on the very edge.
Richard Craig AKA Aulus Maximus
Cohors I Tungrorum
Cohors I Batavorum
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#11
In looking at the Emperor figure, it would appear that he has two rows of ptreuges and the armor does not appear to be a musculata on the linked images. It appears as if it might be squamata he is wearing. Any thoughts on this?
Mike Daniels
a.k.a

Titus Minicius Parthicus

Legio VI FFC.


If not me...who?

If not now...when?
:wink: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" />:wink:
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#12
Agreed Arklore, it absolutely struck me as scale armor when I first saw it too
Quintus Furius Collatinus

-Matt
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#13
What a brilliant find, yes concur with the earlier posters regarding the emperors armour, looks like scale. Would love to see a close up of the emperor cheekpiece.

Must admit I am always in complete awe of what covervators can do with these finds.
Marc Byrne
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#14
Quote:In looking at the Emperor figure, it would appear that he has two rows of ptreuges and the armor does not appear to be a musculata on the linked images. It appears as if it might be squamata he is wearing. Any thoughts on this?

I noticed this too. I belive there was once a find of Scale armor detailed to look like feathers in the Middle east, so it could potentially be some sort of decorative armor potentially.
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