Re: Lorica segmentata from Caerleon

[Caballo]

It's certainly intriguing, and unique I think?

Absolutely!

I'm not sure that we are underestimating the potential strength of the small circular scales (about 5mm diameter, I estimate by eye- to be confirmed), when overlapped and backed by thick leather.

As they used to say on children's tv, here's one you can try at home. A bit on the Blue Peter school of reconstruction, but I took a length of cow leather this afternoon, and pierced it with brass drawing pins overlapping as per the find. It is remarkably strong and resistant to blows.

Now, the drawing pins with a 10 mm diameter head are about twice the size of the finds- but I'm not sure we can make the assumption that the smaller scales would have been that poor in protection. And if they are covering a gap, they are better then nothing.

And if anyone can find 5mm diameter brass drawing pins to make a better reconstruction, please could you contact me?