Reconstructing Ancient Linen Body Armor - New Book

[Dan Howard]

It gives us two independent sources suggesting that linen armour was made of a few layers of a thick material rather than a dozen or more layers of regular cloth. We also have the Dura greave liner telling us that twined linen was used in a martial context. Combining these two data points gives us a probable method of construction. There seems to be more evidence for this proposed reconstruction during the time in question than any other alternative suggestion.

There is also king Amasis' armour. Pliny said it was made of linen strands consisting of 365 threads and Herodotus said 360 threads. The exact number doesn't matter; what matters is that cords this thick are used in twined cloth, not woven cloth. So we have more data pointing to twined linen armour.

I've just learnt that this kind of cloth can be made waterproof by twining with a pile. You don't need a waterproof coating.