05-22-2010, 11:10 AM
I should perhaps have been a little clearer. Certainly they were in use by the time of Constantine, as one is clearly shown on the Arch of Constantine, providing what we might take as a terminus anti quem. I deliberately used the word 'could' to suggest that such a helmet *could* have been 'as much as' 150 years old, not to suggest that it actually *would* be. Sorry if this was not clear.
Also, I was presuming that by 'late 4th centry' a setting of the last quarter of the fifth century was probably being suggested.
Please don't get me wrong. I am not trying to suggest that a) old helmets would not remain in service
or b) that Intercissa helmets would not have been manufactured for a lengthy period.
I just felt that the last quarter of the fifth century seemed rather late for one to be brand new. But yes, I am familiar with the (assumed) construction of the Sutton Hoo helmet and thus I do accept the possibility that two part helmet construction may have remained in practice later than extant examples might suggest, although it is also possible that the Sutton Hoo helmet was already old when deposited and also that it may have been copied from earlier helmets (the remains of a ridge similar to that of the Sutton Hoo helmet were amongst the recently discovered Staffordshire Hoard, which was probably deposited in the late AD670s).
Crispvs
Also, I was presuming that by 'late 4th centry' a setting of the last quarter of the fifth century was probably being suggested.
Please don't get me wrong. I am not trying to suggest that a) old helmets would not remain in service
or b) that Intercissa helmets would not have been manufactured for a lengthy period.
I just felt that the last quarter of the fifth century seemed rather late for one to be brand new. But yes, I am familiar with the (assumed) construction of the Sutton Hoo helmet and thus I do accept the possibility that two part helmet construction may have remained in practice later than extant examples might suggest, although it is also possible that the Sutton Hoo helmet was already old when deposited and also that it may have been copied from earlier helmets (the remains of a ridge similar to that of the Sutton Hoo helmet were amongst the recently discovered Staffordshire Hoard, which was probably deposited in the late AD670s).
Crispvs
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