Iron. When found, the helmet was in a large number of pieces, all heavily corroded. When found, the cheekguards were detached and lay within the bowl of the helmet and so can be regarded as being authentic. Hartmann (Ref. 1) considers that this helmet is a descendent from the 'Port' type. One rare feature is that the crest holder was found with the helmet.
The bowl of the helmet is hemispherical. The 'eyebrows' are elegantly curved, with two raised ridges. These resemble more than usual the 'Celtic' decorations found on some helmets, as well as the same decoration on the late patterns helmets of the 'Intercissa' type and may represent a warding off of evil spirits.
Above the brow is a reeded copper alloy strip, which has partially broken away. Traces of silver-gilding remain on this, another rare occurrance. Further decorative features include the rivets on either side of the temple and also on the cheekguards. These show traces of a red enamel in their centres. Three of these decorative rivets have survived intact, above the right brow, in the centre of the forehead and at the rear of the helmet bowl. The latter two form the attachment points for the ties used to secure the plume holder in position. Also, there is another decorative rivet, partially surviving, on the bottom of the right hand cheek guard.
There are five raised ridges on the occiputal region.
The angle of the neckguard is approximately 60o from the vertical. The carrying handle has been lost.
The brow band is of a flat rectangular cross section.
The dating of the helmet to the middle of the 1st century AD is unequivacal, being based on the fact that early forms of samian ware (Dr.15, 18, 27 and 29), together with stamped roof tiles (legio XXI) were found with the helmet in the same context.
Photos (c) Paul Mullins and Svenja Grosser.
References:
Hartmann, M. (1983), Ein Helm vom Typ Weisenau aus Vindonissa. Jahresbericht GPV 1982, 5-9.
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