The helmet from Laurium / Woerden NL

[Robert Vermaat]

As published in Archeobrief (2008-02), pp. 2-8.

During work in the canals ('singels') of the town of Woerden during 1999, some Roman artefacts were found, and during the following year, amateur archaeologists accompanied the work. In May, an altarstone was found, as well as a tegula and material from later periods.

In July, a crane driver found a shiny object, got out of his machine and dragged a helmet from the mud. It turned out to be a Roman helmet, probably brass or bronze. Probably, because after the time that the find was left with the company of the finder, it turned out that he had sold it! An illegal act, because the county of Woerden is for 50% owner. sadly, due to this legal claim the helmet languishes in a safety deposit box, unrestored and probably decaying. What's know is from the images taken at the recovery of the helmet.

The type is a mix between a Niederbieber and a Weiler-Guisborough helmet. It might have had a face mask attached.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Do you have pictures Robert?

[Robert Vermaat]

Yes yes, patience, I had troubles with photobucket... :x

[Robert Vermaat]

Two more, showing the eagle:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

WOW, that would have required so little restoration...it's in awesome condition, comparatively speaking!!

Sorry, just came across the post.....not trying to rush things.

The old 'high-speed' Photobucket download.....?

That is very like the ones in some of the later paintings, is it not? Looks like that to me anyway.....

[Praefectusclassis]

What's uncanny is how common that basic model is in the western Netherlands!

[jkaler48]

Please Please someone who can draw do a sketch of what the complete helmet may have looked like!

[Virilis]

Wow hock: !

This is stunning! Looks like a late second / third century, perhaps parade, helmet?! Clearly the "rim" of this helmet is located on such a high place as to accommodate room for a mask of some kind?

[caiusbeerquitius]

In fact there is ample evidence for this type of helmet. Garbsch labeled them as "Gesichtshelme", most of these found along the Danube so far. The most famous example is this one:


Complete examples (skull)
one from Brigetio ( Garbsch: O 54 )
one from the Iron Gate (Garbsch: O 55)
the one from Heddernheim (Garbsch: O 53)


Most interesting on this one is that it has such a large neckguard, which makes it an infantry helmet IMO, which the others found so far are not.

There is a relief from Hungary, though, epicting three infantry soldiers wearing such hlmets.

[Peroni]

There is a relief from Hungary, though, epicting three infantry soldiers wearing such helmets.

[Robert Vermaat]

There is a relief from Hungary, though, epicting three infantry soldiers wearing such hlmets.

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same helmets. The relief may show stylised versions of Late Roman Intercisa-type helmets.

[caiusbeerquitius]

However, the relief is dated to the 3rd century.

[garrelt]

Thanks Robert for the article, starting to read it .
To bad it is in a vault, according to the article, and not being restored.
Hope this will take place soon.