Origin of the lorica squamata

[Dan Howard]

I have taken the same stance as Gimbutas, Mallory, and Anthony. Whether it's lorica squamata or lamellar or plate, the primary function was probably established prior to metal. Even the shifting basis of warfare and the emergance of the "general" has its origin upon the steppes. It was this early culture, c. 4800 BC and onward, that destroyed the paleolithic culture known as "Old Europe." It was essentially Indo-European, not Mesopotamian or Egyptian.

If you look at the entire history of warfare there are many many more people who fought without armour than with. If nothing else then Occams Razor suggests that we must assume that armour was not worn until evidence is produced to the contrary.