08-29-2015, 05:35 PM
Crispianus, I do think we are seeing a mix of linen clothing and armour in the depiction from Thebes. The lead archef is apparently wearing a linen shawl and the pleats are visible. Patterns for Egyptian garments are pretty well known, and can be seen in Vogelsang-Eastwood's work. What are not civilian garments are the torso-covering items with horizontal lines and the little sleeves (not a common pleating pattern really), and the tasseled head coverings with the horizontal lines. I think these items are quilted linen or hide scale armour. The tasseled helmets, identical to those from Medinet Habu depictions, I think are likely "plaited helmets" or perhaps (pure speculation), hide scale helmets. The armour worn by the soldiers in the Thebes depiction looks suspiciously like Tut-style corselets. Tut's armour might be the most sophisticated leather scale armour extant, and I am becoming convinced there were different grades of workmanshio put inti different grades of armour, depending on who would be wearing them, as with the various types from the Nuzi material.
I think the BM mighthave that torso armour backwards; the scales on the back need to cover the chest. I think there are other examples of crocodile armour and they are oriented this way. I think the bony scales could be good against slashing blows. Of course the depiction might not be crocodile OR armour :-)
There are other depictions of warriors wearing this type of item though. I'd like to get a closer look at it. Crocodiles were sacred and at the same time a deadly nuisance. Plenty of hides around.
That the protective power of layers of linen was appreciated by the ancient Egyptians can be seen in Tut' cuirass where painted sealed rawhide scales are sewn to SIX layers of fine linen. Quilting linen layers makes for better armour, and depictions in the tomb of Ramses III probably show armour similar to that given by Amasis; they have an embroidered overlayer covering the quilting..
LOVE this armour from Sudan:
http://www.google.com/search?q=sudanese+...KICh0p8A2f
Now, Dan probably thinks I should be institutionalized :|
I think the BM mighthave that torso armour backwards; the scales on the back need to cover the chest. I think there are other examples of crocodile armour and they are oriented this way. I think the bony scales could be good against slashing blows. Of course the depiction might not be crocodile OR armour :-)
There are other depictions of warriors wearing this type of item though. I'd like to get a closer look at it. Crocodiles were sacred and at the same time a deadly nuisance. Plenty of hides around.
That the protective power of layers of linen was appreciated by the ancient Egyptians can be seen in Tut' cuirass where painted sealed rawhide scales are sewn to SIX layers of fine linen. Quilting linen layers makes for better armour, and depictions in the tomb of Ramses III probably show armour similar to that given by Amasis; they have an embroidered overlayer covering the quilting..
LOVE this armour from Sudan:
http://www.google.com/search?q=sudanese+...KICh0p8A2f
Now, Dan probably thinks I should be institutionalized :|
Qui sepeliunt capita sua in terra, deos volantes non videbunt.
--Flavius Flav
