Museum complex

Helmet

Bessarabian vicegerency, Kishinev district, village Bubech, “a treasure”
III – II centuries BC
Sarmatian culture
Bronze, hammer-work
Size of a helmet’s crown - 27,3 х 23 cm
From: accidental finding in the burial barrow. A gift from a bessarabian governor, 1908.
Showcase 3

A late attical (Attica – a region in ancient Greece) helmet was found as a part of so-called treasure that also included bronze horses head bands, cheek guards, bridle's plaques and a kettle. Along the axis of the helmet a massive hollow comb is placed. It starts over the forehead and comes to the back of the head. A long peak is pushing out. It is divided from the crown with a relief edge or “wreath” that merges into volute (spiral-alike scrolls) on the sides of the helmet. In the middle of the peak is a small hole. In the back part of the helmet a low relief bolster is placed. A neck flap is bended under the straight angle and on sides it merges into falling down long with roundish angles ledges that protect neck from both sides. Shallow notch for ears on the backside was limited by these ledges, and on the front side by roundish plate with sharpened edge. Near the edge of the helmet is a small thickening. The helmet had moving oval cheek guards made of thin sheet of bronze and ornamented near the edge. They were fixed on the helmets crown with a joint-hinge.
Exhibit’s purpose of use – the helmet was an important part of a warrior’s armour.
Uniqueness – this helmet has several analogies in antique and sarmatians complexes.

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