Unique 10th-century helmet found in Belarus

Belarus archaeologists have discovered a perfectly preserved, distinctly decorated pointed 'shishak' helmet, probably from the 10th century, on the banks of the Berezina River .

Credit: Deník

The exceptionally well preserved helmet was found at the beginning of April and is thought to have belonged to a member of the then military elite or princely family, because it was a relatively expensive item in its time.

'It is the first of its kind found in Belarus", says Dr. Igor Marzaljuk of the Permanent Commission for Education, Culture and Science of the Belarus Chamber of Deputies. "Two similar helmets have been discovered in the northern part of Ukraine, one from at a Slavic burial site in the famous Black Tomb on a hill in Chernihiv, and another Shestovice."

Excavations at the site of the discovery will continue, he stated, because scientists hope that it might not be the only unique finding.

During the 8th century, the Slavic tribes inhabiting the Russian steppes were importing conical hats from Asia. Over the next century, local blacksmiths learned to make similar protective equipment,

While the most solid and expensive examples were made for princes and noblemen, the teardrop helmet’s practical design led to its implementation across the vast territory of the nascent Russian state, from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

The newly found helmet, apart from its exceptional state of preservation, is very similar to the Slavic teardrop warrior helmets, which have been discovered not only in Ukraine, but also in the Greater Poland Voivodeship in the territory of present-day Poland.

Preserved specimens do not differ significantly in shape or decoration. All date from the 10th to the 11th centuries, they have a conical bell-shape consisting of four riveted iron plates, the bottom edge of which has a rim with characteristic decorative trim or tiara on the front.

Copper slats adorned the joints between the plates. Decorative rosettes usually embellished the side of the helmet's outer side, and a special aperture for a decorative plume, mostly made of horsehair or feathers, crowned the tip of the helmet. The helmet was typically fitted with an aventail skirting of chain mail to protect the wearer’s neck and shoulders. The iron bell was often coated with copper-plated sheet metal for greater decorativeness, the decorative rosettes were silver-plated.

Source: Deník.cz [April 12, 2019]