Hello,

I haven't seen this posted and thought some of you may be interested.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/...y-science/

Cheers!

Yet another pile of Roman leather artefacts to add to the already massive stack that still doesn't include any pieces of leather armour.* :evil:


* Dura Europos being the sole exception.

Dan: "Dura Europos being the sole exception."

Ah, but could the exception prove the rule?


Paul

Ha, spit out that bitter pill, Dan! Did you notice the comment at the bottom of the page asking if there was a peer-reviewed publication, yet? Sure, come back in about 10 years... Shoes are cool, though, so it's neat to see more of them show up.

Matthew

"SOLE exception" :lol:

Mr. Dan Howard,

I haven't read through the entire lengthy leather armor debate thread yet, but I was wondering what your thoughts might be about the article of apparel the Sutton Hoo shoulder clasps must have been attached to. Armor of some sort? If not leather, then textile? Or perhaps not armor at all? The series of loops on the back of these pieces suggests they were stitched to something, so I assume from this and from what I have read either textile or leather and thought I would inquire what your thoughts were about this (if they are to be found in another thread already, then a link would be appreciated, if possible).

Thanks in advance for your opinions :)

Edit: Oh yes, since this question is totally off the topic of this thread (the shoes) feel free to PM or anything if inclined. Probably should have PM-ed this question to begin with, but already posted...

I'm not Dan, but I often share his brain! The use of the Sutton Hoo clasps has been discussed at least once, maybe in these threads:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=12914

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=23040

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=16419

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=18772

Bottom line, there *was* leather in that grave, but whether the clasps were associated with it is apparently a bit vague. Building that into some type of functional leather armor is speculative. I like Paul Mortimer's interpretation, but I'd also be happy just using them as baldric clasps.

Matthew

Mr. Amt,

Thank you very much for the links! I was only able to find one actual reference in them to the purpose of the clasps and what type of garment they were attached to (this was Mr. Mortimer's layered linen overtunic) and this was very brief--however the wealth of information contained in these threads made for some excellent reading :)

Since it seems this specific subject has not been thoroughly discussed yet, I am going to start a topic on it, and begin with my thought, after which the knowledge on the subject that many forumites hopefully possess can be added.