decorated iron roman cavalry parade helmet originally covered sheet silver decorated places gold leaf discovered near member found coins area investigation professional archaeologists discovered site appeared large scale shrine years conservation restoration undertaken experts supported grant helmet permanent display market alongside artefacts treasure found shattered thousands pieces heavily helmet bears evidence original finely decorated design silver decorated images equestrian scenes roman auxiliary displays possibly battle identity owner known helmet discovered native british ceremonial site buried alongside thousands iron age british roman coins possible helmet owned fought alongside romans conquest britain description interpretation helmet example piece roman ceremonial cavalry helmet sheet iron covered silver sheet partly decorated gold leaf helmets worn roman auxiliary displays known worn battle despite relative lavish decoration horses riders wore decorated clothes armour performing feats historical legendary battles wars greeks roman helmet found britain silver plating attached helmet originally attached holes ear guards prominent shape similar 3rd century discovered near cleveland rear helmet bowl descended form case roman cavalry helmets decorated closest parallel terms overall appearance helmet found germany like example silver iron crown central figure flowers number similar features survived bowl decorated laurel edged elaborate centre heavily damaged bust woman flanked lions identity unclear empress goddess reminiscent depictions mater great mother image promote values period decades helmet deposited depiction number features common art shape silver ears decorated scrolling leaf pattern detached found helmet bowl remains seventh needed found pin bent forcibly removed possibly sustained damage later date unclear accompanying helmet possible helmet appearance different occasions alternatively intended event damage surviving elaborate equestrian scenes depicts triumph roman emperor horseback holding arm air crowned laurel goddess victoria victory depicted emperor horse preserved depicts possibly middle eastern figure holding large roman helmet shield helmet found iron age roman coins dating largest coins found britain buried appears pre roman shrine large scale animal taken place nearly bone fragments found site cent pigs appear buried meat eaten suggesting offerings site located appears encircled boundary ditch possible way leading roman times located territory inhabited area stretching lincolnshire unusual find helmet type native ceremonial site probably close date conquest britain makes earliest roman helmets found britain british examples later date found isolation away settlements cases roman sites helmet suggestions forward helmet ended owned served roman cavalry diplomatic gift romans captured war according explanation likely probably situation local fighting roman roman cavalry time recruited native allies italians suggesting fought alongside romans carried conquest britain discovery restoration helmet discovered year old retired teacher amateur archaeologist members found fragments roman pottery hill near visited site second hand metal late afternoon found coins buried series small pits dug clay found artifact left ground overnight following day returned examine discovery found silver ear reported find county archaeologist called site dig took place spring helmet fragile excavated removed block earth held plaster paris taken london conservation took years work colleagues effects time shattered helmet thousands pieces smaller nail person little finger reconstructed helmet unveiled january able raise million buy entire pay conservation helmet assistance donations gave grant charities helmet valued terms treasure act landowner awarded helmet permanent public display end january miles site found alongside objects found
Hallaton Helmet