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User:Rb0327/Scale armour

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Equine Scale Armor

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Ancient Western Asia

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Archaeological Findings

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Horse Armor found at Dura-Europos, photo from Yale University Art Gallery

At the ancient site of Dura-Europos, there were two full sets of scale armor for horses found during archaeology excavations. These sets of armor were determined to be from the Roman occupation of the city in the 3rd century CE. They were found in Tower 19, a defensive tower on the edge of the city, after destruction and fire due to defensive tactics. They were folded, one with an arrowhead still in it, and very well preserved.[1] These horse "trappers"-- a term used in Simon James' excavation report[1]-- were made of a textile base covered by a layer of metal scales, one with iron and one with bronze. Seeing as the armor sets were found within the city walls, they are assumed to have belonged to the Romans. However, the style of armor is tied the the Sasanian Empire so there is some confusion as to who the armor belonged to. Also found at Dura-Europos were drawings, or graffiti, that depecited scale armor on horses and cavalrymen.[1]

Graffito of Clibanarius, Excavated by the Yale-French Excavations at Dura-Europos (block M8, Christian Building)


References

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  1. ^ a b c James, Simon (2004). The Excavations at Dura-Europos conducted by Yale University and the French Academy of Inscriptions and Letters 1928 to 1937. Final Report VII: The Arms and Armour and other Military Equipment. Oxbow Books. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-84217-371-8.