A metal artefact treasure, including a bronze Roman A military helmet in an “extraordinary preservation state” has been recovered from the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, according to researchers.
The helmet was probably lost in the Battle of the Egadi Islands (also known as Aegates Islands) in the first Punic War in 241 BC
In August 2024, a team of divers from the Company for the documentation of submerged sites discovered the helmet, as well as approximately 30 other metal artefacts, while investigating in the area where the old battle occurred, according to a translated declaration published on September 5 by the Sicilian regionThe Regional Government of Sicily.
“The” Montefortino “helmet is one of the most beautiful and most complete ever recovered”, ” Francesco Paolo Scarpinatosaid the regional cultural heritage councilor in the press release.
This style of helmet was introduced to the Romans by the Celts And was a choice of popular armor between the fourth century BC in the first century, in particular, the Montefortino style helmet has a small button on the top where the plumes were attached. He also had a projecting bill, such as a modern baseball hat and rubbing plates. At least Six other helmets The Egadi Islands were recovered and would also be associated with the Battle of Punic War.
On March 10, 241 BC, the ancient town in the city of Carthage (located in modern Tunis, Tunisia) and Rome were committed to the Battle of Aegates, the Latin name of the islands off the west coast of Sicily. According to the ancient historian PolybAlthough the Carthaginians had the idea more than the Roman army, the Romans were better trained and defeated them. As a result, Carthage went to Sicily and the First Punic War ended after 23 years.
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Last year, a Roman “rostrum” – a naval ram This would have been attached to the bow of a warship – was also cleaned and studied. This revealed a new inscription connecting the RAM to Gaius Sulpicius Gallus, a Roman magistrate during the First Punic War.
When researchers used CT scans To investigate about 30 newly discovered metallic artifacts covered with rust, they identified swords, spears and javelots which, according to them, were used in the battle of 241 BC. Metal objects may have found themselves in the sea after a Roman ship was captured by the Carthaginians.
Several Montefortino helmets have already been discovered with naval rams near the Egadi Islands. Archaeologist William Murray Live science in 2019 That the Carthaginian soldiers who captured a Roman ship abandoned the heavy equipment over board in a vain attempt to escape the Roman navy. But another possibility, according to Murray, is that the Carthaginians employed mercenaries from Gaul and Iberia, who are also known for having worn Montefortino helmets.
“It was the most common type of helmet at the time”, ” Jeffrey RoyalAn independent archaeologist who was not involved in the new research but who found several similar helmets of the Battle of Aegates, told Live Science in an email. “The great thing about it is that it seems that the pieces of cheek were found with it; most of the ours were dispersed,” said Royal.
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