Medieval Helmets Mistaken for Roman Junk: Largest Spanish Find Re-dated

What was once thought to be Roman scrap metal recovered from the seabed near Benicarló, Spain, has been re-evaluated and identified as the most substantial hoard of medieval helmets ever found in the region. The discovery, made by local fishermen in 1990, initially led experts to believe they had unearthed Roman artifacts due to their proximity to Roman amphorae and bronze helmets. However, subsequent scientific analysis has corrected this assumption, placing the helmets firmly in the Late Middle Ages.

A Correction Decades in the Making

The initial assessment of the find, which included two large metal blocks pulled from the sea, was based on association with other Roman-era items. This method of dating by proximity, while common in archaeology, can lead to significant errors if not corroborated by absolute dating techniques. Almost four decades later, a new study has revealed that these iron helmets are approximately 1,500 years younger than originally believed.

The Key to Re-dating: Textile Remnants

The breakthrough in re-dating the helmets came from remnants of textile material found inside some of the iron headpieces. These fabrics were preserved due to their adhesion and sealing within marine concretions, protecting them from decay. Radiocarbon dating of these textiles provided the crucial evidence for the revised timeline. The study identified at least 43 helmets, now believed to belong to the Late Middle Ages, fused together by corrosion.

Significance of the Find

With 43 identified examples, the collection is now recognized by the University of Alicante as the largest known assembly of medieval helmets recovered from Spanish waters and the western Mediterranean. The helmets are also considered a rare find according to the research team. They represent equipment for infantry soldiers, not elite units, and were likely produced in smaller workshops and distributed through secondary or regional markets. This predates the widespread standardization of plate armor seen in later European periods.

The re-evaluation of this find serves as a compelling case study in archaeological dating, highlighting the potential for misinterpretation when relying solely on associative evidence. It underscores the importance of employing absolute dating methods to confirm such discoveries.

Historical Context and Potential Use

The revised dating of the helmets aligns with a period of significant instability along the Valencian coast. Research indicates that Islamic piracy evolved from sporadic raids to a structural threat from the mid-14th century onwards, prompting the fortification of the coast with watchtowers and the mobilization of local militias. In this context, a shipment of inexpensive infantry helmets could have been intended for troops of the Kingdom of Valencia, mercenary companies, or municipal militias.

These helmets predate the 15th-century standardization of plate armor in Europe, a period when workshops in Lombardy and Milan began to dominate large-scale production. Before this era, armor designs varied considerably by region.

Dating Methods and Findings

Samples from the helmets were sent to two independent laboratories for dating: one in Miami and another in Mannheim, utilizing accelerator mass spectrometry. Four out of the five datations placed the helmets between the third quarter of the 14th century and the early 15th century. A fifth dating produced a later result, suggesting a potential anomaly or later contamination. The textile material was identified as a simple plain weave fabric, likely used as a lining or padding within the helmets.

Origin and Unanswered Questions

The precise origin of the helmets remains open to further investigation. They could have been manufactured locally on the Iberian Peninsula or arrived via trade routes in the western Mediterranean, which were then heavily influenced by workshops in northern Italy. The Crown of Aragon, with Valencia as a significant center for arms production and export, maintained active trade with Genoese merchants operating in its ports.

The outlier dating result is being considered as potentially indicative of seabed contamination rather than extended use or refurbishment of the helmet lining. Similarly, while piracy is a plausible reason for the loss of the cargo, it remains a reasonable assumption rather than a definitively proven cause.

Key facts

This re-evaluation of a decades-old discovery highlights the evolving nature of archaeological science and the impact of new technologies on historical understanding. For readers interested in AI and technology, the application of precise scientific dating methods to correct historical assumptions demonstrates how advanced analytical tools, akin to those used in data science, can refine our knowledge of the past.

Source: Unos pescadores de Benicarló creyeron pescar chatarra romana: era el mayor lote de cascos medievales hallado en España – Xataka (https://www.xataka.com/magnet/unos-pescadores-benicarlo-creyeron-pescar-chatarra-romana-era-mayor-lote-cascos-medievales-hallado-espana)