A treasure trove of metal artifacts, including bronze-Roman military helmets in “extraordinary preservation,” were recovered from the Mediterranean bottom, researchers say.
The helmet may have been lost in the Battle of the Egadi Islands in the first Ponic Wars of 241 BC (also known as the Aegas Islands).
In August 2024, a team of association divers for documents on submerged sites discovered helmets along with around 30 other metal artifacts while investigating the area in which ancient battles occurred, according to a translated statement issued on September 5 by the Sicily Regional Government.
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“The ‘Monte for Four Me’ helmet is one of the most beautiful and completely complete things that have ever been recovered,” said Francesco Paolo Scalpineto, Regional Councillor of Cultural Heritage, in a statement.
This style of helmet was introduced to the Romans by the Celts and was a popular armor choice from the 4th to the 1st century BC. There was also a projection bill that looked like a modern baseball cap, with hinged plates on the cheeks. At least six other helmets have been recovered from the Egadi Islands and are believed to be linked to the Ponic Wars.
On March 10th, 241 BC, the ancient city-state of Carthage (located in modern-day Tunis, Tunisia) and Rome engaged in the Battle of the Aegeans, the Latin name of the islands off the west coast of Sicily. According to the ancient historian Polibius, the Carthaginians outweighed the Romans, but the Romans were better trained and defeated them. As a result, Carthage surrendered Sicily, and the first Ponic War ended 23 years later.
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Last year, Roman “pole” – the naval abuse ram that had been attached to the warship’s bow – was also cleaned and studied. This revealed a new inscription linking RAM with the Roman magistrate Gaius Sulpisius Garus during the first Ponic Wars.
Using CT scans, researchers investigated about 30 newly discovered metal artifacts covered in rust and identified swords, spears and javelins that appear to be used in the battle in 241 BC. The metal object could have floated in the sea after the Roman ship was captured by the Cartaginians.
Several Montefolfor helmets have been previously discovered along with naval abuse rams near the Egadi Islands. Archaeologist William Murray told Live Science in 2019 that Cartaginian soldiers who captured the Roman ship may have dumped heavy equipment overboard in a futile attempt to escape the Roman navy. However, according to Murray, another possibility is that the Cartaginians hired Gaur and Iberian mercenaries, known to have worn Montefortino helmets.
“This was the most common type of helmet of the time,” Jeffrey Royal, an independent archaeologist who wasn’t involved in the new research but found some similar helmets from the fight against supporters, told Live Science in an email. “The great thing about this is that the cheeks look like they’ve found it. Most of us were scattered around,” Royal said.
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