Archaeologists analyzing fragments of bronze recovered near Brno, the Czech Republic, made an astonishing discovery. This is the second time an ancient bronze armor has been discovered in this country.
In 2023, the metal detector reported finding a cache of objects containing the head, sickle, needles and several copper fragments. According to a translated statement from the Brno City Museum, it was intentionally damaged and buried, perhaps as part of the ceremony.
However, it took experts two years to study the curious cuseful parts of folded metal recovered from the site.
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“We were able to use 3D scans to digitally ‘unpack’ the bent sheet metal and identify its shape and decoration,” said Aleš Navrátil, an archaeologist at the Brno City Museum, in a statement. “It was a recognized ornament under a microscope and we confirmed it was part of the body protective armor.”
The armor dates back to the late Bronze Age (1600-1200 BC), a period associated with the Trojan War and the social collapse of the Mediterranean. At the time, bronze armor was used by the Elite Warriors, but it is possible that non-elite soldiers were wearing protective clothing made from organic materials that were not preserved over time.
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The bronze chest plates were “very rare and valuable, and their discoveries were unexpected,” the museum said. For this reason, the exact location where the artifact was found has not been publicly announced.
“The findings confirm the importance of long-term cooperation between experts and the public. This is important for our museum,” ZbyněKšolc, director of the Brno City Museum, said in a statement. “It allows us to approach ancient times and discover and protect valuable artifacts that bring us new knowledge of our history.”
The Brno City Museum is currently preparing a new exhibition, allowing the public to see the armor and learn more about the Bronze Age military culture of Central Europe.
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