Ribchester Helmet: A rare “facemask” helmet worn by Roman cavalry officers 1,900 years ago

In 1796, a boy running around in the fields behind his home in Ribchester, England, discovered a treasure trove of more than 30 metal artifacts in a hollow. The most unique and impressive item among the treasures was a bronze helmet with a face mask, dating from the early Roman Empire.

The Ribchester Helmet entered the collection of the British Museum in 1813 and has been on display ever since. The helmet consists of two main parts. A helmet bowl decorated with martial arts scenes and a mask in the shape of a young man’s face. Each part of the mask weighs a total of 2.9 pounds (1.3 kilograms). This is one of only three helmets with face masks ever found in Roman Britain.

The bowl of the helmet depicts a battle scene that appears to have taken place between 6 cavalrymen and 11 infantrymen. Although outnumbered, the cavalry appears to have the upper hand, as two infantrymen lie dead. The bowl of the helmet also depicts two palmettos, symbolizing victory, as well as a shield and a spear representing the armor taken from the enemy. A hole in the nape of the neck suggests that a streamer was once attached to the helmet.

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Above the face mask, the young man is expressionless and has no beard. The curls of his hair transform into four snake heads. This is probably a visual reference to the myth of Medusa and the Gorgon, which can also be found in other Roman military equipment. A crown in the form of a “corona mural” is placed on the young man’s hair. Shaped like a city wall, this crown was one of the highest forms of Roman military decoration. However, this mask has very small eye and nostril holes, making it impractical to wear in combat.

In a 2019 study published in the journal Arms and Armor, archaeologists Jamie Kaminsky and David Sim explained the Ribchester helmet’s purpose as specialized equipment worn during hipica gymnasia (cavalry tournaments), a type of military exercise that doubled as entertainment for troops and visiting dignitaries.

“Events included mock battles between the unit’s elite riders, in which both men and horses were often decked out in flamboyant gear disguised as Greeks, Trojans, or Amazons,” Kaminski and Sim write.

It is believed that this helmet was once stored in a box or box with the rest of military equipment near the Roman fortress Bremetennacum Veteranorum, located in the present village of Ribchester, for future use or for scrap purposes. The fort was abandoned in the late 2nd century and its treasures were likely forgotten until a curious boy excavated it sometime in the 17th century.

For more amazing archaeological discoveries, check out our Astonishing Artifacts archive.