This Roman legionary helmet was discovered on the outskirts of Roman Colchester, at Sheepen. The fragments had been collected in a sack and dumped in a pit in AD 61, after the town had been recaptured at the end of the Boudican revolt.
Roman helmets were particularly effective as defensive armour. They had a broad flange at the back to protect the neck from downwards or slashing blows from a sword, as well as from spears. The ears and the side of the face were protected by deep hinged flaps. The actual helmet covered the whole of the skull. As they were made of iron, these helmets had a leather lining to make them comfortable and to protect the head from jolts. Helmets like the group found at Sheepen are called the 'Imperial-Gallic' type and were developed in the reign of the emperor Augustus (31 BC - AD 14).
