The Netherlands: Roman helmet found - might have been an offering

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Source (Dutch only): Romeinse helm gevonden bij opgravingen in Nieuwegein

NOS News - Regional news - today, 09:51 AM
Roman helmet found during excavations in Nieuwegein


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The helmet was discovered in a block of clay
- Image: Restaura


During excavations at Het Klooster industrial estate in Nieuwegein, a Roman helmet dating from the period 50 to 100 AD has been found.

The helmet is embedded in a lump of clay and was discovered with an X-ray. "It's completely compressed. It is now in a lab where it is very carefully picked apart," says archaeologist Roosje de Leeuwe to RTV Utrecht (news article in Dutch).

This type of helmet was once worn by foot soldiers in the Roman army. Nine have been found in the Netherlands so far. Three of them were located in the old Rhine basin. The intention is that the helmet will be restored and exhibited.

Ritual

According to the archaeologist the location of the find is particularly special. The helmet lay in a pit next to some broken pottery. "In Roman times, this was an outside area where there were cows," says De Leeuwe. The pit was probably a drinking spot. "So what are one of those helmets and two broken pots doing there? That's very intriguing. We think it involves a ritual."

One possibility is that the helmet was left as an offering by a soldier who was at the end of his tour of duty. "As a sort of rite of passage."

The helmet is not the first archaeological find in the area. Last summer De Leeuwe already found a medieval broadsword estimated to be 900 years old. That is exhibited in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden.

In addition, archaeologists previously found 6,000-year-old skeletons in the industrial area.

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Archaeologist Roosje de Leeuwe (right) and the sword found earlier
- Image: RTV Utrecht


Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
 
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