After Its Discovery In 2020, A 1,500-Year-Old Set Of Lorica Squamata Armor Was Fully Restored
Turkish Ministry of CultureThe fully restored Lorica Squamata armor, which was once worn by a Roman soldier.
In 2020, archaeologists in Satala in Türkiye unearthed a rare example of Lorica Squamata, a type of Roman “scale armor” that dates back 1,500 years.
This armor, worn by high-ranking officers and cavalry during the Late Roman Period, was made from iron or bronze plates sewn onto leather or cloth. After its discovery, the armor was transferred to the Erzurum Regional Restoration and Conservation Laboratory for restoration.
Turkish Ministry of CultureThe mud-caked armor at the time of its discovery.
There, researchers used X-rays and CT scans to study its structure and reveal important details about its craftsmanship. Over the course of three years, they carefully restored and conserved each plate of the armor.
The team reassembled the armor on a mannequin, showcasing its original form for the first time in centuries. The armor’s remarkable condition offered valuable insight into Roman military technology. And perhaps most incredible, it remains the only surviving example of its kind.
Collapsing Castle Walls On The Welsh Coast Revealed Numerous Human Remains
Wikimedia CommonsThe cliffs along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, where many human remains have been found.
In April 2024, hikers in South Wales stumbled upon human remains near the ruins of Dunraven Castle, following the collapse of part of a castle wall.
Experts said at the time that the remains could date back centuries, and the remains were possibly tied to shipwreck victims from the 16th to 18th centuries, as the nearby Bristol Channel was once a major trade route and shipwrecks were common. Archaeologists noted that coastal erosion in the area had previously revealed other human remains and artifacts, and this latest find only added further to the historical mysteries of the region.
Wikimedia CommonsThe remains of Dunraven Castle.
The human remains were sent off to be analyzed, hopefully to determine their age and origins, with further investigations planned for the future.
Given the ongoing coastal erosion, archaeologists anticipated that more hidden remnants of the past would emerge later on. Thankfully, the soil in the region is particularly good at preserving bones, so future investigations could potentially reveal remains that are thousands of years old.
A 200-Year-Old Message In A Bottle Was Found At The Site Of An Ancient Gaulish Village
Guillaume BlondelThe rolled-up note found near Dieppe, France.
In September 2024, student archaeologists excavating an ancient Gaulish village near Dieppe, France made an unexpected discovery: a 200-year-old message sealed inside of a small glass bottle. The bottle was described by local archaeologist Guillaume Blondel as “a salt bottle like the ones women wore around their necks to breathe in to prevent fainting in their tight bodices,” and the message inside was rolled up and tied with a string.
The note, dated to 1825, was written by P.J. Féret, a French archaeologist who had previously excavated the same site, known as Caesar’s Camp. In his message, Féret documented his exploration of the area. The note read:
“P.J. Féret, a native of Dieppe, member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825. He continues his investigations in this vast area known as the Cité de Limes or Caesar’s Camp.”
Guillaume BlondelP.J. Féret’s message in a bottle.
The discovery was of special importance, too, as government organizations in Normandy have noted that the site is one of many “threatened by the retreat of the coastline.” Sadly, much of it has already disappeared.
