Topic: History

Scientists have reexamined a collection of helmets found off the coast of Spain and discovered that they are actually medieval, not Roman. This finding provides new insights into the movement of weapons and trade across the Mediterranean during the Late Middle Ages.

For over 30 years, archaeologists believed a remarkable collection of helmets recovered from the waters off Spain was from Roman times. However, new research has overturned this assumption, revealing that the artifacts are actually medieval. This discovery provides rare insight into the movement of weapons, trade, and military activity across the Mediterranean during the Late Middle Ages.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Alicante (UA), reexamined 43 helmets discovered in 1990 at the underwater archaeological site of Piedras de la Barbada near Benicarló on Spain's eastern coast. The findings, published in the Cambridge University Press journal Antiquity, show that the helmets were manufactured between the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

The discovery itself happened by accident. Local fishermen pulled up two large masses of metal that had become fused together through centuries of marine corrosion after snagging them in their nets. Inside the concreted blocks was an extraordinary cache of iron helmets. Although archaeologists believe the original shipment may have contained even more pieces, the surviving collection of 43 helmets already represents the largest known hoard of medieval helmets ever found in the western Mediterranean.

The significance of this find extends well beyond the artifacts themselves. According to Raimon Graells, a lecturer at the University of Alicante and co-author of the study, 'We are looking at direct evidence of large-scale arms trading. This discovery reveals a network of exchange and communication that was far more complex than previously thought.'

Why It Matters

This discovery provides new insights into the movement of weapons and trade across the Mediterranean during the Late Middle Ages. It also highlights the importance of underwater archaeology in uncovering hidden treasures and rewriting history.

Key Facts

• The helmets were originally believed to be from Roman times, but new research revealed they are actually medieval.
• The study reexamined 43 helmets discovered in 1990 at an underwater archaeological site off the coast of Spain.
• The helmets were manufactured between the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
• The discovery represents the largest known hoard of medieval helmets ever found in the western Mediterranean.
• The find provides evidence of large-scale arms trading and a network of exchange and communication across the Mediterranean.

Key Terms

Medieval

Referring to the Middle Ages, roughly from the 5th century to the 15th century

Implications

This discovery provides new insights into the movement of weapons and trade across the Mediterranean during the Late Middle Ages. It also highlights the importance of underwater archaeology in uncovering hidden treasures and rewriting history.