tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86548446254475102782024-03-13T10:22:13.867+00:00The Virtual LegionaryTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-62469024386183845552010-01-31T10:47:00.000+00:002010-01-31T10:47:45.207+00:00A Winter ExpeditionDecember saw a return to an old stamping ground, the Taunus Mountains in Germany, during heavy snow.<br />
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A fantastic stretch of Roman frontier works can be traced through the forests, making it an excellent route.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/S2VfWR-KVwI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ZNYGhRpI-ck/s1600-h/14531_101818599846570_100000552924757_47021_1419658_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/S2VfWR-KVwI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ZNYGhRpI-ck/s320/14531_101818599846570_100000552924757_47021_1419658_n.jpg" /></a></div>This time we kept to a short route, up the Feldberg and back... at -20 degrees celsius!<br />
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The clothing has to be well reconstructed to be both authentic and practical. For me this means no synthetics, lots of wool and no cotton, hence the old trekkers adage, <em>'in the hills cotton kills'</em>.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I wore a long sleeved tunic as a base layer, a standard thick woollen tunic as a mid layer, with a linen and felt arming jack, covered by mail and a heavy cloak. Two pairs of woollen socks were worn on the feet, beneath enclosed boots. A needle bound hat was also covered by the cloak. With all this, I was more than adequately warm. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/S2VfctR1qoI/AAAAAAAAAH0/jD8fVnYgWe0/s1600-h/14531_101818606513236_100000552924757_47023_7404813_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/S2VfctR1qoI/AAAAAAAAAH0/jD8fVnYgWe0/s320/14531_101818606513236_100000552924757_47023_7404813_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The only problem area were the legs. The leather breeches were not very warm, and next time I will opt for wool. Shin wraps would also have been beneficial, as my calf muscles were working to climb up a mountain whilst being exposed to sub zero temperatures, and ached for a few days afterwards.</div><br />
We were only out for three hours, but the clothing kept us warm. Some people thought we were mad to have gone out in Roman clothing in these temperatures, however, the clothing was for the most part very practical. <br />
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Wool is all too often an underestimated material, though recent research has shown that it can compete with some of the best synthetics on the market. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5076634.stm">It has even been used to scale Everest...</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/S2VfbH7HaLI/AAAAAAAAAHs/62lJpDiO0ao/s1600-h/14531_101818603179903_100000552924757_47022_7824539_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/S2VfbH7HaLI/AAAAAAAAAHs/62lJpDiO0ao/s320/14531_101818603179903_100000552924757_47022_7824539_n.jpg" /></a></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-35230460485544578642009-11-18T21:10:00.000+00:002009-11-18T21:10:27.544+00:00New ScarfHere is a close up of the material for my new legionary scarf. It was supplied by Cezary Wyszynski of Legio XXI Rapax in Poland. It is hand spun and hand woven.<br />
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I dyed it madder red on the weekend workshop, having pre mordanted it with Alum.<br />
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And here is what inspired it, an original fragment from the Roman military quarry site of Mons Claudianus dating to the Second century AD. It was excavated under my old professor, Valerie Maxfield.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwRiOdG7lkI/AAAAAAAAAHM/HJbqNF5399U/s1600/mons+claudianus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwRiOdG7lkI/AAAAAAAAAHM/HJbqNF5399U/s320/mons+claudianus.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-21995246900618772412009-11-16T21:30:00.001+00:002009-11-16T23:27:59.188+00:00The Thorsbjerg Tunic - Mark 1!This is our first attempt at the sleeved tunic found at Thorsbjerg, Denmark. It likely dates to the 4th/5th century AD. <br />
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</div>All stitching techniques follow the original.<br />
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</div>This reconstruction was made with hand woven natural wool purchased in Afghanistan. The selvedges were kept intact. Mark two tunic will be handwoven tabby and diamond twill, dyed red with madder and will have tablet woven decorative borders, but probably wont appear on this blog for another few months yet!!!<br />
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</div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-31330159881469454882009-11-16T21:16:00.000+00:002009-11-16T21:16:22.848+00:00Dyers WorkshopFive of us met up last weekend for our second dyers workshop, at the Button Family farm in Carmarthenshire.<br />
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Steph's fleeces are alledged to be the 18th best sheep fleece in the UK, so the location was perfect!<br />
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After being introduced to the wool making team, who spent much of the weekend chewing in the adjacent fields, we set to work. The naalbinden cap was a kind present from Miriam Bloema of Archeon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwG9ie-FPLI/AAAAAAAAAGE/J32VKSvCpkU/s1600/DSC01741+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwG9ie-FPLI/AAAAAAAAAGE/J32VKSvCpkU/s320/DSC01741+-+Copy.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>We spent day one on trial pieces with Madder, Marigold, Oak and Weld as dyestuffs, and Alum, Copper, Iron and Tin. Despite the lack of experience, we achieved a pleasing range of fast colours.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwG_489UHFI/AAAAAAAAAGM/yZrtFvm8Rfo/s1600/DSC01723+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwG_489UHFI/AAAAAAAAAGM/yZrtFvm8Rfo/s320/DSC01723+-+Copy.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwHALQOkS9I/AAAAAAAAAGU/-15vkXWEsm4/s1600/DSC01719+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwHALQOkS9I/AAAAAAAAAGU/-15vkXWEsm4/s320/DSC01719+-+Copy.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div>Day two was serious work getting our legionary scarves dyed a nice shade of madder red. I used my diamond twill hand woven wool for this. The results were rather pleasing!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwHAWaQ4kQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-p9F-y1F2tc/s1600/DSC01753+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwHAWaQ4kQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-p9F-y1F2tc/s320/DSC01753+-+Copy.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Next workshop will focus on waterproofing our garments with felting and greasing, I expect we will learn a great deal more.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-86228138873828017352009-11-16T20:50:00.001+00:002009-11-16T20:51:49.585+00:00Clothing Research<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwG694vv_kI/AAAAAAAAAF8/CeJlHv2cbXM/s1600/DSC01774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SwG694vv_kI/AAAAAAAAAF8/CeJlHv2cbXM/s320/DSC01774.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
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Its time to get serious about clothing!<br />
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First comes a great stack of books, which I always establish before making anything new... here is the dining room table full of books I'm going to need if I'm going to improve my kit authentically.<br />
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My aim is to get a full set of clothing done over the winter, in time for the spring, and I'm going to need it too...<br />
Currently we're planning marching up mountains to the highest part of the German Limes, bivouacing in the Brecon Beacons, and tracking boar in the New Forest.... all in period clothing. Its going to need to be more than just looking okay, but work as practical outdoor clothing.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-10725993708077811762009-11-02T10:34:00.001+00:002009-11-13T08:18:42.027+00:00Enemy seen...Here is a fantastic image from Folkert, our indigenous Late Pre Roman Iron Age person. (or 'celt' for the less politically/archaeologically correct!!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Su61lrBQCoI/AAAAAAAAAFA/NnRRNgLo8ko/s1600-h/archeon200907%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Su61lrBQCoI/AAAAAAAAAFA/NnRRNgLo8ko/s320/archeon200907%5B1%5D.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>This impression represents the early La Tene period, which is earlier than our normal era, but was such a good photo I had to include it!<br />
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Image taken by <a href="http://www.flashbangwallopstudios.co.uk/">Janine Janusch and Jim Mulliner</a>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-68506693740599221132009-11-01T23:36:00.001+00:002009-11-01T23:37:16.967+00:00The campaign season closes<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Su4bUfu4JCI/AAAAAAAAAEw/OYjXURTtksI/s1600-h/DSC01539+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Su4bUfu4JCI/AAAAAAAAAEw/OYjXURTtksI/s320/DSC01539+-+Copy.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With the final event of the season, at the Peat Moors Centre in Somerset, the 2009 campaign season is over. It's now time to march back to the drill square and workshops, under the watchful eye of the centurion!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Su4bWAn-R7I/AAAAAAAAAE4/oFXhph9Hec4/s1600-h/DSC01546+Kopie+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Su4bWAn-R7I/AAAAAAAAAE4/oFXhph9Hec4/s320/DSC01546+Kopie+-+Copy.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-988812724870683372009-10-29T18:25:00.000+00:002009-10-29T18:25:52.255+00:00Water bottles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SunclTn8x0I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/5YICB8Dqr9A/s1600-h/i102617164_22441_6%5B1%5D+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SunclTn8x0I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/5YICB8Dqr9A/s320/i102617164_22441_6%5B1%5D+-+Copy.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ultimate fighting machine runs on water, and dehydration sky rockets when soldiers are forced to fight or labour in body armour. That the Roman soldier carried water, or that water would need to be carried for him, is beyond question.<br />
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Unfortunately evidence for the personal carriage of water is not obvious in our era. Contemporary military sculpture does not give any clear hints.<br />
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Some re-enactors choose to use metal containers as these are robust and have been found on Roman sites in Northern Europe. However, we have been unable to provenance such items before the third century AD, and may have been used for oil, not water. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SundSuhr2qI/AAAAAAAAAEY/c-i0kuI2Fp0/s1600-h/ceramic+flask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SundSuhr2qI/AAAAAAAAAEY/c-i0kuI2Fp0/s320/ceramic+flask.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Ceramic water bottles are possible, and although less likely to withstand rough handling can be padded with basketwork or matting, which is evidenced by surviving finds on civilian sites. In our minds however, the key disadvantage to ceramic water bottles is the heavy weight when full. Gourds are possible, and although gourd seeds have been found at the Saalburg Roman fort in Germany, evidence is pretty thin.<br />
Given its light weight, leather seems to be a good alternative. Several fragments of leather water skins have been found at <a href="http://www.palarch.nl/wp-content/veldmeijer_aj_preliminary_report_on_the_leatherwork_from_roman_berenike_egyptian_red_sea_coast_1994_2000_palarchs_journal_of_archaeology_of_egypt_egyptology_1_1_2007.pdf">Roman period sites in Egypt</a>, some of which have early military associations. Interestingly, many of these leather fragments are made from simple intact goatskins, and similar types are still in use in the developing world today. This raises the question as to whether the hide shaped bag on Trajan’s column was intended by the sculptor to represent a water skin. This is at variance with Fuentes’ interpretation that water was carried within a container in the net bag. The reconstruction of just such a water skin, based on fragments from Egypt and Israel, is likely to be a future project for us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuneJQAzJSI/AAAAAAAAAEg/reeSOI6AYAQ/s1600-h/CIMG3708+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuneJQAzJSI/AAAAAAAAAEg/reeSOI6AYAQ/s320/CIMG3708+-+Copy.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-79607645824060908962009-10-29T17:46:00.000+00:002009-10-29T17:46:28.983+00:00Reconstruction: A gladius from Mainz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Here is a reconstruction of a gladius found in Mainz, and is likely to date to the mid to late first century AD. It was formerly in the collection of Axel Guttman, and hints at the type of finds all too often hidden from public knowledge. <br />
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The organic components of the original example have decayed, but have been reconstructed based on better preserved finds from Pompeii.<br />
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Archaeologists have dubbed this pattern the 'Pompeii' type gladius, based on a series of examples excavated from the city. It had become popular by the Flavian era.<br />
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Similar gladii have been found in the UK, but not so complete. A similar locket plate was found in Loughor, Wales, and likely relates to the Second Legion battle group.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SunTHY-OXHI/AAAAAAAAAEA/ApXGJYuc4PQ/s1600-h/sword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SunTHY-OXHI/AAAAAAAAAEA/ApXGJYuc4PQ/s320/sword.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-30468516298308632162009-10-29T12:29:00.001+00:002009-10-29T13:03:21.698+00:00A Shield CoverHere is an old reconstruction I put together about five years ago, I will be making a new batch once we have changed our shield pattern to match the Caerleon find.<br />
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</div>Whilst fragments of the original boards may have perished, there are by contrast a reasonable number of leather shield covers (tegimenta) that have been recovered from archaeological covers. These covers were designed to prevent the shield being soaked when outdoors, and thereby reducing its effectiveness and increasing its weight. Most forms of modern plywood are unsuited to exterior use, the effect of damp on similar material in an age of non polymer glues may well have been much greater. <br />
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These covers were manufactured from vegetable tanned goatskin, and survive fairly well in waterlogged anaerobic conditions, such as ditches and pits below the water table. The majority of published examples are from Germany, Great Britain, Holland and Switzerland, and typically date to the first and second centuries AD. In certain instances, the cover fragments have survived well enough to give an indication of the dimensions of the underlying board. Unfortunately, many covers lack unit inscriptions and we are forced to guess which unit might have had ownership of such equipment.<br />
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This reconstruction is a hybrid of different evidence, using the Dura Europos shield dimensions as a form, with the motifs and stitching techniques copied from finds in Roomburg (NL) and Windisch (CHE)<br />
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</div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-5401785911469469102009-10-29T12:03:00.000+00:002009-10-29T12:03:25.847+00:00Auxiliary Shield Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SumDO3DeFwI/AAAAAAAAADg/pW2V8bxvYKs/s1600-h/reigerschildontwerp02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SumDO3DeFwI/AAAAAAAAADg/pW2V8bxvYKs/s400/reigerschildontwerp02.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
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Our <a href="http://home.kpn.nl/mlz/ledenfolkert.html">Dutch 'celt'; Folkert</a>, has been slaving over a hot computer to develop potential designs for the group's auxilia. Here is one of his proto type designs, and very spectacular it looks too!<br />
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With the society legionary shield design copied from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumphal_Arch_of_Orange">Arch of Orange</a>, it seems appropriate to take our auxiliary motif from the same monument. The carving represents a shield from a frieze depicting arms captured by the Roman army. The shields look similar to auxilia patterns on Trajan's column, but with a greater range of form.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-28994889292558895922009-10-28T23:54:00.003+00:002009-10-29T00:08:13.530+00:00Reconstruction: A dagger from Windisch<p align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujcbmTxiaI/AAAAAAAAADQ/nD0AALvdvpA/s1600-h/SVRome2008+107+-+Copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397806520101603746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujcbmTxiaI/AAAAAAAAADQ/nD0AALvdvpA/s320/SVRome2008+107+-+Copy.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Here is a beautiful reconstruction of a first century AD dagger based on fragments from the legionary base at Vindonissa, modern day Windisch in Switzerland.<br /><br />It is a pattern which despite being highly ornate was relatively commonplace amongst the ranks of the legions, judging from the high frequency of original finds. Similar 'B-type' sheath plates have been excavated at Chester and Usk.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397806516904901682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujcbaZnvDI/AAAAAAAAADI/WnVofXHAVeM/s320/dtail3chelleal3%5B1%5D.png" border="0" /><br /><div>It was commisioned for the group from Erik Koenig.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-70368300788742311092009-10-28T23:37:00.003+00:002009-10-28T23:45:21.496+00:00A wall at Albaniana<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujWmdMTAZI/AAAAAAAAADA/VtmK6YcafP4/s1600-h/IMG_2527+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397800109563117970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujWmdMTAZI/AAAAAAAAADA/VtmK6YcafP4/s400/IMG_2527+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The latest Archeon reconstruction project is looking superb!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It is based on archaeological excavations at Alphen aan den Rijn, Holland.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Leg II Aug celebrated its 1oth consecutive year appearing at the park in 2009.</div><br /><div></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-72083760492044840292009-10-28T23:30:00.003+00:002009-10-28T23:35:47.980+00:00Historical Accuracy Pt 2<div>A friend took this picture of a fellow 'reenactor' in Rome....</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397798518733031522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujVJ242SGI/AAAAAAAAAC4/VEws9pWg5wY/s320/SVRome2008+026+-+Copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>An interesting character, and a useful study of the complete opposite end of the Roman reenactment spectrum. While this gentleman may be coming into the hobby from a very different angle, who's to say he has any less fun?!!</div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-50545580748519115422009-10-28T22:36:00.004+00:002009-10-28T23:01:42.975+00:00Reconstruction: Imperial Gallic Type D Helmet<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujK4d9Q9iI/AAAAAAAAACY/AIyfvq8_63k/s1600-h/1990+LM-M+19.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397787224866616866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujK4d9Q9iI/AAAAAAAAACY/AIyfvq8_63k/s320/1990+LM-M+19.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujK4BIOjAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/dcaEWWPa6q8/s1600-h/fig059%5B2%5D+-+Copy.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397787217127967746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujK4BIOjAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/dcaEWWPa6q8/s320/fig059%5B2%5D+-+Copy.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>My helmet is a reconstruction of <a href="http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/option,com_helmets/task,view/cid,101/Itemid,96/">an example found in Mainz, Germany</a>. It is one of a group of similar finds known as the Imperial Gallic type, or on the continent, the Weisenau pattern. It was a widespread design throughout Roman Europe, and fragments dating from invasion period sites in Britain include examples from Hod Hill and <a href="http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/option,com_helmets/task,view/cid,65/Itemid,96/">Colchester.</a><br /><br /></div><br /><div>This example from Mainz was one of the more finely made examples, with coral inlaid rivets, silver plating and a copper alloy inlaid brow band. Unfortunately it was destroyed in the Second World War by allied bombing. Today only one cheek piece and fragments of the bowl remain.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397787996877178530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SujLlZ67RqI/AAAAAAAAACg/uO3J17GGwik/s320/DSCF3786.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>The reconstruction was made by <a href="http://www.frisius-f.de/Seiten/rekonstruktionen.htm">Simon Empt of Frisius Fecit</a>.</div></div></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-81001873055458071792009-10-28T21:16:00.005+00:002009-10-28T23:37:06.690+00:00Marching on the Limes<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui5tHJGT0I/AAAAAAAAAB4/RJWR0I9loFA/s1600-h/DSC02340+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397768338066001730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui5tHJGT0I/AAAAAAAAAB4/RJWR0I9loFA/s320/DSC02340+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui5s5KaSAI/AAAAAAAAABw/6EDQSOGk7Pg/s1600-h/DSC02305+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397768334313408514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui5s5KaSAI/AAAAAAAAABw/6EDQSOGk7Pg/s320/DSC02305+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>Before deploying to Britain in AD43, the Second Augustan Legion was stationed in Germany. The following images show a recent visit by members of the society t<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui4q0FkwfI/AAAAAAAAABo/nMcQMq6FhY4/s1600-h/DSC02373+-+Copy.JPG"></a>o the original German frontier zone. We had a fine morning walking in full Tiberio-Claudian marching order f<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui4qqK3PII/AAAAAAAAABY/Y2MPlq-XfBI/s1600-h/DSC02340+-+Copy.JPG"></a>rom the <a href="http://www.feldbergkastell.de/">Feldbergkastell</a> to the <a href="http://www.saalburgmuseum.de/">Saalburg.</a> We were guests of Claudia and Stefan Jecke<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui4q7IDPlI/AAAAAAAAABg/uIHvKlhCnhc/s1600-h/DSC02305+-+Copy.JPG"></a>l of <a href="http://www.milites-bedenses.de/index1.htm">Legio XXII Primigenia.</a></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397768336670935890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/Sui5tB8fS1I/AAAAAAAAACA/E299YudZGOg/s320/DSC02373+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-52347135060153098282009-10-28T21:02:00.001+00:002009-10-28T21:07:33.643+00:00Reconstruction Advice - The Military BeltThe military belt is the real symbol of the Roman soldier, it should be flashy and have a genuine 'bling' appearance! Wear yours with pride. Try and go for something that makes you stand out as different, don’t just copy others, this was not a standard issue item. Mixing two or more similar types of plate is fine, just try and make sure they are similar sizes. Make sure you get your plates tinned, or part tinned so as to make raised decoration stand out. Silver is another authentic, yet expensive option. Black niello decoration is fine, where copied from originals, as is cherry red enamel, where copied.<br /><br /> It makes sense to buy the plates separately and mount them yourself, or get another society member to do it for you, so you can save money. There is good evidence for red dyed leather. A growing school of thought is pushing for the leather to be constructed from at least two stitched pieces, as opposed to one thick piece. Aprons can be of four to eight separate strips. Some early variants of aprons were made by splitting the body of the main belt into separate strips which passed through the buckle. This style was still being used by standard bearers in our era.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-913166634651971892009-10-28T20:16:00.008+00:002009-10-28T20:57:24.783+00:00Making a Box<div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisAUKVTbI/AAAAAAAAAAs/bLNJz_nsGQQ/s1600-h/DSC00977+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397753274815565234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisAUKVTbI/AAAAAAAAAAs/bLNJz_nsGQQ/s200/DSC00977+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This post shows the beginning of a new project - a box copied from <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.augustaraurica.ch/aktuell/mitaug/kaestchen-g.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.augustaraurica.ch/aktuell/mitaug/2001-04-20.htm&usg=__WIDDrx_qo6sBROcPXrWtu82qE6g=&h=454&w=450&sz=39&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=76Na">original pieces </a>found in Augst, Switzerland.</div><div align="left"><br />We haven't decided quite what it will be used for yet, but the design was just too much fun not too copy. The piece features a cheerful looking duck on the bronze top plate.<br /><br />I'll post some more pictures when we're done.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><p align="left"></p><p align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisBC9XTZI/AAAAAAAAABE/gwsVyYFZP2g/s1600-h/DSC00969+-+Copy.JPG"></a></p><p align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisBC9XTZI/AAAAAAAAABE/gwsVyYFZP2g/s1600-h/DSC00969+-+Copy.JPG"></a></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisAubHxcI/AAAAAAAAAA0/eoTSPQO4j1E/s1600-h/DSC00907+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397753281865303490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisAubHxcI/AAAAAAAAAA0/eoTSPQO4j1E/s200/DSC00907+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisA0xKv6I/AAAAAAAAAA8/GX5NN-BuDY8/s1600-h/DSC00956+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397753283568385954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisA0xKv6I/AAAAAAAAAA8/GX5NN-BuDY8/s200/DSC00956+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisBC9XTZI/AAAAAAAAABE/gwsVyYFZP2g/s1600-h/DSC00969+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397753287377636754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p0n4dLLLy1w/SuisBC9XTZI/AAAAAAAAABE/gwsVyYFZP2g/s200/DSC00969+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8654844625447510278.post-10446419707423161672009-10-28T19:51:00.002+00:002009-10-28T19:57:04.243+00:00Historical AccuracyThe study of Roman military equipment is truly immense, and has been likened to putting together a 10,000 piece puzzle, of which we only have 100 pieces! The truth is that while it is easy to compare the army of ancient Rome with modern armies, we tend to apply far too many modern concepts and assumptions to our image of Rome’s soldiers.<br /><br /> This is no less true in terms of uniform. Even in first world industrial age armies, both personal and issued equipment, particularly in the field, is incredibly varied. All kind of factors come into play, such as budget, regulations, environment, tasking, troop type, local market, experience and simple personal taste. We cannot even assume the Roman army even had the same concept of uniformity as us. This is well reflected in the archaeological record, as every new item of equipment studied is often at least subtly different to the last, and in many cases, radically different. Variation occurs both geographically and chronologically.<br /><br /> As re-enactors, living historians or enthusiasts we are limited in the accuracy of our presentations not just by our resources, in terms of time and money, but also our knowledge. As a wise Greek once said, the more you learn the less you know! This is no less true of our knowledge. Further archaeological finds seem to create more questions than they answer. Only with increasing familiarity with the original finds and source material, is it obvious how little has survived 2000 years. <br /><br /> So how did they light fires? What exactly did they eat? What did they sleep on? What did their cloth look like? How did they make their shields? What stopped their armour from rusting away? Who made all their armour? These are all questions which we may be asked at shows, or may even be asking ourselves!! In many cases there are no definitive answers. We can make educated guesses, but again this must rely on having at least having some familiarity with the original evidence; artistic, sculptural and archaeological… the raw facts.<br /><br /> The difficulty is that getting hold of this knowledge is tricky at best. The prime evidence is often hidden away in remote museums and university libraries, and is awkward to get hold of. Extensive research can be expensive, time consuming, and occasionally fruitless. <br /><br /> Accuracy for us, in laymen’s terms, is copying something that somewhere lies in a museum display case or archive, within millimetres, rather than centimetres.<br /><br /> Despite the attestations of innumerable vendors, it is a struggle to find any item which is 100% authentic. To be so, it would need to be hand forged/ smelted/ hand spun/ authentically dyed/ hand woven/ and have the same chemical composition as the original item. It is impossible to expect such a level of authenticity for what is after all, a weekend hobby, and accept that compromises must be made. It is the level of compromise that must be decided, measured against current archaeological evidence.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09007820101615450113noreply@blogger.com