An incredibly rare piece of Roman armour, which was recently reconstructed from dozens of fragments, is now being displayed in its entirety for the first time in Scotland.
The brass arm guard, dating back to the mid-second century, represents the most well-preserved example of its type and is one of only three known to exist within the entire Roman Empire. The armour was unearthed in more than 100 pieces at the Trimontium fort site near Melrose in 1906. It remains in exceptional condition, with traces of leather straps still affixed to the metal.
Conservators in Edinburgh spent weeks rebuilding the arm guard earlier this year in preparation for its loan to the British Museum’s exhibition Legion: Life in the Roman Army. On 16 October it went on permanent display in the Early People gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.
Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistoric & Roman Archaeology at National Museums Scotland, said:
“This is a rare and special object, and I’m delighted that it is now on permanent display in the National Museum of Scotland for our visitors to enjoy. Brass armour like this would have been expensive and would have acted as both a means of protection and an eye-catching status symbol. The arm guard is displayed alongside a well-preserved section of iron body armour uncovered in the same building of the fort, and together they offer a tantalising glimpse into the life of a legionary in Roman Scotland.”
The fragments have been part of the collection at National Museums Scotland for more than a hundred years. Prior to their complete reconstruction, the upper portion was exhibited at the National Museum of Scotland for a duration of 25 years, while the lower portion was loaned to the Trimontium Museum, with numerous fragments housed at the National Museums Collection Centre.
The arm guard extends from the shoulder and culminates in a slender square of metal designed to shield the wearer’s hand, a design potentially influenced by the armour used by gladiators in combat. Initially, experts speculated that it served as body armour, and later considered it to be a thigh guard for cavalry. It is only in recent years that its actual purpose has been accurately identified.
