Archaeologists have studied a remarkably preserved piece of Roman chainmail, originally discovered in 2012 in Germany, shedding light on how Roman soldiers repaired their armor for combat readiness.
Recently dated to the 2nd-3rd centuries CE, the chainmail was analyzed using advanced imaging techniques, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
As the Roman Empire expanded, military units were stationed further from repair workshops, necessitating reliance on local craftsmen. The large block of chainmail, found in a small settlement outside a Roman legionary fort, illuminates this previously unknown aspect of Roman military resourcefulness, which spanned an area of 1.9 million square miles.
Dr. Martijn Wijnhoven from the Czech Academy of Sciences stated, "This is the first clear evidence that chainmail was repaired outside of a Roman military installation."
Using X-rays and high-resolution CT scanning, archaeologists examined the metal piece without causing damage. They identified not just one, but four different chainmail layers.
The findings revealed that over time, two nearly complete layers of chainmail had rusted and fused with two fragmentary sections, forming a composite that dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE.
The researchers suggest that the Roman army recycled metal gear in various ways, but the intricate linked rings of chainmail prevented it from being melted down. Instead, they likely repurposed chainmail similarly to textiles, using worn-out pieces as "donors" for patches and repairs on other operational armor.
Since the piece was found in a settlement near a Roman fort, it indicates that the army collaborated with local artisans who could repair the chainmail. This suggests that military provisioning in the Roman Empire was not uniform; soldiers adapted as necessary, reusing their gear when required.