Reconstructing the “Dipylon” Shield. Experimental archaeology, experiential testing and modern...
description
Transcript of Reconstructing the “Dipylon” Shield. Experimental archaeology, experiential testing and modern...
“ “ KORYVANTESKORYVANTES ’’’’Association of Historical Studies
Reconstructing the “Dipylon” Shield
Experimental archaeology,experiential testingand modern educational adaptations
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
Research and construction by
Dimitris KATSIKISResearcher and Re-constructor of ancient weaponrywww.hellenicarmors.com
Study by
Nikolaos KLEISIARISMech. Eng. (MSc, BEng)
Presented by
Christos BOUTSIDISArchaeologist (MA, PhD Candidate)
KORYVANTES Association of Historic [email protected]
Research and construction by
Dimitris KATSIKISResearcher and Re-constructor of ancient weaponrywww.hellenicarmors.com
Study by
Nikolaos KLEISIARISMech. Eng. (MSc, BEng)
Presented by
Christos BOUTSIDISArchaeologist (MA, PhD Candidate)
KORYVANTES Association of Historic [email protected]
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
The Dipylon Shield – a mystery of the late Bronze Age
The Dipylon shield is a massive elliptical shield with 2 characteristic side openings
It exists since mid-Bronze Age alongside Figure-8 and Sakkos body-shields
It is the only Bronze Age body-shield type still in use throughout Geometric Era and into the Archaic Era evolving gradually into the smaller Boetian shield
No full or even partial physical remains have ever been found probably due to its perishable nature
It is attested in artistic depictions over a period of almost 1000 years but these provide few details
It obviously varied in typology ranging from earlier voluminous body-shields down to Boetian-like sizes
Essentially, like most things of the Geometric Era, its nature and type of use remain a mystery
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
Reconstructing a Dipylon Shield – the body shield variant
In late 2011 our Association undertook the first modern systematic attempt of experimentally reconstructing the Dipylon shield
Following study, an earlier body-shield type in use till early Geometric Era was opted for construction
The construction made exclusive use of natural, locally traced materials, and techniques of the era
Built upon the dimensions of the bearer, it measures 1.25m high, 0.90m wide and has a 0.10m radius of curvature covering the quasi-totality of user’s body
Two 3mm layers of cowhide were tied with leather straps at 80 points around a structural wicker frame completed with mulberry lattice and decorated with 1,2mm copper bosses
The construction emphasized on structural strength, it has a minimum thickness of protection of 6mm of leather and it weighs about 11,5 kg
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
Reconstructing a Dipylon Shield – with baldric and double-grip
The interior of the shield was covered in plain natural thick linen to give it a “campaign” outlook
On the upper side openings there was placed a leather baldric for carrying the shield on shoulder
The grip placement was a major issue as there is no evidence in the ancient representations
The single grip seemed more difficult to handle because of weight and width and associated torque
The Boetian-style vertical double-grip did not cater for all range of movements when the baldric is used
Adding an Argive-type double grip was found to be comfortable in handling particularly for baldric use
The shield may be used carried over the shoulder alone; the double grip also allows the bearer to use any of the grips alone if momentarily needed
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
Testing the Dipylon Shield – a body shield in use
A first opportunity for extensive practical testing of the shield appeared during the event for the 2500 years since the Battle of Marathon
The shield was put to a primary set of basic field tests related to portability and general ease of use
In spite of the shield’s weight, the usage of baldric and double-grip renders it fully portable for long
It allows a range of movements including frontal and side positioning with/without usage of baldric as well as enabling javelin throwing
The shield is voluminous, static and inherently less maneuverable than hoplite shields
Usage of spear through the sides is feasible but requires training as it is not as easy as overarm
The side openings were found to be extremely useful for close-combat and usage of sword
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
The Dipylon Shield – overview of the reconstruction
Our reconstructed Dipylon shield aimed at being an impressive full-body shield of considerable strength
The requirement for structural strength while using materials and tooling of the era was a guideline for the overall reconstruction
It is surprisingly portable for its size and weight due to employment of baldric and double grip
Yet, its maneuverability has limitations as is the case for all voluminous, body-size shields
It can be used with an array of weapons ranging from spears and swords to javelins and slings
It provides high levels of protection from missiles, and cutting/thrusting close-combat weapons
Interestingly, the shield’s lattice presents a spring effect that increases the offered protection
The overall testing has provided experience concerning most types of body-shields in general
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
The reconstructed Dipylon Shield – into popularisation!
KORYVANTES Association works hard to develop and maintain effective channels of popularization
Examples are the Association’s participation in numerous documentaries, TV programmes etc.
An indispensable popularization channel is the direct contact with the public and the live presentation of the Association’s work in the field
The latter is done through participation in established Open Air Museum presentations
During these Association presents and promotes its latest work in reconstructing armor and weaponry as well as showcasing their associated usage
The reconstructed Dipylon was publicly presented in the “Gallo-Roman days” 2012 event, an open air archaeological festival of the Gallo-Roman Museum of Saint-Romain-en-Gal in Vienne, Lyons region, France
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
The reconstructed Dipylon Shield – into mass popularisation!
KORYVANTES Association also works hard to find means of reaching the wider public
The video games industry, today bigger than the film industry, is the ideal mass popularization means
Advanced video games such as ROME TOTAL WAR II (RTWII) played by more than 1 million people around the world form an ideal platform
KORYVANTES Association works with RTWII Greek Community in the development of ‘mods’ adding features with historic depth into the game
This collaborative work resulted in the RTWII Greek Community being voted 3nd best ‘mod’ in the world
The team currently works in a Bronze Age theme featuring Mycenaean units and tactics
By all means, the Dipylon shield that is currently being designed is modelled after our reconstruction!
KORYVANTES Association of Historic StudiesKORYVANTES Association of Historic Studies
Research, experiment, construct, experience, communicate...
ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕХВАЛА
THANK YOU
ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕХВАЛА
THANK YOU