Cascos utilizados por los pueblos de las estepas euroasiáticas en la época de los Escitas y de los Sármatas

Abstract

The helmet appeared in the steppes of Eurasia at the end of the second mill. BC. The helmets were cast and seem to follow Chinese helmets of the Shang-Yin time. This type of helmet reached eastern Europe in the first centuries of the first mill. BC. A new development was the armoured cap of felt with iron casted scales.It was developed by the Skythians under the impression of the Assyrian scale armour which they met during their invasion in Near East. Three Assyrian pointed helmets were found in northern Caucasia and might be booty or bought by the Cimmerians or the Skythians in the Seventh or sixth century BC. During the fifth and fourth centuries the Greeks sold several types of helmets to the Skythians. Thrakian helmets might have been won during wars on the Balkans. Celtic helmets found at several sites might have been imported via Italy -or are left by Celtic mercenaries of the Pontos kings.