Lamellar helmet from Niederstotzingen (reconstruction)

• Niederstotzingen, District of Heidenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

The helmet was reconstructed of inexpertly dug fragments. The individual parts were wrought from high-quality iron and held together by leather thongs. On the interior side of the segments were leather remnants that served to cushion the helmet. Cloth remnants (probably silk) were detected on the exterior side of the segments. The topknot was equipped with a decorative sleeve that presumably held horse tail hair, not just as a crowning helmet ornament, but presumably also for recognition and as an insignia of rank. The lamellar helmet of Niederstotzingen is a type that derives from the Asian area, introduced to Europe by the Avars, among others. Comparable helmets have been found in Kerch, Castel Trosino, and Nocera Umbra as well as other sites.

• Photographed while on display from 22 August 2008 to 11 January 2009 in the exhibition "Die Langobarden. Das Ende der Völkerwanderung" at the Rheinisches LandesMuseum Bonn. The original is held at the Landesmuseum Württemberg, Stuttgart.