Painstaking restoration work on a 2,000-year-old ceremonial helmet has revealed new information about the treasure. The shattered Roman artefact was found a decade ago in fields near Hallaton covered in mud and clay.
British Museum experts have used X-rays to give them further information about the design and use of the treasure. They have found the patterns beaten into the silver included floral designs, animals and Roman gods and emperors.
They say the helmet was never meant for battle and would have been worn on parade by a high-ranking officer.
They have also discovered four cheek pieces that they did not expect to find and learned more about the structure of the helmet. They hope that the restored helmet will go on show, in Harborough, in 2012.
Marylin Hockey, who is working on the helmet, said: "It is extremely rare and an internationally important find. "It is in an incredibly fragmentary condition but it has always been the aim, if possible, to reconstruct it."
The Hallaton Helmet was excavated by University of Leicester Archaeological Services and members of the Hallaton Fieldwork Group.
They also discovered 5,000 Iron Age and Roman coins, thousands of pig bones, a bronze tankard handle and mysterious and unique silver objects.
They are believed to have been ritual sacrifices at a Late Iron Age shrine belonging to the Corieltavi, the Celtic inhabitants of the East Midlands around 2,000 years ago.
The helmet is based on an iron shell and was covered in a very thin layer of silver and gold.
Harborough Museum's Hallaton Treasure project officer Helen Sharp met the British Museum conservation team in London on Monday.
She said new information on the structure of the helmet bowl emerged recently as the conservators tackled the extremely delicate task of removing a layer of clay from the fine silver sheet coating.
She said: "We now know that the helmet had a scalloped brow guard which protruded above the bowl. The brow guard is packed out with an as yet mystery substance.
"This is vital and rare information, which will inform us how Roman craftsmen created high quality armour and is potentially a national first."
Once restored, it is hoped the helmet will take pride of place in an exhibition at Harborough Museum which currently shows webcam footage of the restoration work and features the rest of the treasure.
Author: Tim Healey | Source: This Is Leicestershire [December 22, 2010]