Devendra Kumar
A long-lost piece of Roman armor, hiding in National Museums Scotland’s collection for over a century, has been meticulously reconstructed from dozens of fragments. The brass arm guard, discovered at the Trimontium fort site near Melrose, Scottish Borders, in 1906, is one of only three known examples from the entire Roman Empire. Conserving the precious artifact was no small feat, requiring weeks of painstaking work by experts. The arm guard was previously in more than 100 pieces, making it a significant challenge to reassemble.
Despite the daunting task, conservators at National Museums Scotland were determined to reunite the fragments, allowing the treasure to be seen in its entirety for the first time in nearly 2,000 years. The exquisite design features intricate detailing, showcasing the remarkably skilled craftsmanship of the ancient Roman blacksmiths. This rare and extraordinary find offers a Look into the lives of Roman legionaries stationed on the northern frontier of the empire, significantly expanding our understanding of the period.
The reconstructed arm guard will go on display at the British Museum in London, as part of the exhibition “Legion: Life In The Roman Army,” before returning to National Museums Scotland, where it will be showcased permanently. “This is an incredibly rare object, and it’s great that this exhibition gave us the opportunity to rebuild it,” said Fraser Hunter, principal curator of prehistoric and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland. The arm guard’s significance extends beyond its historical significance, also serving as a status symbol – the use of brass, an expensive and coveted material, would have made the wearer feel like a high-ranking military officer.
As Bethan Bryan, assistant artefact conservator at National Museums Scotland, noted, “Approaching this ancient jigsaw puzzle required careful consideration, and it was important to make sure we could display the piece in a manner as near as possible to how it would have looked 2,000 years ago.” With its intricate details and restored splendor, the arm guard now offers a vivid connection to this pivotal period in Scotland’s history.