Reconstruction of a Roman Arm Guard!

In exciting news, conservators have meticulously reconstructed a rare piece of Roman armour, shedding new light on its true purpose. The brass arm guard, dating back to the mid-2nd century AD, was recently unveiled from the National Museums Scotland’s collection. This exceptional artifact is set to take center stage in the upcoming British Museum exhibition, "Legion: Life in the Roman Army."

Discovered in hundreds of pieces, along with remnants of leather straps, at the Trimontium fort near Melrose in 1906, the arm guard was initially thought to be body armour. Subsequent theories suggested it might have served as a thigh guard for a cavalryman. However, recent years have seen a breakthrough in understanding its true function.

Conservators dedicated weeks to painstakingly rebuild the arm guard. Dr. Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistoric & Roman Archaeology at National Museums Scotland, expressed the rarity of the object and the transformative process, stating, "This is an incredibly rare object, and it’s great that this exhibition gave us the opportunity to rebuild it. The transformation is striking."

Now fully reconstructed, the arm guard offers a vivid portrayal of the legionary who once wore it. It served both as protection and a status symbol. The brass material, expensive and shiny like gold on the sword arm, highlights its significance. Dr. Hunter emphasizes its importance in connecting us to a crucial period when Scotland stood at the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

After its debut at the British Museum’s "Legion: Life in the Roman Army" exhibition, the arm guard will find its permanent home at the National Museum of Scotland. For the first time in over a century, these fragments have been united and assembled, providing a unique window into the life of a Roman legionary in Scotland.

Photo Credit: Duncan McGlynn / National Museums Scotland