On the chronology of Bronze and Early Iron Age crested helmets

Abstract

A. Lippert developed a new chronological sequence of crest helmets on the basis of a seriation of their stilistic and technical details. However, this sequence does not resist critical examination because the defi nition of the criteria is technically insuffi cient. A. Lippert does not deal with the hitherto accepted typology and ignores those few helmets, which are dated by their association with other finds. This inevitably leads to serious misunderstandings as becomes especially apparent in the case of the crest helmets from Italy. As they are often accompanied by other archaeological finds they are incorporated into a fine chronological system. Instead of checking his seriation for mistakes A. Lippert suggests a new chronology even for the Italian helmet variants turning the former sequence upside down and barely relating to ancient reality. The presented study aims not only to critically review Lippert’s chronology but also to localise the helmet of the Pass Lueg type culturally and historically. The precise technical examinations of J. Lutz and M. Mehofer on these early defensive weapons show both the creative intention and the many working steps for the production of these outstanding objects. In this way they contribute to the socio-economic assessment of these high-quality defensive weapons.