Ancient armor secrets uncovered in groundbreaking Greek experiment

Greek naval infantry conducted combat exercises in armor replicas from 3,500 years ago. This helped resolve a 64-year-old dispute among archaeologists. Scientists now understand the role ancient armor played.

The armor used by the soldiers is one of the oldest known European armor. It is 3,500 years old and dates back to the Mycenaean period. It was discovered near the village of Dendra in Greece in 1960. Since then, scientists have not been able to agree on its purpose, as no historical sources have described this type of armor.

Some researchers argued that this armor, composed of bronze plates weighing over 40 pounds, was used only as ceremonial attire and ineffective in battle. Others believed that the armor was part of the equipment of Mycenaean soldiers, likely worn by warriors fighting on chariots rather than on foot.

Understanding this issue was crucial for comprehending the art of war in late Bronze Age Europe. Researchers behind the study and experiment, described on May 22 in the online scientific journal "PLOS ONE," sought to resolve it.

Dr. Andreas Flouris from the Laboratory of Functional Architecture of Mammals in their Environment (FAME) at the University of Thessaly in Greece found an unusual way to explain the use of Mycenaean armor. The physiologist and his team combined data from historical sources with experimental results to determine how the armor affected warrior mobility and whether it provided effective protection. They also examined how wearing the armor impacted the cardiovascular system and fatigue of the users. Volunteers from the Greek Armed Forces' naval infantry participated in the experiment.

Dr. Flouris's team prepared replicas of the Dendra armor and Bronze Age weapons. Then, 13 marines underwent a quick course in ancient fighting principles based on sources such as Homer's "Iliad." The soldiers, dressed in armor and equipped with swords, spears, and daggers, conducted an eleven-hour simulated battle.

The experiment showed that the replicas of the Mycenaean armor did not restrict the warriors' movements or combat abilities, nor did they pose a significant burden to them. As the study's authors wrote, it was unequivocally proven that the Dendra armor was helpful in battle. This strongly suggests that the Mycenaean civilization, which peaked between 1450 and 1225 BC, owed its power partly to its weapon technology.

To complement the experimental results, scientists from the University of Thessaly developed software to simulate combat conditions. Using this program, they could test the hypothetical effectiveness of armor and weapons in different scenarios. Dr. Flouris's team will conduct further research on Mycenaean weaponry using computer techniques.

The Dendra armor was discovered in 1960 by archaeologists Prof. Paul Aström from Sweden and Greek Dr. Nikos Verdelis. They found a complete cuirass in a Mycenaean tomb in the village of Dendra, near the citadel of Midea and a few miles from ancient Mycenae. Their discovery was considered groundbreaking for archaeology.

The find was a complete set of plate armor, whose bronze elements were connected using leather straps. The soldier's torso was protected by a two-piece cuirass with shoulder guards and a high collar protecting the neck, nape, and chin. From the waist down, the armor consisted of a skirt made of three pairs of wide, curved plates reaching the warrior's knees. The armor was complemented by a boar’s tusk helmet with plates protecting the cheeks. Experts believe that the armor also included greaves and forearm guards, attached to the limbs with linen straps.