Leather scale armour proves technology transfer in antiquity

[guy]

It is not surprising that military technology was disseminated throughout the ancient world:

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In 2013, a nearly complete leather scale armour was found in the tomb of an approx. 30-year-old male near the modern-day city of Turfan in Northwest China.   
 Design and construction details of the armour indicate that it originated in the Neo-Assyrian Empire between the 6th and 8th century BC before being brought to China.

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/12/leather-scale-armour-proves-technology-transfer-occurred-in-antiquity/142195?amp

Edited January 13, 2022 by guy

[guy]

Here's an excellent summary of the find:
 

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“Scientists from the University of Zurich examined a unique leather scale armor from the grave of a horseman in northwest China. The style and construction suggest that the tank was made between the 6th and 8th centuries BC in the Neo-Assyrian Empire and was transported to China from there. 

The scientists were able to date the old armor to the period between 786 and 543 BC using radiocarbon dating. Originally a total of 5444 small and 140 large cowhide scales were used for the production. Together with leather cords and the inner lining, the total weight was 4 to 5 kilograms. The shape is reminiscent of a vest that protects the wearer's upper body in the area of the chest, groin, sides and lower back. The tank could be put on quickly and independently and was suitable for different body sizes.“

 

 

https://www.ancientpages.com/2021/12/09/2700-year-old-equestrian-armor-in-assyrian-style-leather-evidence-of-technology-transfer-in-antiquity/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=chilling_story_of_glamr_beware_of_the_shapeshifting_gaelic_bodach_volcanic_winter_likely_contributed_to_ecological_catastrophe_and_much_more_dec_3_09_2021&utm_term=2021-12-09

Edited January 28 by guy

[guy]

Another good article on this possible transfer of ancient technology:
 

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Assyrian infantry archer (left) in scale armor depicted in a relief from the south west palace of Sennacherib (reigned 704-681 BCE) in Nineveh and
Assyrian cavalry archer in scale armor depicted in a relief from the palace of Assurbanipal (reigned 669-631 BCE) in Nineveh. Photos: The Trustees of the
British Museum.

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Scale armors were worn by warriors of many different cultures and often adorned their horses as well. The material used for the scales could vary wildly, from bronze and iron to pangolin scales and paper. Some examples include the lorica squamata, a type of scale armor used by the ancient Roman military during the Roman Republic and at later periods, or the gyorin kozane used by the samurai in Japan.
 

But armor as old as what was found at the Yangai cemetery in Turfan is exceedingly rare, as few such sleeveless garments from antiquity have withstood the test of time. According toLive Science, only a 14th-century B.C. leather scale armor found at King Tutankhamun’s ancient Egyptian tomb and a Scythian armor dating from the 8th to 3rd century B.C. come close.

Although rife with speculation, the researchers believe the armor was most likely not made in China. From what they could gather, the archaeologists think instead that it was fashioned by Neo-Assyrian craftsmen, whose work can be found depicted in 7th century B.C. stone carvings. If this is true, then the Yanghai armor would constitute one of the earliest pieces of evidence of West-East technological transfers of the first millennium B.C.

https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/fish-like-scale-armor-found-in-2500-year-old-tomb-in-china/

Edited January 28 by guy