Archaeologists uncovered a fortress and found 14 kilograms of ancient Roman armor (photos included).

Near Bonn, Germany, archaeologists unearthed 14 kilograms of Roman chainmail armor, providing new insights into the logistical ingenuity of the Roman army along the northern borders of the empire. This discovery illustrates how soldiers managed to maintain and repair their equipment in remote areas, reports Heritage Daily.

The treasure was found during excavations at a settlement close to the Bonn legionary fortress. It included two almost intact chainmail shirts and fragments of two others, fused into a mass due to corrosion. Archaeologists believe this collection served as a repair stockpile and is the first concrete evidence that chainmail was restored outside military facilities.

This discovery highlights the crucial role local craftsmen played in supporting Roman troops, as well as the dynamic relationship between civilian settlements and military forts. Unlike other metal equipment, chainmail presented unique challenges: it could not simply be melted down and recast.

Instead, damaged parts were repaired using components from other armors, akin to mending textiles. Researchers utilized modern computer tomography to analyze the find, revealing intricate details hidden within the corrosion mass.

According to Holger Becker from the Bonn LVR-LandesMuseum, "X-ray technology allows us to see what cannot be seen with the naked eye. To look inside the solid mass of Roman armor, only computer tomography yielded satisfactory results." This discovery provides valuable insights into the organization and economic frameworks that supported one of the most formidable military forces in history.

We also reported on how scientists discovered an African parasite in a 15th-century cesspit. The finding occurred in Bruges, Belgium.