Helmet from Multa

Description

Helmet from Multa. Golden Horde, XIII century.
Mild steel.
Thickness 2 mm.

The Multa helmet was accidentally discovered in the second half of the 80s in the middle reaches of the Multa River, a tributary of the Upper Katun. In the cedar forest near the maralnik, the children of Russian old-timers came across its pommel sticking out of the ground. The object was dug up and delivered to the place of residence. Ten years later, after changing several owners, the helmet was donated by S. M. Kobzev to the Altai State Museum of Local Lore, where it is now kept (AGKM, Col. 17056/A-2653).
The Multin helmet consists of a dome, a frame, a hoop and a pommel made of iron. The dome is formed by four convex sectors connected by four bands of the frame (in the frontal, occipital and temporal parts). The sectors are fastened to the frame with 22 rivets (two have not been preserved), arranged three in a row along each edge of the frame in the occipital and temporal parts and two in a row in the frontal part. The strips of the frame on the long sides are decorated with triangular projections, opposite the rivets. In the center of each strip there is a rib.
The base of the helmet is formed by a two-part hoop of the frontal and occipital stripes. They are fastened to the dome with rivets, of which only 9 pieces have been preserved, located along the upper edge of the hoop, taking into account the figured design of its frontal band. The latter is equipped with brow cutouts with a bridge. Its upper edge has three-stage cutouts, two arc-shaped and a central “cloud”. The lower edge of the frontal band had two through holes under the barmica (one has been preserved). The occipital band of the hoop is provided with triangular projections along the upper edge, of which only two have been preserved. In its central part there is a rib, and along the lower edge there are holes for the barmica, of which five have been preserved.
The pommel of the helmet is made in the form of a sleeve with a figuratively carved bell. It is decorated with alternating four triangular and four pentagonal projections. The latter are equipped with rivets that attach the pommel to the sectors of the dome. The middle part of the pommel is made in the form of a 12-sided sleeve, which is crowned with a ball, contoured with two belts. A partition plate (height 4.5 mm, thickness 1 mm) is inserted in the mouth of the pommel for fixing the plume.
The helmet is destroyed in the lower part of the right side. Its outline is conical in shape, with a total height of 27 cm, a length of 21.5 cm, and a width of 18.5 cm. The thickness of the sectors and pommel – 3 mm, the hoop and frame-1.5 mm. Judging by the sparse arrangement of the holes for the barmica, it could be laminar.