The equipment of a Germanic warrior from the 2nd-4th century AD

Digital reconstructions as a research tool for the behaviour of archaeological costumes

Bibliographic Data

ID4651345
AuthorsAleksei Moskvin (0000-0002-9813-2831, Saint-Petersburg State University of Technology and Design), Martijn A Wijnhoven (0000-0002-3068-930X, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, corresponding author), Mariia Moskvina (0000-0002-1370-5478, Saint-Petersburg State University of Technology and Design)
Year2021
Volume49
Pages48-58
Publication date2021-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Cultural Heritage (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1296-2074 • E-ISSN: 1778-3674
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.culher.2021.03.003
OpenAlexW3142592658
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited17

Virtual reality opens new ways for reconstructing, preserving and exhibiting clothing and textiles. This applies particularly to those from an archaeological context, which can be incomplete, damaged or fragile. Despite the possibilities of computer technology, such as computer graphics (CG) and computer-aided design (CAD), its potential has only been superficially explored. This article showcases its possibilities by focussing upon the equipment of a Germanic warrior from the 2nd–4th century AD. His panoply consists of trousers, a tunic, shoes, a mail coat, an under-armour garment and a belt. CG and CAD tools, such as stress analysis and strain analysis, were applied to visualize and examine the behaviour of his equipment. The military clothing of the Germanic warrior proves very functional in terms of physics, materials science, anatomy and biomechanics. In other words, his clothing and armour result very suitable for warfare. This case study demonstrates that digital reconstructions can be more than scientific visualisation, but also a new and powerful research tool, generating new insights into archaeological artefacts

Archaeology · Armour · Art · Clothing · Visual arts · Visualization · 3D Shape Modeling and Analysis · Computer Science · Engineering · History · Mechanics and Biomechanics Studies · Textile materials and evaluations · Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access