Ancient Roman legionary armor restored after 3-year effort in Türkiye

By Neriman Senanur Torun

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the completion of the restoration of a unique "Lorica Squamata" armor from the Late Roman Period, discovered in northeast Türkiye.

This Roman legionary armor, the only known example of its kind in the world, was found during the 2020 excavation in the ancient city of Satala in Gumushane province. The significance of the "Lorica Squamata" model lies in its uniqueness as the sole known specimen globally.

In 2021, the scale armor was transported to the Erzurum Regional Directorate of Restoration and Conservation Laboratory. It was initially preserved with its surrounding soil for documentation. Detailed examinations, including X-rays and tomography, were conducted at Erzurum Ataturk University.

X-ray results revealed that almost the entire armor was intact. Micro CT imaging of a three-plate block taken from the edges helped determine the armor’s full measurements and partial metallurgical properties.

After three years of meticulous work by the Erzurum Regional Directorate of Restoration and Conservation Laboratory, the conservation and restoration processes were completed. The armor was then resewn, returning it to its original form.

Highlighting the achievement, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said: "The 'Lorica Squamata' model armor, revived by expert hands at the Erzurum Regional Directorate of Restoration and Conservation Laboratory, has reached us almost perfectly preserved."

Ersoy also extended his gratitude to those who contributed to “the excavation of this magnificent artifact, which opens a unique window into the warrior past of the Roman Empire."