Alan H's photos

Crocodile-skin armour possibly dating to the 3rd century AD. Its crocodile scalp headdress may have been intended either for protective or ceremonial use, it seems wide enough to fit over a helmet, so may even be a local adaptation of the tradition of Roman standard-bearers and trumpeters wearing skins of fierce animals over their helmets. From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Copper alloy rectangular shield centre with circular boss, coated with tin, and decorated by incised and pounced lines. The central boss is decorated with an eagle holding an olive branch and surrounded by a wreath. The border is of 8 panels. In each corner is a figure representing one of the Four Seasons; above is Mars, below a bull, the badge of the 8th Legion. In the margins are two legionary standards, and the following words incised into the metal along the left side: LEG VIII AVG IVL(II) MAGNI IVNI(I) DUBITATI The shield thus belonged to Junius Dubitatus, who served in the century of Julius Magnus in the Eighth Legion Augustus, in Britain under Hadrian. It was discovered in 1866 during dredging to widen and deepen the River Tyne. It is believed it was lost in a shipwreck. It is believed that Junius was an ordinary soldier in the Eighth Legion, based in Germany and sent over to Britain to provide extra manpower for a war against the native Britons. It looks likely that Junius was heading into the Tyne from Germany when a storm broke and his ship sank. No trace of the vessel has ever been found and no-one knows what became of Junius although it is likely he went down with the ship. From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Despite the countless number made, this is the only surviving Roman legionary shield (scutum). It is from Rome's Syrian frontier where the dry climate preserved the wood and its painted leather surface, but its semi-circular shape is now more curled. Found at the Roman city of Dura-Europos, in modern-day Syria, this unique survival from the 3rd century AD is painted with victorious and regimental symbols: an eagle, Victories and a lion. From the 'Legion - Life in the Roman Army' exhibition.

Discovered in a room of the headquarters building of the Roman fortress in York. In the undercroft of the York Minster.

Discovered in a room of the headquarters building of the Roman fortress in York. In the undercroft of the York Minster.

The remains of the fortress baths underneath the appropriately named Roman Bath pub. This section is the hot room or caldarium of the baths.

The remains of the fortress baths underneath the appropriately named Roman Bath pub. This section is the cold room or frigidarium of the baths.

The remains of the fortress baths underneath the appropriately named Roman Bath pub. This section is the hot room or caldarium of the baths.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, includin this keep.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, includin this keep.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, includin this keep.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, includin this keep.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, including this keep.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, includin this keep.

The now ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, includin this keep.

Found on a hillside in Trondheim, Norway.

Old barnehage (kindergarten). In the Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, an open-air museum in Trondheim. The area is the site of a fort and residence built by King Sverre Sigurdsson in support of his struggle against his rival King Magnus Erlingsson to claim the throne of Norway.

In the Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, an open-air museum in Trondheim. The area is the site of a fort and residence built by King Sverre Sigurdsson in support of his struggle against his rival King Magnus Erlingsson to claim the throne of Norway.