Celtic “Port Bei Nedau” Helmet
The Port Type Helmet originated in Eastern Gaul. It is made of iron, fitted with cheekpieces, and embossed eyebrow decoration that helps to deflect blows. The neck guard is not of one-piece construction with the bowl as with its subsequent Roman counterparts, but is a separate section riveted to the bowl by 5 flat-headed rivets. At first it was produced and used by the various Gallic tribes around mid 1st century BC, however, during the Gallic Wars it was introduced to the Roman Army via Gallic auxiliaries serving to the Roman forces. Gallic craftsmen continued to manufacture this model for the Roman military and eventually it evolved into the Imperial Gallic Helmet. The Port Type Helmet was used from the period around the Gallic Wars until the early Augustan period. The most prominent example of Port Type Helmet was discovered in 1890 in the Thielle river near Port, Switzerland and it is currently exhibited in the Swiss National Museum. Elements of this design have been found in many places in Ribemont-sur-Ancre, Vernon and on the site of Alesia.