This imposing armour is made from the skin of Nile crocodiles. It
comprises a helmet and a cuirass (body armour) and the skin has been radio-carbon dated to the 3rd century AD.
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| Roman Crocodile Skin of Armour. 3rd century AD from Manfalut, Egypt.British Museum, London. |
It is thought that the Romans adopted this style of armour during their conquests in Egypt and other regions where crocodiles were prevalent and seen as
divine.
Scholars believe the armour was used for
ceremonial occasions, rather than in combat.
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| Roman Crocodile Skin of Armour. 3rd century AD from Manfalut, Egypt.British Museum, London. |
The armour was presented to the British Museum in 1846 by a Mrs Andrews, who was in a group of European
travellers to Manfalut, Egypt, where there were grottoes containing the mummified remains of humans and animals, including many crocodiles.
The cold, dry environment of the grotto
preserved the suit well, but the British Museum's Department of Conservation had to instigate a thorough restoration job.
The British Museum
