A centuries-old mystery may have been unraveled after researchers, supported by 13 Hellenic Marines, demonstrated that a unique 3,500-year-old suit of Greek armor could have been used for combat during the Trojan War, rather than merely serving a ceremonial purpose.
Flouris et al., 2024, PLOS ONE
Ancient Mycenaean Armor
A renowned Mycenaean suit of armor, long debated by historians, was tested and found to be suitable for extended combat. This study was led by Andreas Flouris of the University of Thessaly, Greece, and his team, providing fresh insights into ancient Greek warfare.
The armor in question is one of Europe's oldest known suits and was discovered near the village of Dendra, not far from ancient Mycenae, in 1960. Since its discovery, scholars have debated whether it was used in battle or merely for ceremonial purposes.
This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of warfare in Late Bronze Age Europe, especially as historical texts do not describe the practical use of this armor style. To address this, the researchers combined historical analysis with experimental archaeology to evaluate the Dendra armor's combat effectiveness.
The study enlisted thirteen volunteers from the Hellenic Armed Forces' Marines, equipping them with replicas of the Dendra armor and Bronze Age weapons. These volunteers underwent an eleven-hour simulated combat protocol, designed based on descriptions from Homer's Iliad, along with additional data on diet, activities, and maneuvers typical of Mycenaean soldiers.
This rigorous test aimed to replicate the conditions of Bronze Age warfare as closely as possible. The results indicated that the replicated Dendra armor did not hinder the wearers' combat abilities or cause significant physical strain.
These findings suggest that the Dendra armor was indeed suitable for battle, hinting that the Mycenaean civilization's influence in the Mediterranean might have been bolstered by their advanced armor technology.
To further substantiate their results, the researchers developed a software tool that simulates combat conditions, allowing for additional testing of the armor's efficacy in various scenarios.
Through a series of studies combining archaeology, history, human physiology, and numerical simulations, the researchers provided evidence that the Mycenaean armor from Dendra was indeed suitable for prolonged combat.
The study's simulation of thermal exchanges during Late Bronze Age warfare extended these findings to different environmental conditions and combat intensities. This comprehensive approach confirmed that Mycenaean armor technology significantly contributed to their military prowess in the Eastern Mediterranean.
This investigation sheds new light on the role of armor in Mycenaean society, suggesting that their military dominance was partly due to technological advancements. The Dendra armor's practical use in battle underscores the sophistication of Mycenaean military equipment and its impact on their historical influence.
"Our results support the notion that the Mycenaeans had such a powerful impact in Eastern Mediterranean at least partly as a result of their armour technology," the study's abstract reads.
The findings of the study were published in the journal PLoS ONE.
