Israeli mysteries: The helmet of the ancient warrior

 

Israel is a land of history and stories, but not every Israeli tale originates from within its boarders. Such is the strange case of the "helmet of the ancient warrior,” a 2,600 year old helmet of mysterious origin found at the bottom of Haifa Bay. How did it get there, and who did it belong to? These are questions experts are still asking to this day.

You might think an important archeological find like this was the result of carefully planned and coordinated dig. A three-year plan to carefully excavate one of Israel’s lost temples, or an exploration into a newly discovered tunnel under Massada or something like that. You might think that, but you'd be wrong.

The discovery of the helm was a complete and total accident. A lucky fluke, like something out of a fantasy novel. A piece of shining armor resting at the bottom of a busy bay for thousands of years until it just so happened to be scooped up. The helmet was discovered during a 2007 commercial dredging operation. It didn't take the workers long to realize they stumbled on something special and they soon turned the helmet over to the Israel Antiquities Authority who immediately understood the significance of their discovery.

Covered in gold leaf, this bronze helmet is a masterwork of its day. Despite heavy corrosion (as one might expect from thousands of years underwater), the specialists of the Israel Antiquities Authority were able to clean it up and expose many fine details that might have been lost to time. 

While the helmet might seem simple to people used to the theatrical helms or Lord of the Rings or other fantasy shows, the ancient helm is quite ornate for its time in history. Most surviving helmets from the same era are simple, prioritizing safety above fashion. But, with a gilded gold exterior and intricate figures of snakes, peacocks, and roaring lions etched above the eyes and cheeks of the helm, its clear that this sunken treasure was more than just protection, it was a status symbol.

The ostentatious design leads archeologist to believe it likely it belonged to a warrior of means and prestige. Possibly a wealthy mercenary or an officer of some importance. Whoever was wearing it, they were definitely more than a mere foot-soldier.

While it's unclear where the helmet was made, its design hints at one of the Greek colonies. Experts determined that the helm was created from a single sheet of bronze metal, heated and hammered and forged into shape as was common with Greek smithing. The front of the helmet is noticeably thicker than the back. Whether this is a simple quirk of its construction, or denotes a certain philosophical bent (better to face the enemy than run) is a matter of speculation.

As is the identity of its owner. How does a Greek made helmet end up in Israel exactly? At the time of the helmets construction, 600 B.C, Greek colonies spread throughout the Mediterranean, but they never reached into Israel. However, around this time Judah, Assyria, and Babylon were all engaged in conflict with Egypt. The pharaoh Necho II not only assaulted these lands with his own troops, he also rallied forces from all over to aid him in battle with the lure of coin and plunder. This leads experts to believe that the helm must have belonged to a mercenary under the employ of Egyptian forces.

But, how did it end up in the drink? Who can say. Maybe it was the result of a ferocious battle where the ancient warrior was thrown overboard. His body consumed by time and sea, a lone helmet the only remaining proof of his fall. Or, perhaps it was deliberately pitched into the water in frustration as Necho II's boats were forced to retreat following King Nebuchadnezzar's triumph. Or still, it could have simply been knocked overboard by accident, the glorious helmet of an elite warrior dropped into the water like a stone. We'll never know for sure!

It's a mystery that belongs to Israel now. You can view the helmet yourself and wonder at the National Maritime Museum in Haifa where it is now proudly displayed among other national treasures and artifacts.