• thethirdgracchi [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    2 months ago

    Experimental archeology really is fantastic. I loved the "experiment" where they tried to solve a centuries long dispute over whether this Mycenaean bronze age armor they found was for ceremonial use or actual combat by making an exact replica and then subjecting it to 11 hours of combat use, and found that yes it's great armor that is definitely not just ceremonial. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-mycenaean-armor-is-so-good-it-protected-users-in-an-11-hour-battle-simulation-inspired-by-the-trojan-war

    • thethirdgracchi [he/him, they/them]
      ·
      2 months ago

      My favorite little quote

      In addition to replicating the armor, the volunteers followed diets similar to what a Mycenaean soldier would have eaten in preparation for battle, including a meal of bread, beef, goat cheese, green olives, onions and red wine. "Interestingly, our results for blood glucose showed that the nutrition plan provided adequate energy for the volunteers during the 11-hour protocol," Flouris said.

      It's like they're shocked that Homer just didn't make this shit up.