The crested helmets of the Late Bronze Age of the Iberian Peninsula and the second phase of the South-West stelae with mirror and helmet (1275-1200 BC)

Abstract

Despite the shortage of metal helmets in the Iberian Peninsula, surely only present in the Huelva estuary and perhaps a very fragmented one in Vila Cova de Perrinho (Beira Litoral), the number of helmets in stelae of the Southwest that allow us to better assess a fundamental element of the warrior's panoply and a very precious possession. His analysis indicates that they appear, at the same time as the mirrors, in a second phase of the stelae of the Southwest, and are added to the stelae of tripartite iconography with shield, spear and sword, which should have started around 1325-1300 BC. The first conical helmets with convex crested type Biebesheim, preserved complete in Fundão, Santa Ana de Trujillo or Aldeia Velha, can be placed around 1275-1200 BC, associated with a rectangular pommel in swords that could be of the Rosnöen type. These elements suggest the simultaneous arrival of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences. The next phase corresponds to stelae with human figure under the V-notched Herzsprung-type shield and the presence of pistiliform swords, case of Cabeza de Buey I or Cabañas del Castillo during the Late Bronze Age IIB, 1225-1150 BC. The next stage is assignable to stelae where the shield and the anthropomorph have the same importance, enduring the pistiliform swords. The schematism of some helmets representations creates doubt if the first conical helmets with concave crest type Bernières d’Ailly are already introduced in Zarza de Montánchez or Las Herencias I, during the Late Bronze Age IIC, 1150-1050 BC. The final phase, in stelae where the human figure has a preeminent role, the representations of conical helmets with concave crest are very schematic in stelae of Setefilla or Ategua, during the Late Bronze Age IIIA, 1050-950 BC.