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Comment by hermitcrab | Hacker News Reader

I only skimmed the article. Is the high 'collar' shown here supposed to be a realistic replica?:

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal...

It looks much higher than a medieval bevor and very impractical. You wouldn't be able to see much of attacks to your torso or legs.

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Yes, it's supposed to be a realistic replica (see sibling link to the "Dendra panolpy).

Another previous discussion on this subject (links to Ars article referencing/based on the linked paper): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40522939

The apparent "impractically" of the armor is one of the very reasons it's being tested. I think the apparent reduction in visibility is probably being exaggerated in some of the pictures that they've chosen to use. In addition, since a lot of the fighting would be with spears, I'd assume there would often be enough distance that the high visor wouldn't obstruct too much relevant vision.

I agree, the camera angle is from below and the spearman seems to be tilting his head. Figure 3 in the paper has a image showing an angle that implies the spearman had decent vision.

Closeup photo of the collar/neck part:

https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/site/assets/files/2766/...

It is probably compensated by the shield and the heavier torso armor. Attacks to legs (depending upon height differences) reduces the measure unless the attacker squat and thrust without leaning forward.

Big shields also have similar issues with visibility. They can protect you, but they also cut visibility.

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