Iron helmet. Xianbei people, Former Yan state, Sixteen Kingdoms period (337-370 AD). Excavated 1998 at Lamadong near Beipiao, Liaoning Province, China. Loaned to the China Institute from Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology [4992×6656] [OC]

[display description, China Institute](https://i.ibb.co/bgp6NtBX/20240912-152304.jpg)

[Helmet

Sixteen Kingdoms, Former Yan (337-70)

Iron

Excavated in 1998 from tomb no. 5 at Lamadong, Sijiaban, Nanbajia, Beipiao

Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology

The iron helmet was an important component of the armor suite of the Former Yan period. An armor suite encompasses the combined armor for both rider and horse. The rider’s armor includes cuirasses, neck guards, and iron helmets, among other components, while the horse’s armor includes armor specific to horses. Physical artifacts unearthed from Shi’ertai in Chaoyang and Lamadong in Beipiao mark the appearance of heavily armored cavalry during the Three Yan period. They represent the advanced development of Xianbei equestrian culture and hold significant importance in the cultural and military history of northern ethnic groups.

Cat. no. 86]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_Yan