Figure 1.--The Ribchester Horde consists of a bronze cavalry ceremonial helmet, horse brasses, and eye protectors for the horses. The Roman treasure which was found that day are items used by the Roman cavalry in ceremonial pageants. The best cavalry riders would take part. Their horses would be decorated and they would wear the ceremonial helmet, fashioned rather like a thetrical mask. he British Museum says that the one found at Ribchester is the best preserved of its type.

What Joseph found was what Dr. Whitiker was looking for--metal objects. These were bronze objects. They looked like household utensils and ornaments. The most impressive item was what proved to be a bronze calvalry helmet. What had caused the sensation was the bronze military headwear. It was too thin and ornate to be worn in battle. And a calvalry man would have not wanted his vision limited to small eye holes. It was soon discovered that it was a ceremonial helmet. In fact they were more like theatrical masks. (Actors in Greek and Roman plays wore masks.) It seems that in Roman times cavalrymen liked to re-enact their military campaigns at public pageants. To make their role more grandiose they used to wear bronze ceremonial helmets. These were decorated with scenes of battle between cavalry troops and foot soldiers. The Roman cavalry would have looked courageous and brave during these military pageants. Many museums have this type of headgear but the British Museum holds the Ribchester. To-date no finer example has been found than the one 13 year old Joseph Walton discovered in 1796. The original helmet is in the British Museum. The Roman Museum at Ribchester, Lancashire has the replica. Both are on public display. In the annuals of British Archaeology the find of the century was made by 13 year old Joseph Walton that hot summer so long ago.