Helmet

The iron helmet of the 12th – early 13th centuries was discovered in 1834 in the city of Kyiv when the ancient earthen rampart was opened during construction work in Khreshchatyk Street. This helmet, together with the items found during the excavation of the ruins of the Irynynska Church, was presented by the archaeologist Kindratii Lokhvytskyi to the Museum of Antiquities of the Kyiv University of St. Volodymyr on the day of the foundation of the institution. Currently, the specified object is kept in the collection of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The spherical helmet in ancient times had a gilded nose part. According to the context of the find, the object is connected with the defense of Kyiv during the Mongol invasion in 1240. Archaeological finds of ancient Rus helmets are quite rare. Metal helmets, as in general and full armor, were the armaments of the elite in Rus.