The gloves resemble leather padded bands rather than the full-hand versions used in modern boxing. Photograph: The Vindolanda Trust
Posted on 03/13/2018 12:29:36 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Roman boxing gloves have been discovered near Hadrian's Wall, thought to be the only known surviving examples, even though the sport was well- documented on Roman wall paintings, mosaics and sculptures.
With a protective guard designed to fit snugly over the knuckles, the gloves were packed with natural material which acted as shock absorbers. They date from around AD120 and were certainly made to last: they still fit comfortably on a modern hand. One of them even retains the impression of the knuckles of its ancient wearer.
They are among the latest discoveries at a pre-Hadrianic Roman cavalry barrack, which was found last year beneath the fourth-century stone fort of Vindolanda, south of Hadrian's Wall near Hexham, Northumberland...
Archaeologists stumbled across the site by chance and were taken aback by extraordinary military and personal possessions left behind by the men and their families some 2,000 years ago. Other finds include complete swords, which are exceptionally rare, even across the north-west provinces of the Roman empire.
The finds are in a remarkable state of preservation because they were concealed beneath a concrete floor laid by the Romans about 30 years after the barracks was abandoned, shortly before 120. Oxygen-free conditions prevented materials such as wood and leather from decaying...
In the Roman army, boxing was practised to promote fighting skills and fitness, and included competitions with spectators. The gloves will be among finds from the barracks displayed at the Vindolanda site museum from Tuesday. Excavations resume in April.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
The gloves resemble leather padded bands rather than the full-hand versions used in modern boxing. Photograph: The Vindolanda Trust
Sweet scientific find.
Yo Hadrian!!
Wow, thanks for posting. Had no idea the ancient Romans boxed.
LOL
Poor Biggus Dickus. You know they had to fight naked? Poor man kept on tripping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx_G2a2hL6U
LOL! You win comment of the day hands down.
Yo Hadrian!!
LOL. Perfect comment!
Funny!
Awesome
Smile of the day.
Looks like you won the thread!
Leaving the fingers free allows the fighter to grapple as well as punch.
In the Roman army, boxing was practised to promote fighting skills and fitness, and included competitions with spectators.
Wasn’t that kind of hard on the spectators?
Come on up, who wants a couple of rounds with Brutus
the mauler?
"You *know* when you're In Vindolandia, from the dead Pict nailed to the "welcome to Vindolandia" sign."
And by contrast, I just spent the last hour or so of my snooze time watching Unbox Therapy videos.
That's how these unique artifacts were identified, they are literally the only examples known to have survived.
They weren't very smart, the spectators.
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