Medieval helmets found off Benicarló, Spain, re-dated by 1,500 years (xataka.com)

• 43 late medieval helmets found off Benicarló, initially misidentified as Roman.
• Radiocarbon dating of textile remains reveals 14th–15th century date.
• Largest collection of medieval helmets from Spanish and western Mediterranean waters.
• Helmet type: non-elite infantry, pre-plate-armor standardization.
• Context suggests Islamic piracy, local militias, and Crown of Aragon arms trade.
• Two independent labs performed dating; one outlier likely due to contamination.
• Origin and sinking cause not definitively determined.

"Iron helmets recovered off Benicarló (Castellón) in 1990 were thought Roman, but radiocarbon dating of textile remains shows they are late medieval (14th–15th c.), making them 1,500 years younger. The 43 helmets form the largest collection of medieval helmets from Spanish waters and the western Mediterranean. They belonged to non-elite infantry, made in minor workshops before European plate armor standardization."