Ancient Sun Hat Worn by Roman Soldier Revealed in Greater Manchester Museum

A remarkable sun hat, believed to have belonged to a Roman soldier in Egypt, has been unveiled for the first time, astonishing experts with its well-preserved condition.

This unique artifact is currently on display at the Bolton Museum in Greater Manchester, England. The hat was discovered at the Illahun archaeological site in the Egyptian city of Faiyum in 1888.

After being donated to Bolton’s first museum, the Chadwick Museum, in 1911, the hat remained in storage for nearly 115 years until its recent restoration and introduction to the public.

Curator’s Insights on the Preservation

Ian Trumble, the curator of archaeology for Bolton Library & Museum Services, explains that the survival of this sun hat is nothing short of miraculous, largely due to the dry conditions prevalent in Egypt.

“In Egypt, textiles are often well-preserved in areas where the ground has remained dry, but do not survive in wetter areas nearer to the Nile or in lowland and valley areas, such as the Valley of the Kings,” Trumble states.

He elaborates that while this hat was excavated from a drier area, its exceptional state of preservation continues to astound experts given that the Faiyum region tends to be wetter.

Dating the Artifact

The sun hat is estimated to be between 2,100 and 2,400 years old, placing it within the Greek or Roman periods of Egyptian history.

“Our current theory is that it was worn by a soldier who adapted it for the Egyptian climate when moving with the Roman army from Anatolia to Egypt,” Trumble notes.

Comparison to Other Historical Hats

Trumble highlights the rarity of such artifacts, noting that only two similar hats are known to exist—one in Manchester and another in Florence.

“We believe that Bolton’s example has always been the more complete survival, but now that conservation has been completed, we consider it to be the best example in the world,” he emphasizes.

Materials and Design Details

The hat is crafted from woolen felt, though the specific type of wool remains unidentified pending further analysis.

Trumble further elaborates that this item was particularly vulnerable to damage from pests and natural degradation throughout the centuries.

“The exterior of the hat is made from a cream-colored wool, while the interior features dyed red wool,” he explains.

He notes that the conservation process allowed for a more detailed examination of the hat’s construction, revealing that the conical body of the hat likely predates the scalloped brim. The brim itself, constructed from a less dense felt, appears to have been affixed later using a different stitching technique.

Exhibition and Future Research

The sun hat is currently displayed at the entrance of the museum’s Egypt galleries and is scheduled for a permanent exhibition in September.

Bolton Museum is renowned for housing the largest collection of ancient Egyptian textiles in the United Kingdom, encompassing over 7,000 years of Egyptian history.

The hat joins a collection of more than 8,000 individual pieces in the museum, significantly enriching its offerings.

Trumble mentions that the hat’s fragility previously prevented it from being exhibited and it was restricted to flat storage.

“As part of conservation, it has undergone cleaning and received a supportive lining, enabling us to display it for the first time. We still aspire to conduct further research into the hat to uncover more about its intriguing history,” he concludes.