Originally Posted by
Brennus
Evidence for linothorax style body armour is known from 5th century BC depictions, such as the stone statue from Vix, France, a stone statue and bronze castings from Glauberg, Germany or the ornate scabbard from Hallstatt, Austria. It is also known from a 4th-3rd century BC stone stelae from Bormio, Italy, as well as a 4th century chariot grave from Gorge-Meillet, France, and the stone statues from Roquepertuse, France. The colours are chosen partly on the basis of historical accounts, such as those of Strabo, who records that the Gauls took particular delight in bright colours in stripes and chequered patterns. They are also based on recurring colours which we find in artefacts. These include the use of red enamel on brooches and helmets, and the red-gold colour which is a particular feature of Belgic coinage. Finally we consider what colours could be easily produced using the various dyes which Iron Age peoples had access to. The extent of this type of armour appears to have been the areas from the Marne to northern Italy, the core of the Hallstatt and La Tène cultures. It has likely been overlooked as (1) it is common to portray Celtic peoples being unarmoured (if not un-clothed) (2) it is not as immediately recognisable in graves and other contexts as chainmail.