Ancient Roman felt sunhat to go on display

[guy]

A preserved ancient Roman wool felt hat will go on display at BoltonMuseum. It was estimated that the head covering was made around 30 BCE for a member of the Roman military following the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII.

🧢 Ancient Roman-Egyptian Felt Hat at Bolton Museum

• Age & Origin: The hat dates back around 2,000 years and is believed to have been made for a Roman soldier stationed in Egypt after the Roman conquest following Queen Cleopatra’s death in 30 BC.

• Design & Adaptation: While it resembles Roman military headwear from around 200 CE, the hat was adapted for Egypt’s harsh climate—designed to protect against intense sun and sandstorms.

• Material & Condition: Made from organic wool felt, the hat had deteriorated over time due to pests and environmental exposure. It’s now considered the best-preserved example of its kind in the world.

• Museum History: Donated in 1911 by famed archaeologist Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie to Bolton’s original Chadwick Museum, it remained in storage for over a century.

• Conservation Effort: Textile conservator Jacqui Hyman led the restoration, funded by local firm Ritherdon & Co. Ltd. Their support earned them the Bolton Archaeology and Egyptology Society’s “Lotus Chalice Award.”

• Public Display: The hat is now showcased at Bolton Museum, joining only two other known examples—one in Manchester and another in Florence

 

• Roman Felt Hats: Romans commonly wore felt or straw hats for sun protection. These were practical garments, especially for laborers, travelers, and fishermen. Felt was a popular material due to its affordability and ease of production through matting and pressing fibers.

• Hat Types:

  • Petasos: A wide-brimmed sunhat originally Greek but adopted by Romans. It was often made of felt or leather and tied under the chin or around the back of the head. Some versions were rigid and molded, suggesting a structured design.

  • Pilos: A simple felt cap worn by peasants and later adapted into bronze helmets for military use.

• Cultural Significance: While hats weren’t a dominant fashion in Roman society due to the prevalence of hooded cloaks (like the cucullus), they were used for practical and ceremonial purposes.

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2pegg403zo

Edited August 9, 2025 by guy