Bullets and Bones: Archaeological View of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

This video explores a Roman cemetery discovered in York, England, in 2004. Archaeologists found the remains of mostly young men who likely lived violent lives. The Royal Armouries, the UK's national collection of arms and armour, consults the York Archaeological Trust to understand the identities and causes of death for these individuals, offering insights into ancient combat and life.

This video features Dr. Jaime Kaminski from the Sussex Archaeological Society discussing the Gladius, the iconic short sword of the Roman legions. The lecture delves into the history and typology of this fearsome weapon, which was instrumental in the expansion of the Roman Empire. A specific surviving Gladius (X.5583) from the Royal Armouries collection is examined. The video encourages subscriptions for more arms and armor content and provides links for supporting the museum and becoming a member.

This video explores ancient American rock shelters and caves, highlighting their historical significance as potential early human campsites. It also addresses the unfortunate degradation of these sites due to modern pollution, specifically the dumping of tires.

This YouTube video, featuring Alastair Lumsden of the Royal Armouries, delves into the military capabilities of Cisalpine Gaul between 400 and 180 BC. It challenges the traditional view of these groups as unsophisticated 'barbarians,' presenting evidence from weapon burials and historical accounts to demonstrate their rapid social and military development. The lecture highlights how age, status, and wealth influenced troop types, command structures, and battlefield organization, arguing that Gallic armies were tactically flexible and fought comparably to their Roman adversaries.

This video presents the findings of the Dig Hill 80 archaeological excavation project in Wytschaete, Belgium. The project focused on remarkably intact World War I trenches and was funded in part by viewers of Forgotten Weapons. The presentation, attended by the video creator, details the historical discoveries made during the spring and summer of 2018. Donations are still being accepted to finalize cataloging and publications, particularly due to the unexpected recovery of human remains impacting the project budget.

This video offers a virtual tour of the excavation at DigHill80, a World War I German fortified position near Wijtschate, Belgium. The project, largely funded by Forgotten Weapons viewers, aimed to document and recover artifacts and remains from the site before construction begins. The tour, led by lead archaeologist Simon Verdegem, showcases the extensive and well-preserved trenches where German, French, and British soldiers fought and died. The dig has concluded, and findings will be presented in London. This video is a unique opportunity to explore a significant historical battlefield through a virtual lens.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.