Meet the Gladiators: York's Roman Graveyard

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 from the Royal Armouries showcases a rare and historically significant Swiss Baselard dagger recovered from the Thames. Assistant Curator Scot Hurst details the dagger's unique copper-alloy inscription and the process of pinpointing its origins. The description also promotes the Royal Armouries' online collection, Scot's article on the baselard in the Arms & Armour journal, and encourages viewers to subscribe, support the museum, and engage with their content. The museum itself is presented as the UK's national collection of arms and armour, offering behind-the-scenes insights, combat demonstrations, and expert interaction.

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 explores the Battle of the Little Bighorn through the lens of firearms archaeology. It details how systematic surveys and artifact analysis, including bullet and case identification, have revealed crucial tactical information and the diverse weaponry used by Native American forces. The osteological record further provides insights into the soldiers' health and the brutal nature of the combat.

This video from the Royal Armouries features Lead Curator Henry Yallop discussing his favorite objects from the 'Warrior Treasures: Saxon Gold from the Staffordshire Hoard' exhibition. The exhibition showcases over one hundred artifacts from the Staffordshire Hoard, many displayed for the first time. Yallop highlights the significance of these treasures in understanding Anglo-Saxon military and social history. The video also mentions the ongoing archaeological research project funded by Historic England and the ownership of the hoard by Birmingham City Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Information about the exhibition and a related conference is provided.

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 video features Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson in a 60-second challenge at the Royal Armouries to find three unique firearms: a Charlton Automatic Rifle, a Schwarzlose Model 1898 pistol, and an early SA80 prototype. They discuss unusual mechanical operations and limited historical impact, highlighting experimental designs like the Sterling 7.62mm prototype and the Mars .45 Automatic Pistol.

The Knight's Armament KS-1, designated L403A1 by the British Army, is a new AR-15 platform rifle adopted for specialized units like the Army Special Operations Brigade and Royal Marines. It features a 13.7-inch barrel, ambidextrous controls, and is equipped with a Vortex 1-10x LPVO and an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 for versatile engagement ranges. The rifle utilizes a KAC QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor and is part of 'Project Hunter' to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

This video details the armor and weaponry of an 11th-century Norman knight, emphasizing the evolution of protective gear. It covers the padded undergarments, the mail hauberk constructed from thousands of iron rings, and the nasal helmet for head protection. The kite shield offered significant defense, while primary weapons included the lance and a one-handed sword.

This video explores a unique modernization attempt of the Martini-Henry rifle using Captain Harston's Patent Magazine. Jonathan Ferguson details the Mark IV rifle's features and the external magazine's mechanism, designed to convert the single-shot rifle into a five-round repeater. Despite its ingenuity, the system faced issues with reliability, high conversion costs, and was ultimately overshadowed by superior bolt-action designs like the Lee-Metford.