Restored Roman Sun Hat Goes on Display

Archaeology Magazine ^ | August 19, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

The Bolton News reports that an exceedingly rare, once decrepit ancient Roman sun hat has recently been brought back to life thanks to the work of skilled conservators and is set to go on public display for the first time at England's Bolton Museum. The woolen cap is only one of three similar Roman headpieces known to still survive. It dates to around a.d. 200 and was likely made for a member of the Roman military who was stationed in Egypt following Rome's conquest of the territory in the first century b.c. Although it resembles other contemporary Roman hats in appearance, this one had been slightly altered to better protect the wearer against Egypt's intense heat and sandstorms. The piece was donated to Bolton's now-demolished Chadwick Museum in 1911 by world-renowned archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie. It subsequently fell into the collection of the Bolton Museum, but after sitting in storage for decades had become severely damaged by moths. However, textile conservator Jacqui Hyman was able to carefully restore it to its original appearance. "Suddenly, a flat, fragile, boxed item had come to life," she said. "This hat was made to be worn, but if only it could talk and tell us who made it and who wore it." To read about Roman military boots found at the site of Vindolanda along Hadrian's Wall, go to "The Wall at the End of the Empire: Life on the Frontier."

[SunkenCiv]

Roman sun hat after conservation

Bolton Museum

[SunkenCiv]

The palindrome of Bolton would be Notlob.

[Red Badger]

[PUGACHEV]

The style of the hat would seem to be a truly timeless.

[SunkenCiv]

Yup. The human head doesn’t change that much.

[SunkenCiv]

When it’s taken from the head to the rack, someone is pithed off.

[Jeff Chandler]

[jmacusa]

It’s a deer stalker cap.

[Larry Lucido]

The horror...

[RWGinger]

That is a worthy Monday groan

Good one

[Red Badger]

In this case, it’s better to be pithed ON than pithed OFF!.............

[BenLurkin]

[Magnum44]

[PUGACHEV]

Italians have always had a knack for fashion.

[Hot Tabasco]

Looks like left over pizza dough

[laplata]

She did a great job restoring that hat.

The Roman Empire was amazing in so many ways.

[SunkenCiv]

https://www.calabriatheotheritaly.com/stromboli-sicily/

[SunkenCiv]

😊

[tlozo]

Yup, looks like a winter hat.

[bgill]

See, this is why it is best to invest in a classic. It doesn’t go out of style.