Clockwise or anti-clockwise?: A method for distinguishing Roman from medieval mail armour

Seemingly insignificant details in material culture can be highly informative, especially when studied from a long-term perspective. The direction in the overlap of riveted mail rings is one such detail. This feature can determine whether mail armour is Roman or Medieval. Roman mail has riveted rings with a clockwise overlap, while Medieval mail is invariably anti-clockwise. In addition, the direction of the overlap, together with the type of rings used in a mail coat, confirms the existence of an autonomous mail production in the Barbaricum, beyond the Roman Empire