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	Late Roman, Romano-British and Migration Era Historical Re-enactmentt
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		Research & Reconstruction
One of the aims of Comitatus is to conduct research and reconstruction. By sheer necessity we must carry out quite intensive research to create our clothing, equipment and weaponry. The periods we cover are not well documented, either in historical records or archaeologically. For many, this is one of the great attractions of the Late Roman/Migration era! A great many of the artefacts we use have been especially made, either for us by specialist craftsmen, or by our own members. Everyone is encouraged to explore the period through museum displays, historical narratives, modern text-books and period illustrations to reconstruct a suitable 'impression'. Where possible it is desirable for members to be able to point to part of their wardrobe or kit and refer to its historical inspiration. Good copies of historical originals are a must! By recreating the past in this way, we learn a great deal about it. Rather than rely on the musings of academics, we can grasp hard facts. We can explore the past viscerally. We can answer questions. How long does an oil lamp burn? How far does a cheiroballista shoot? How long do hobnail boots last on the march? How fast can a loom be operated? What does Roman fish sauce taste like? How reliable is flint & tinder? Can you sew leather using a boar's bristle as a needle? How wide should a tunic be? This part of the Comitatus website is devoted to some of our reconstructions, in articles, discussions and in photographs. We are very serious about our work in this field and we have a growing reputation based on our authentic approach to the Late Roman and Germanic period. Click on the articles or photographs in the list below. They are stored as eitherInternet pages, PDF or JPG files.
Articles					Living History
The Dorchester-on-Thames belt & the Soldier that wore it NEW!! An in-depth assessment of the social context of the most famous Late Roman belt set, proposing a credible reconstruction of the life of the owner by Paul Browne					Reconstruction Archaeology Our approach to archaeological reconstruction explained.
					Roman Tents and Shelters
Fourth Century Roman Military Knives NEW!! A discussion of the evidence for the form, size and use of knives at the end of Roman Britain by Stephen Atkinson					Roman Woodworking
In their Shoes NEW!! A quick tiptoe through the types of Roman footwear by Stephen Kenwright					The Comitatus Ballista - 'Constantine' Commissioned for 2006, this iron-frame bolt-shooter is based on Late Roman finds and is an accurate full-scale replica. An exciting new addition to the Legio Praesidiensis.
Our Cavalry Research 2008 Comitatus has worked with cavalry since its inception. We have now been able to develop own unit of riding members: the Equites Taifali. What we do, how we do it - and why. Discussing horse breeds, weapon use from horseback, Late Roman saddle types and more …					Illustrated Roman Cookery Photographs of Roman dishes ready to eat. Very nice they are too (with a couple of exceptions!). Included with each photograph is a hyperlink to an online recipe.
The Writing on the Wall Reconstructing Roman scripts circa 400 AD. by Stephen Kenwright					Cooking Fish An experiment, iron-age style, cooking fish in clay on an open fire.
Conference Sponsorship Comitatus was a sponsor of the LATE ANTIQUE ARCHAEOLOGY 2007 Conference at the Ashmolean, March 10/11. This partnership acknowledged our commitment to authenticity and to experimental archaeology - as the articles on this page testify!					Casting Roman Sling Shot Creating Roman lead sling bullets using clay moulds, by P. Elliott.
Roman Bridlington An article by J.Conyard considering some of the Roman finds in Bridlington. The location of Praesidium? See also the article titled: Where is the Fort Called Praesidium?.					The Soldier Shelter Paul Elliott’s guide to creating a cheap and simple marching shelter, as depicted in a 6thC manuscript, the Vienna Genesis.
Where is the Fort Called Praesidium? Discussing the location of the fortress Praesidium, somewhere in Yorkshire, by P. Elliott.					Cooking With a Clay Pot Advice and notes on this delicate art, from Lee and Sarah Steele.
Map of Northern England in Roman Britain 400AD Based on archaeology, epigraphy, literature and some extrapolation on my part, this is a map of northern Britain (Britannia Secunda) in 400AD and includes roads, villas, forts, kilns, towns and an all-Roman naming convention. Designed by Paul Elliott.					Legionary Rations Short discussion on the rations carried by legionaries on the march by P. Elliott.
					Roman Bread Oven A quick look at a Roman bread oven experiment undertaken at Heron Corn Mill during the summer 2005. With photographs.
Re-enactment Kit					Guidelines for the Use of Plumbatae A short account of one man's experience with the plumbata, the Late Roman throwing dart. These weapons are a distinct feature of Late Roman warfare, but can be tricky to use.
Beginner’s Guide to COMITATUS Everything you need to know to get started!
Comitatus Guide to Making Shoes NEW!! It's easier than you might think to produce your very own designer original. Have a go! By Stephen Kenwright & John Conyard					Marching in Authentic Kit
Clothing Fit for a Roman Lady A completely revised kit guide for female dress by Ste Kenwright It's quite a large pdf. file, and I have an even larger version if you'd like one via email.					Cross-Country Marching Why we experiment with cross-country marches, different loads, types of terrain and objectives. With a complete list of marches to-date.
Looking the Part An article by John Conyard on dressing for the 4^th and 5^th century.					Antonius Walks the Wall NEW!! Anthony Shelmerdine's authentic 85-mile charity walk along the length of the wall, raising money for Cancer Research UK, October 2008.
Tunic Construction Dos and don'ts when making 4th century tunics by John Conyard.					Wall Walk IV NEW!! 18 miles marching over Cawfields, Haltwhistle Burn, Great Chesters and Milking Gap, September 2008. Wall Walk #4 Gallery (courtesy John Conyard)
Painting Tunics Creating acceptable Late Roman decorated tunics by John Conyard.					The Ultimate - The Wall Revisited October 2007
Thorsberg Trousers - Pattern Thorsberg Socks - Examples Tunic Construction - Updated Example Pattern					The Piercebridge Walk Studying the site, and an 8-mile river route March 2007.
Brooches & Belts - A reassessment Looking at regional styles in C4th Britain by John Conyard					Return to the Wall Comitatus attempts an 11 mile patrol along the most rugged section of Hadrian's Wall in September 2006.
Who Am I? Creating an historical identity that has meaning, authenticity and a good name! In two parts, by Stephen Kenwright.					The Moors Walk Three-man march across the North Yorkshire Moors from Goathland to the Cawthorn Marching Camps, with a complete three-day kit, rations and tent. April 2006
Combat in Comitatus Why we put on combat displays, what we do and how we do it. John Conyard discusses the merits of sharp weapons as well as maintaining a discipline in weapons practice. The article touches on every weapon type used by the group.					The Hadrian's Wall Walk A two day authentic camping & marching experiment along Hadrian's Wall in full kit, by P.Elliott October 2005
Mars Triumphant - Late Roman Drill How Comitatus recreates Late Roman drill, put into context with drill from earlier and later periods. By J.Conyard.					Climbing Scafell Pike Five Comitatus members climb England's highest mountain in light infantry kit, by P. Elliott January 2005
Portraying the Legionary Historical background for members of the Legio Praesidiensis, by J. Conyard
					Photos Vertical Loom Pole Lathe Irish Wolfhounds Dyeing Wool Basket Weaving Roman Cookery in Reconstructed Barracks Woodcarving Bread Oven