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Why was strong basketry suitable for shields and protective armour?
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Basketry
Overview of basketry on Madeira Island, Portugal.
Strong basketry was utilized for shields and protective armour primarily because of its lightness, which allowed for greater mobility while still providing a defensive barrier against weapons.1
In addition to its weight advantages, the structural integrity of thick, strong basketry made it a practical material for defensive gear, such as helmets used in various regions including Africa, Hawaii, and the Assam region of India. Historical examples demonstrate its effectiveness, such as the use of coconut palm fibre armour by the inhabitants of the Gilbert Islands to protect against weapons fashioned from sharks' teeth.1