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How did Chinese warriors use rhinoceros skin for armour in the 11th century BCE?
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armour
The development of Western body armour through the centuries.
In the 11th century BCE, Chinese warriors utilized rhinoceros skin as a primary material for armour. To provide effective protection, the skin was fashioned into garments consisting of five to seven layers of the hide. This practice highlights the early use of tough, resistant organic materials to create defensive equipment before the widespread adoption of metal plate or mail systems.1