[5] They may be a decorative embellishment influenced by Etruscan helmets from the sixth century BC,[6] which had similar, lead-filled bosses, that would have deflected blades.

[9][1] It was said to have been found "at a depth of about four feet",[10] although the exact findspot within Witcham Gravel is unknown; at the time, the parish comprised about 389 acres.

[17] Five small bosses were likewise riveted to the ornate cheek guards, already featuring repoussage depicting naturalistic ears.

[10] Witcham Gravel was at the time a parish of about 389 acres (157 ha), a significant amount of which was covered by fens.

[11] By 1877, the helmet was in the possession of Thomas Maylin Vipan,[2] who at various times served as the alderman of the Isle of Ely County Council and the Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.

[2][23] That November, the British Museum bought the helmet from the Rollin & Feuardent auction house, who sold it on instructions from Vipan's estate.

[29][2] In 1993, the helmet was displayed at the Abbaye de Daoloas (fr) by Quimper in France, where it was part of the exhibition "Rome face aux Barbes" from 18 June to 26 September.

[13][32][33] The helmet was likely produced around the third quarter of the first century AD, based on the size and steep angle of the neck guard.

[6] These examples are filled with lead, which would have helped deflect blades;[7][8] the bosses on the Witcham Gravel helmet are hollow, by contrast, suggesting a decorative function.