In pre-Qin dynasty times, leather armor was made out of rhinoceros. Later cuirasses and plates were also used. In East Asian history laminated armor such as lamellar, and styles similar to the coat of plates, and brigandine were commonly used. While no non-metallic armor is known to have survived, it was likely to have been commonplace due to its lower cost.Įastern armor has a long history, beginning in Ancient China. The Romans widely adopted mail as the lorica hamata, although they also made use of lorica segmentata and lorica squamata. Most cultures who used mail used the Celtic word byrnne or a variant, suggesting the Celts as the originators. It is believed to have been invented by Celtic people in Europe about 500 BC.

Mail, also referred to as chainmail, is made of interlocking iron rings, which may be riveted or welded shut. The oldest known Western armor is the Dendra panoply, dating from the Mycenaean Era around 1400 BC. The first record of body armor in history was found on the Stele of Vultures in ancient Sumer in today's south Iraq. At times the development of armor has run parallel to the development of increasingly effective weaponry on the battlefield, with armorers seeking to create better protection without sacrificing mobility. For instance full plate armor first appeared in Medieval Europe when water-powered trip hammers made the formation of plates faster and cheaper. Significant factors in the development of armor include the economic and technological necessities of armor production. Many factors have affected the development of personal armor throughout human history. Bronze lamellae, Vietnam, 300 BC – 100 BC

Horse body armor kingdom come