How a 2,000-year-old hat kept Romans out of the sun

It is thought the hat was specially adapted protect Roman soldiers in the sun

A 2,000-year-old hat intended to keep Roman soldiers cool in the heat of the desert following their conquest of Ancient Egypt has been painstakingly brought back to life.

The artefact, believed to be one of only three similar headpieces remaining in the world, was held in storage at Bolton Museum for more than a century until a private donation led to its restoration.

Conservator Jacqui Hyman said the felt hat was flat and moth-bitten when it was taken out of the box, and "sensitive treatment was paramount, due to its fragility".

"This hat was made to be worn - but if only it could talk and tell us who made it and who wore it," she said.

Historians at the museum estimate the head covering was made about 30BC for a member of the Roman military in Egypt following the death of Queen Cleopatra VII, when the ancient kingdom fell under the dominion of the Roman Empire.

Similar to other hats used by Roman soldiers at the time, it is thought the headpiece was adapted to provide protection against sandstorms and the hot desert sun.

The hat was donated to the Chadwick Museum in 1911

English archaeologist Sir William Flinders Petrie - dubbed by many as the 'man who discovered Egypt - donated the hat to the now-demolished Chadwick Museum in Bolton in 1911.

It has subsequently come under the ownership of Bolton Museum, where it has gone on display for the first time following its restoration.

Run by Bolton Council, the museum has a world-renowned collection of more than 12,000 Ancient Egyptian artefacts.

The hat restoration was funded by a donation from Darwen-based electrical manufacturers Ritherdon.

Sun hats from the same period can be seen in only two other museums around the world. One such hat is held at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, and the other at a museum in Florence, Italy.