Pried Off & Damaged 

Many shield bosses from the Thorsberg and Nydam moors display a pronounced wavelike deformation of the rim. This indicates that they were forcibly levered from the shield board. 

Numerous shield bosses are dented and pierced. In isolation, such damage might still be interpreted as traces of combat. However, many of the punctures clearly originated not from the exterior, but from the interior. 

Place of discovery: Thorsberg Moor 

Material: Copper alloy 

This shield boss from Kalkriese likewise exhibits a wavelike deformation of the rim, indicating that it was forcibly pried from the shield. 

The Roman wine strainer was dented and pierced. Naturally, a wine strainer is not a shield boss, but it possesses the same form. Moreover, what purpose would such destruction have served if the Germanic peoples had intended to carry the strainer away as booty? 

Place of discovery: Kalkriese 

Material: Iron, copper alloy