F15 – Mounted Warrior / Horseman: Reference Image Sourcing Guide

Purpose

This file tells the user exactly which reference images to source or provide for Nano Banana Pro to render an archaeologically accurate Hallstatt-period mounted warrior. Images are organised by priority (must-have vs nice-to-have), with specific museum locations, search terms, and links drawn from the Block 2 visual references corpus where available.

MUST-HAVE Reference Images

These images are critical for accurate generation. Without them, the model will default to generic fantasy/medieval cavalry imagery, which is entirely wrong for the Hallstatt period.

1. Horse Gear – Bronze Bit and Cheekpieces

What the image should show: A complete or near-complete Hallstatt-period horse bridle assemblage: a two-part jointed bronze or iron snaffle bit with attached triple-hole cheekpieces (Dreiloch-Psalien). The cheekpieces should be clearly visible as elongated bars or curved pieces with three holes/attachment points.

Where to find it:

Oss chieftain’s burial horse gear – the best-published complete bridle assemblage. Two bridles and a yoke documented in detail.
- URL: https://www.academia.edu/28339464/Two_Bridles_and_a_Yoke_A_new_study_into_the_horse_gear_from_the_chieftains_burial_of_Oss (corpus: B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 23)
- Source: Academic publication with photographs and line drawings. ***
ResearchGate – Typological diagram of horse harness components
- URL: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Types-of-horse-harness-components-connecting-horse-burials-in-different-regions-1-Iron_fig2_319688185 (corpus: B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 22)
- Source: Academic publication. Shows iron bits, bronze phalerae, rein-knobs, and harness fittings from Hallstatt contexts. ***
Springer – Antler cheekpieces from Gzin
- URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-024-02089-z (corpus: B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 21)
- Source: Academic publication with detailed photographs of cheekpieces. *** [may require institutional access]

Why it matters: Without a reference image of actual Hallstatt horse gear, the model will generate medieval-style bits with curb chains, shanks, and other anachronistic elements. The Hallstatt bit is a simple jointed snaffle with no curb – visually very different from later horse gear.

2. Horse Gear – Bronze Phalerae (Decorative Discs)

What the image should show: Circular bronze discs (5-15 cm diameter) with repoussee geometric decoration – concentric circles, boss patterns, dot-and-circle motifs. These were attached to the bridle straps and breast strap of the horse as decorative elements.

Where to find it:

ResearchGate – Horse harness components typological figure
- URL: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Types-of-horse-harness-components-connecting-horse-burials-in-different-regions-1-Iron_fig2_319688185 (corpus: B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 22) – includes phalerae in the typological diagram. ***
ResearchGate – “The Spectacle of the Horse”
- URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260036893_The_Spectacle_of_the_Horse_On_Early_Iron_Age_Burial_Customs_in_the_Eastern-Alpine_Hallstatt_Region (corpus: B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 20) – includes illustrations of horse gear from eastern Alpine graves. ***
Search NHM Wien Sketchfab for “Hallstatt” + “horse” or “Pferdegeschirr” – the NHM has 3D-scanned many objects from the cemetery.
Search Europeana for: “phalerae Hallstatt” or “Pferdegeschirr Hallstattzeit”

Why it matters: Phalerae are the most visually distinctive decorative element on the Hallstatt horse. Without them, the horse looks generic. With them, it reads as specifically Hallstatt-period elite.

3. Situla Art Cavalry Scenes – Vace Situla Upper Frieze

What the image should show: The upper frieze of the Vace situla, which depicts a procession including mounted horsemen, a two-wheeled chariot, and a carriage. The horsemen ride with arched-neck horses, carry spears, and wear soft caps. The detail of riding posture (no stirrups, knees gripping, spear held upright) is critical.

Where to find it:

Google Arts & Culture – Vace situla
- URL: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-va%C4%8De-situla/MwENyQl39dmiZA (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***
NMS Ljubljana – official highlights page
- URL: https://www.nms.si/en/collections/highlights/420-Vace-Situla (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***
ResearchGate – publication-quality photograph
- URL: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Vace-situla-Sheet-bronze-height-238-cm-Kept-in-the-National-Museum-of-Slovenia_fig1_331717508 (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***
Wikimedia Commons – Vace Situla category (13 files including detail shots)
- URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Va%C4%8De_Situla (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) **
Saccoccio 2023 (Springer open access) – contains analytical line drawings of costume details from the Vace situla and other cavalry scenes.
- URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10963-023-09174-6 ***

Why it matters: This is the single most important reference for how a Hallstatt-period mounted warrior looks in contemporary art. The riding posture, costume, weapon carrying, and horse stylisation are all visible.

4. Strettweg Cult Wagon – Mounted Warrior Figures

What the image should show: The small bronze mounted warrior figures flanking the central goddess figure on the Strettweg cult wagon. These are three-dimensional representations of horsemen from c. 600 BC showing riders sitting on horses without saddles or stirrups, bearing weapons.

Where to find it:

Universalmuseum Joanneum – official museum page
- URL: https://www.museum-joanneum.at/archaeologiemuseum-schloss-eggenberg/entdecken/sammlung/kultwagen-von-strettweg (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md; B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 17) ***
Wikipedia – Strettweg cult wagon (multiple angles)
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strettweg_cult_wagon (corpus: B8_transport_equipment.md, entry 18) **
World History Encyclopedia
- URL: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13481/strettweg-cult-wagon/ (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) **
Modl 2023 – academic paper on the Strettweg wagon
- URL: https://www.academia.edu/108399654 **

Why it matters: The Strettweg riders are the only three-dimensional representations of Hallstatt-period horsemen. They show the relationship between rider and horse scale, the bare-back riding posture, and the minimal equipment set.

5. Hallstatt-Period Horse – Stylised Depiction with Arched Neck

What the image should show: The characteristic way Hallstatt/situla art depicts horses: compact body, strongly arched neck, small head, stylised mane (sometimes depicted as a crest or row of short spikes). This is essential to prevent the model from generating modern thoroughbred-proportioned horses.

Where to find it:

The Vace situla upper frieze (see entry 3 above) is the best single source.
The Certosa situla military procession frieze also includes horses:
- URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Situla_della_certosa,_600-550_ac._ca,_da_tomba_68_necropoli_della_certosa_01.JPG (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***
- URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Situla_della_Certosa (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) **
The Kuffarn situla includes riders and two-horse carts:
- URL: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/kuffern-situla/kgFrA20eF5zBgQ (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***
- URL: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/situla-from-kuffarn-nhmw-prae-17036-3a6cc51611d6466e82273b43a80f33c1 (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***

Why it matters: The Hallstatt horse is NOT a modern horse. It is a small, compact animal closer in size to a large pony. The arched-neck stylisation is the visual signature of Iron Age Central European horse depiction.

6. Negau-Type Helmet (for eastern Ha D variant)

What the image should show: A bronze Negau-type helmet – hemispherical to slightly conical cap with a wide brim or flange at the base, sometimes with a crest holder. The type is Etruscan-derived and characteristic of the southeastern Alpine zone in Ha D.

Where to find it:

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien – Helmet A from Negau
- URL: https://www.khm.at/en/objectdb/detail/65444/ (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 18) ***
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien – Helmet B with Harigast inscription
- URL: https://www.khm.at/en/objectdb/detail/65446/ (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 19) ***
Harvard Art Museums – Negau-type helmet
- URL: https://harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/57285 (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 21) **
Museum-digital Berlin – Negauer Helm (Alpine type)
- URL: https://smb.museum-digital.de/object/254351 (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 22) **
Wikimedia Commons – Category: Negau helmets
- URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Negau_helmets (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 25) **

Why it matters: Only needed if generating an EASTERN Hallstatt Ha D mounted warrior. Without it, the model will generate fantasy helmets. With the Negau reference, the helmet will have the correct low profile and wide brim. Do NOT use this reference for Ha C or western Hallstatt riders.

7. Hallstatt Weapons – Iron Spearhead

What the image should show: An iron spearhead with a leaf-shaped or lanceolate blade and a socket for the wooden shaft. Length typically 15-30 cm for the head.

Where to find it:

Spearheads are common in Hallstatt graves but individually photographed museum specimens online are scarce (noted as a gap in B6_weapons.md).
Ashmolean Museum Hallstatt Collection – includes spearheads among the 187 artefacts:
- URL: https://www.ashmolean.org/the-hallstatt-collection-sir-john-evans (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 36) **
Wikimedia Commons – Museum Hallstatt prehistoric collections
- URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Museum_Hallstatt_-_Prehistoric_collections (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 37) **
Search suggestion: “Hallstatt spearhead Lanzenspitze iron museum” on museum-digital.de or europeana.eu

Why it matters: The spear is the mounted warrior’s primary weapon. Its leaf-shaped form differs from later medieval lance points.

NICE-TO-HAVE Reference Images

These would improve accuracy but are not critical.

8. Hallstatt Sword Types (for Ha C mounted warrior)

Gundlingen-type sword – British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_WG-2271 (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 1) **
Mindelheim-type sword – British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1848-1021-1 (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 5) **
Antenna dagger with sheath (NHM Wien 3D scan) – https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/antenna-dagger-and-sheath-nhmw-prae-24048-1c51fd7dcffa41c5b596e62eeb0e6c31 (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 11) ***
Iron sword from Hallstatt (NHM Wien 3D scan) – https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/iron-sword-from-hallstatt-nhmw-prae-25449-12fad46112dc4b308f892a58791000b3 (corpus: B6_weapons.md, entry 8) ***

9. Fibulae – Kahnfibel (Ha C) and Certosa Fibula (Ha D)

Kahnfibel – museum-digital Thuringen: https://thue.museum-digital.de/index.php?t=objekt&oges=2578 (corpus: A3_fibulae.md, entry 4) **
Kahnfibel (boat-shaped) – Met Museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/246355 (corpus: A3_fibulae.md, entry 5) ***
Certosa fibula – Met Museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/246323 (corpus: A3_fibulae.md, entry 16) ***

10. Belt Plate with Horseman Scene (Magdalenska Gora)

Magdalenska Gora belt plate friezes – showing warriors and horsemen:
- URL: https://www.academia.edu/16487819/Eisenzeitliche_Grabhugel_auf_der_Magdalenska_gora (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***
- URL: https://www.academia.edu/2927008/Images_of_Life_and_Myth_Exhibition_Catalogue_on_Situla_Art_in_Slovenia_Ljubljana_2005 (corpus: A8_situla_art_costume.md) ***

11. Hallstatt Textile Patterns

For the rider’s tunic and cloak – patterned textiles from the Hallstatt mines:
- See all entries in A1_mine_textiles.md for close-up textile photographs showing weave structures, check patterns, and dye colours.

12. Leather Shoes (Hallstatt Mine Context)

NHM Wien Hallstatt leather and furs page
- URL: https://www.nhm.at/hallstatt/en/interdisciplinary/leather_furs__skins (corpus: A5_headgear_hair.md) **

Existing References in Corpus Directly Relevant to F15

The following Block 2 visual_references files contain links directly useful for the mounted warrior figure:

File	Relevant Content
B8_transport_equipment.md	Horse gear (bits, cheekpieces, phalerae), Strettweg cult wagon, wagon fittings. Entries 17-25 are directly relevant.
B6_weapons.md	Swords, daggers, helmets (Negau type, Kegelhelm), spearheads, body armour. Entries 1-38.
A8_situla_art_costume.md	All situla art sources showing mounted figures: Vace situla, Certosa situla, Kuffarn situla, Strettweg wagon.
A3_fibulae.md	Phase-correct fibula types for rider costume.
A4_belt_plates.md	Belt hooks and decorated belt plates.
A5_headgear_hair.md	Fur/leather mine caps (comparable headgear forms), Negau helmet context, situla art headgear.
A7_footwear.md	Hallstatt mine leather shoes.

Reference Images to AVOID Providing

The following types of reference images will actively mislead the model and produce anachronistic results:

Medieval cavalry images – Knights with plate armour, high saddles, stirrups, lance rests. Entirely wrong period, equipment, and riding style.
Celtic re-enactment photographs showing La Tene equipment – Many “Celtic” re-enactment groups depict La Tene (post-450 BC) warriors with two-wheeled chariots, torcs, and La Tene-style swords. These are phase-incorrect for Hallstatt.
Scythian or steppe cavalry imagery – While there are shared horse-culture elements, Scythian riders have different equipment (compound bows, different saddle types, different clothing).
Greek or Etruscan cavalry depictions – While these are contemporary, the equipment, armour, and riding styles differ significantly from the transalpine Hallstatt tradition.
Any image showing stirrups – Absolutely phase-incorrect. The mounted warrior grips with knees only.
Any image showing a two-wheeled chariot – This is a La Tene innovation and must not contaminate Hallstatt mounted warrior prompts. Hallstatt elite transport uses four-wheeled wagons; the mounted warrior rides a horse directly.
Modern horse breeds – Do not provide images of tall, leggy thoroughbreds or warmbloods. The Hallstatt horse was a compact animal of approximately 120-140 cm at the shoulder.
Gold-heavy imagery – Do not provide Hochdorf gold torc/shoe images as reference for a mounted warrior. Gold is reserved for the very highest princely rank, not for cavalrymen as a class.

Gap Summary

The following reference images proved difficult or impossible to locate online and represent gaps in the visual reference corpus:

Individual museum photographs of Hallstatt-period horse bits (Trensen): Bits from the Hallstatt cemetery are held at NHM Wien but do not appear as individually catalogued and photographed items in the online collection. The Oss chieftain’s burial horse gear publication is the best alternative.
Horse breastplates (Brustschmuck): Specific photographs of Hallstatt-period horse breastplates were not found as standalone catalogue entries (noted in B8_transport_equipment.md Gaps section). They appear in academic publications but not museum online databases.
Close-up photographs of individual phalerae from Hallstatt graves: Available mainly in Pare 1992 and specialist publications rather than online museum databases.
Spearheads as individual museum objects: Hallstatt spearheads are common finds but rarely individually photographed and catalogued online (noted in B6_weapons.md Gaps section).
Riding posture detail from situla art: Published line drawings (Abrollungen) from Lucke and Frey 1962 and Kastelic 1965 show riding posture details more clearly than photographs of the actual vessels, but these are not available as individual online images.