Interestingly, the things the Dutch collected back then were not limited to items from their own colonies; another large box contained a complete set of chainmail armor.
When it comes to chainmail armor, many people may instantly think of the armor used by Muslims in the Middle East and Central Asia. However, due to military cultural exchanges, chainmail actually appeared in many regions.
For example, the Ming Dynasty in China had a type of armor called "Full Iron Armor," which was actually a form of chainmail. Considering that Turkish firearms, known as Lumi guns, could reach China then, it is normal for Turkish armor to have been transmitted as well.
But the suit of chainmail Leonard and others have now found is neither an original Turkish product nor a Chinese imitation, but rather a Filipino product.
Philippine chainmail first appeared in the 16th century. At that time, the Philippines was actually a region with quite a complex political situation.
