Mail - this armor of metal rings, which were used for protection against arrows and swords in battle. Came about in the I century BC But still not clear who and where invented it. Archaeologists find chainmail in excavations in Europe and Asia. Most likely, this metal security network appeared simultaneously and independently, and there, and there.
There are several different types of armor. It only covered the body and shoulders shirt or full Hauberk covering the whole body and legs. On average, one coat of mail took several pounds of iron. But the thing could serve almost forever - if damaged by any portion of the ring master just changed to new ones.