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The existence of shields date back to early prehistory. The oldest form of shield was a protection device designed to block attacks by hand weapons, Primarily a defensive tool, they have evolved in design over millennia to suit different purposes and capabilities. Shields hung on the walls of early dwellings making them some of the first wall art.

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Shields have varied greatly in construction over time and place. Typically; round, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, bilabial or scallop shaped. Shields were often decorated with painted patterns, insignia or an animal representation to show a clan identity. These designs developed into systematized heraldic devices during the High Middle Ages for purposes of clan identification.