Just a thought re wicker for shields. I'm reading a book called "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield (ISBN 0-385-49251-0). It is a novel of the battle of Thermoylae, Greeks against the Persians under Xerxes - 480 BC. In describing the battle tactics of the Spartans, the author points out that wicker was used to entrap blades and points. Perhaps this is one reason these shields were made of wicker (plus there was lots of reeds around).
The book is an excellant read. IMHO it would make a fantastic movie.
Greg
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