Beyond the Blade: Re-evaluating the Functional Attribution of Bronze Age Weaponry
Is it a spearhead or a dagger blade? Is it a halberd blade or a knife? Attribution of un-hafted ancient blades is sometimes close to impossible.
Ancient Artifacts from the Bronze Age
Ancient Artifacts from the Bronze Age
Andrzej M Izyk
Researcher of ancient history and religions, author of 'The Sky Father: The Lost Bronze Age God Behind Zeus, Jupiter, Tyr and Deus', curator of the 'Sancta Clara' collection of historic bronze artifacts.
The analysis of wear patterns—bronze weapon traceology
When we excavate a beautifully crafted Late Bronze Age flange-hilted sword, the first question is always: Was this the weapon of a seasoned warrior, or a pristine status symbol meant only for display or burial? To answer this, we look…
The Anatomy of Ancient Weapons: The Evolution of Axes and Swords
The transition from early copper daggers to the formidable longswords of the Late Bronze Age is a fascinating study in ancient engineering. The core challenge for ancient bronzesmiths wasn’t just casting a long blade; it was solving the “hafting problem.”…
The Collector’s Eye: Identifying Modern Forgeries in Ancient Bronze Markets
Modern false antiques Anyone who has spent time in the world of ancient bronzes eventually arrives at the same uncomfortable realisation: a significant proportion of the “ancient” copper alloy artifacts circulating in online marketplaces, antique shops, and even some auction…
Evolution of the ancient axe morphology
Forging the Edge: The Long Evolution of the Ancient Axe The axe is the oldest tool we still recognise as our own. Long before the sword, before the spear was hafted with any sophistication, before the very idea of a…