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Slashing and thrusting with Late Bronze Age spears: analysis and experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Kate Anderson
Kate Anderson*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, West Wing, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QZ, UK
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Extract

The bronze spearhead at the end of a long shaft is traditionally seen as a thrusting or throwing weapon, as seen in the movies. By examining the damage on a group of Late Bronze Age spearheads from Britain, and replicating their use in combat, the author shows that the spear was an even more versatile weapon — for throwing, thrusting and slashing (with a short shaft). The research puts a spotlight on the formidable skills developed in a Bronze Age life-time.

Keywords

BritainIrelandLate Bronze Agespearswordshieldconflict

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Method
Information
Antiquity , Volume 85 , Issue 328 , June 2011, pp. 599 - 612
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2011

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