Sword

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This bronze sword was found at Southfield at Gladsmuir in East Lothian. It was a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The leaf-shaped sword has two rivet holes in each wing, one still preserving the rivet. Part of the hilt plate is broken off.

Technological advances in bronze casting in the late Bronze Age resulted in new and better weapons. Long slashing swords became popular in the early 1st millennium BC. They could be used on foot or from horseback, and were prestigious weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-081-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DL 20
• Date: 950 - 750 BC
  Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; leaf shaped; part of handle plate broken off; two rivet holes in each wing, one with rivet
  
• Dimensions: 22.88" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Gladsmuir, Southfield
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze sword from Southfield, Gladsmuir, East Lothian, 950 - 750 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish late Bronze Age metalwork: typology, distributions and chronology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 93 (1959-1960), pp 16-134, esp. 83. 
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