Sword

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This bronze sword was found at Fendom in Ross and Cromarty. It was a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The leaf-shaped blade has a broad, flat rounded midrib. It has rivet holes at the base of the hilt plate, but the hilt is missing.

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: 000-100-104-088-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DL 52
• Date: 950 - 750 BC
  Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; leaf shaped; hilt missing; broad, flat rounded midrib; notched under recasso; rivet holes at base of hilt plate
  
• Dimensions: 23" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Tain, Fendom
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze sword from Fendom, Ross and Cromarty, 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. 85. 
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