Sword (piece)

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This bronze sword was found in a cairn at from Ballagan at Strathblane in Stirlingshire. It is part of a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The piece is from a leaf-shaped sword. The blade is rounded, and missing its point and hilt.

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: 000-100-104-084-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DL 29
• Date: 950 - 750 BC
  Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; leaf shaped
  Sword / portion
  
• Dimensions: 6.5" L
  
• What: Sword / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Strathblane, Ballagan
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of a bronze sword from Ballagan, Strathblane, Stirlingshire, 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. 86. 
• Translations:
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