Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Early Bronze Age bronze dagger

Of ogival type, with a central thickening, bevelled edge and four grooves following the outline of the blade. Triangular butt with three rivet-holes (one broken) and two rivets remaining.

Bronze dagger, 1750-1500 BCE. Found at Ebnal, near Gobowen, England.

Bronze Age weapons have been discovered across Europe. They show how important warriors were in these early metal-working communities. Weapons have changed over time. At first flat daggers and knives were the most typical. These were followed by dirks and rapiers for stabbing and thrusting. Towards the end of the Bronze Age, the first true slashing swords became the weapons of choice. Bronze spearheads were also used. 3,700 years ago they replaced bows and arrows as the most common projectile weapon.

SC5.5

Collection Area

Archaeology & Numismatics

Item Number

21.24/31

Find Information

Site Name: Ebnal, Whittington

Date: 1848-1849

Notes: part of a hoard, along with 21.24/22 and 77.9H, which also originally comprised an end-looped socketed spearhead, a shouldered punch, a lugged tool and possibly two other flanged axes, all now lost.

Acquisition

Donation, 1/7/1921

Measurements

length / mm:164.5
maximum width / mm:56.5 (at hilt end)
width / mm
maximum thickness / mm:5.5
thickness / mm
diameter / mm:8.5 (of rivets)
diameter / mm:7.0 (of rivet holes)
weight / g:102.9

Material

copper alloy
Northover's composition group: C

Location

St Fagans Gweithdy gallery : Bronze Age Weapons

Collections Online is updated regularly, but please confirm that an object remains on display before making a special visit.

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.