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Early Bronze Age copper halberd
With a symmetrical blade containing four rivet holes, the rivets themselves are missing. Strongly marked keeled midrib and triple bevelled edges and point.
Copper halberd made of Irish copper, 2300-2150 BCE. Found at Tonfannau, north-west Wales.
Fine blades, known as halberds, were once secured onto long wooden poles. They were made of copper from Ireland, but cast in Britain. Halberds were very good at cleaving and smashing skulls, whether human or animal. They were weapons of status, and were proably used in ceremonies.
SC5.5
Collection Area
Archaeology & Numismatics
Item Number
33.209/1
Find Information
Site Name: Tonfannau Quarry, Towyn
Notes: found in loose rubble on the surface of No.5 level of the quarry approximately 5km NW of Towyn
Measurements
length / mm:292.0
maximum width / mm:81.5 (at hilt)
width / mm
maximum thickness / mm:7.5
thickness / mm
weight / g:394.1
diameter / mm:8.0-8.5*
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