Early Iron Age iron spearhead
Leaf-shaped spearhead with a split socket, damaged at the mouth. The socket penetrates only to the base of the lozenge-sectioned blade. The blade has a weak mid-rib.
This spearhead was made about 2,700 years ago, at the very beginning of the Iron Age. It was found in peat at the bottom of Llyn Fawr, a lake near Hirwaun, south Wales. The maker was still experimenting with the new technology. He laboriously hammered the iron to make the object look as if it had been cast in bronze.
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© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
Collection Area
Archaeology & Numismatics
Find Information
Site Name:
Llyn Fawr, Rhigos
Collection Method: surface find
Date: 1911
Notes: found in a small area on the east side of Llyn Fawr lying in peat on the bed of the lake, which was at that time being cleared to facilitate the completion of a reservoir.
Acquisition
Donation, 31/1/1912
Measurements
length / mm:233.0
width / mm:36.0
thickness / mm:24.0
length / mm:130.0 (of blade)
length / mm:103.0 (of socket)
diameter / mm:c.86.0
diameter / mm:6.0 (of peg hole)
maximum thickness / mm:5.5 (of blade)
Location
St Fagans Gweithdy gallery : Bronze and Iron Working
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