Bronze Age Sword

3D Model

Long, slashing swords like this one became common across Britain in the late Bronze Age, from around 900- 800 BC. By this period, Bronze Age metalworkers were highly skilled craftsmen, with a thorough understanding of the properties of bronze and how best to cast it. This knowledge allowed sophisticated and complex weapons to be made using techniques like riveting, which is how the handle would have been affixed to this sword. Although the bone or wooden handle has not survived you can see the rivets that would have secured it to the blade are still in place.

The edges would have been extremely sharp, while the leaf-shaped blade was ideally suited to long, slashing strokes. When new and highly polished, it would have looked a formidable weapon!

This sword was found near Mey in Caithness. Like other prestigious and valuable bronze items, it may have been thrown into a river or bog as an offering to the gods.