Unlocking bronze age combat sword experiments and wear analysis
Following the ever-increasing interest in prehistoric violence and warfare, my research aims to reconstruct the sword fighting styles of the Middle and Late Bronze Age in Europe (c. 1650-600 BC), with a particular focus on Britain and Italy. The fighting styles are investigated through an innovative combination of combat experiments, partially based on historical sources, and metalwork wear analysis of archaeological swords from both countries. For the experiments, a new methodology had to be developed, allowing me to record and link the marks created through specific actions during live combat. The experiments were successfully carried out over a number of field days, and a reference database of wear marks was created. As for the wear analysis, existing methodologies were developed further, and analysis was carried out on a total of I 10 swords from various British and Italian museums. Over 2300 combat-related w'ear marks could be identified, and the most detailed list of Bronze Age wear marks to date was created. Comparing the experimental and archaeological marks has enabled me to propose original observations regarding fighting practices and swordsmanship in Middle and Late Bronze Age Europe.
Hermann, Raphael
Unlocking bronze age combat sword experiments and wear analysis. Following the ever-increasing interest in prehistoric violence and warfare, my research aims to reconstruct the sword fighting styles of the Middle and Late Bronze Age in Europe (c. 1650-600 BC), with a particular focus on Britain and Italy. The fighting styles are investigated through an innovative combination of combat experiments, partially based on historical sources, and metalwork wear analysis of archaeological swords from both countries. For the experiments, a new methodology had to be developed, allowing me to record and link the marks created through specific actions during live combat. The experiments were successfully carried out over a number of field days, and a reference database of wear marks was created. As for the wear analysis, existing methodologies were developed further, and analysis was carried out on a total of I 10 swords from various British and Italian museums. Over 2300 combat-related w'ear marks could be identified, and the most detailed list of Bronze Age wear marks to date was created. Comparing the experimental and archaeological marks has enabled me to propose original observations regarding fighting practices and swordsmanship in Middle and Late Bronze Age Europe.
bronze_age combat sword wear_analysis following ever increasing interest prehistoric violence warfare aim_reconstruct sword fight style middle late bronze age europe particular_focus britain italy fighting style investigate innovative combination combat partially base historical_source metalwork wear_analysis archaeological sword country new develop allow record link mark create specific action live combat successfully carried number field day reference database wear mark create wear_analysis exist methodology develop analysis_carry total sword various british_italian museum combat related ear mark could_identify detailed list bronze age wear marks date create comparing experimental_archaeological mark enable propose original observation regard fight practice middle late bronze age europe