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1884.119.272

Bronze spear-head

1884.119.272

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Collection type
Object
Description
Bronze spear-head
Long description
Tool or weapon - possibly a halberd. This is a long slender, tanged blade with a single rivet hole in the narrow, rectangular tang, and a broad rib. Please note that this object does not have the seven broken rivet holes nor a rivet in situ.
Geographical reference
Ireland, Republic of
Europe > Northern Europe > Ireland, Republic of
Ireland County Kerry Killarney Innisfallen
Date
Date collected
By 1874
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Copper Alloy Metal, Material Bronze Metal, Process Riveted
Dimensions
Length x Width x Height: max 240 x 26 x 5 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.119.272 PR Cat other PR nos: 2607
Research and responses

Pitt Rivers was in Ireland [serving in the Army] from 1862-66, this object may have been obtained during this period [Bowden, 1991: 60-4]. Note that there is an entry in the 'Green book' for two 'bronze daggers forgeries'. These cannot be matched at the present time as there is insufficient information but no daggers are currently identifed as being reproductions. Any of the bronze daggers in the existing catalogue may therefore be reproductions [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

Associated publications
Listed as number 943 under category 'Group IV', sub-category 'Damaged Weapons with Reworked Butts', on page 102 of The Dirks and Rapiers of Great Britain and Ireland (Prähistorische Bronzefunde, IV, 7), by Colin B. Burgess and Sabine Gerloff (Munich: C. H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung (Oscar Beck), 1981): '943. Innisfallen Island, Lakes of Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland. - Blade with flanged riveted tang, possibly cut down from a rapier or sword, possibly made in this form; good, but worn black and gold water patina; present L. 20,4 cm, present W. 2.7 cm (Pl. 113, 943). - Pitt Rivers Mus. Oxford (1884.119.272).' See also line-drawing in Plate 113 (unpaginated). Photocopy in RDF. [JC 11 7 2008]

Search terms: Tool, Weapon, Knife

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