Bronze Leaf Shaped Sword
Found in the townland of Killaloe, parish of Killaloe, barony of Tulla Upper, this Late Bronze Age (1000-600 BC) leaf -shaped sword is heavily patinated and pitted all over and is missing most of its tang. The point is broken off the leaf shaped blade which has a broad mid-rib and bevelled edges. The wings are angular and each is pierced by a single rivet hole. Maximum length: 35.8cm; Width at wings: 3.9cm; Max width (blade): 3.4 cm; Max thickness (blade): 9.5 mm; Average width (surviving part of tang): 6mm.
During the Bronze Age metal objects were deliberately deposited in rivers, bogs and lakes. The act of placing these objects, either in hoards or singly, in water and watery contexts was no doubt overtly ritual and may have been linked to events such as births or deaths in the community. Although depositing the metal was a ritual act, political and economic benefits resulted. It is possible that Bronze Age social hierarchies were in part maintained by controlling the exchange of prestigious items such as metalwork. Ritually depositing metal was public display of the destruction of wealth and could be used to build personal status. At the same time, metal was taken out of circulation thereby controlling its supply and value.
1974:29
Clare
Places: Barony of Tulla Upper
The
Bronze Age
Clare Archaeology
National Museum
of Ireland: Irish Antiquities Division Collection
