Bronze Socketed Spearhead
Found near Killaloe, this Late Bronze Age (1000-600 BC) bronze spearhead possesses a lozenge shaped blade and has a long, round-sectioned socket extending from the point and projecting for 7.8 cm beyond the base of the blade. The socket is round in cross-section and decorated on each face. Length overall: 21.5 cm; maximum width (blade): 3.6 cm; maximum diameter (socket): 2 cm; maximum thickness of socket lip: 3.3 mm.
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.
1974:31
Clare
Places: Killaloe Parish
The
Bronze Age
Clare Archaeology
National Museum
of Ireland: Irish Antiquities Division Collection
