How did people fight in the Bronze Age? Were the tarnished bronze swords we see in museums ever used in combat? And can science shed light on long-forgotten fighting styles? These questions are being explored by an innovative project led by Newcastle University, which combines prehistoric combat tests with the wear analysis of archaeological and experimental weapons. The project involves a series of controlled combat experiments with replica Bronze Age swords, spears, and axes. A rigorous experimental protocol has been devised for testing these weapons on replica shields as well as other weapons. The marks generated in the tests are then compared with those found on archaeological weapons; this gives us insights into prehistoric fighting and warfare. As the project approaches its conclusion, the data are flowing through.
How did people fight in the Bronze Age? Were the tarnished bronze swords we see in museums ever used in combat? And can science shed light on long-forgotten fighting styles? These questions are being explored by an innovative project led by Newcastle University, which combines prehistoric combat tests with the wear analysis of archaeological and experimental weapons. The project involves a series of controlled combat experiments with replica Bronze Age swords, spears, and axes. A rigorous experimental protocol has been devised for testing these weapons on replica shields as well as other weapons. The marks generated in the tests are then compared with those found on archaeological weapons; this gives us insights into prehistoric fighting and warfare. As the project approaches its conclusion, the data are flowing through.
Check these pages for sneaky previews!
Check these pages for sneaky previews!