Experimental archeology sheds light on the skill and technique of Bronze Age spear combat

How do you know if and how a prehistoric weapon was used? How can we better understand the dexterity and combat skills involved in Bronze Age spear combat?

A research team including scientists from the University of Göttingen presents a new approach to answering these questions: They simulated real combat step by step to gain new insights into fighting styles and the formation of marks on weapons . Additionally, they took into account the evolution of these brands over time. Their findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Sciences.

The study of spear combat in the Bronze Age helps researchers better understand combat strategies and weapon development. Experimental methods can be used to study how the spears interact with different materials as well as the formation of the marks and their meaning. For this reason, the team built replicas of Bronze Age spears and used them in realistic combat scenarios to see how the spear tips reacted against metal blades, wooden handles and shields. Researchers have also used animal tissues to mimic the human body.

The team used knowledge pooled from previous research to develop this reliable and repeatable method to better understand the dynamics of combat and the formation of marks on weapons. These experiments examine the type and frequency of collisions during spear fights and, for the first time, show how impact marks on spears change over time.

The tests provided clues about the skills required for different combat techniques and produced valuable information for reconstructing battles based on the marks the weapons bear on their surfaces. In fact, the experimentally generated markings successfully mirrored those found on weapons in many archaeological discoveries. This means that it is now possible to reconstruct whether and how Bronze Age spears in museum collections were used.

“Our experiments will benefit future research, as we have created a useful guide to recognizing and understanding wear and tear on Bronze Age weapons. This source of information will allow researchers and museum curators to study objects already present in their samples and collections with a new perspective They can compare the marks they find with those that we have documented and made available for free”, explains Dr. Valerio Gentile, who carried out the study as part of his. Ph.D. studies at Leiden University and is currently conducting similar research at the Department of Prehistory and Ancient History at the University of Göttingen.

“Our findings show how weapons were used and what techniques were employed. We may also be able to use our research to discover whether Bronze Age weapons were used in large-scale battles or duels. This is important for understanding the nature and intensity of conflicts in the past.