Local Variations in Swordsmanship
Metalwork Wear Analysis on eight Swords and a Spearhead from early Bronze Age Jutland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7146/dja.v14i1.148837Keywords:
Early Bronze Age, Metalwork wear analysis, Combat, Swordsmanship, use-wear analysisAbstract
This study is centered around local variations in swordsmanship in Bronze Age Denmark. This is studied through Metalwork Wear Analysis (MWA) of eight Early Bronze Age swords and one spearhead from Jutland, three of which were studied in greater detail. The material is primarily from period II and III from Aalborg Amt. Results show high levels of swordsmanship but also demonstrate a remarkable difference in wear mark distribution and clustering. Two contemporary but distinct styles of fencing with swords are therefore suggested through MWA. MWA of the spearhead showed signs of slashing use, which shows that the notion of spears being only thrusting weapons, is too simplistic. Finally, the general results of the MWA have been put into its European context, by comparing the patterns to ones from Italy and Britain. The material studied showed different clustering patterns than seen in Italy in Britain. Furthermore, it is suggested that Northern Jutland fencing style was less focused on the binding of sword blades, as well as being based more on sword versus spear combat, than sword versus sword combat, as is the case in Britain and Italy.
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