Vol. 2022 (2023): Communicationes Archaeologicae Hungariae
Studies

Late Bronze Age Swords with Leaded Hilts from Hungary

PDF
  • János Gábor Tarbay,
  • Boglárka Maróti
Boglárka Maróti
Nuclear Analysis and Radiography Department, Centre for Energy Research
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54640/CAH.2022.83

Published 2023-09-21

Keywords

  • lead, handheld XRF, swords, point of balance, metalwork and use-wear analysis, Late Bronze Age.

How to Cite

Tarbay, J. G., & Maróti, B. (2023). Late Bronze Age Swords with Leaded Hilts from Hungary. Communicationes Archaeologicae Hungariae, 2022, 83–96. https://doi.org/10.54640/CAH.2022.83

Abstract

Late Bronze Age swords are associated with several technological innovations, one of the lesser-known examples being the casting of lead on the hilt of bronze swords. There are many practical reasons for that, including changing the sword’s point of balance, repairing casting defects, and improving the fastening of metal hilts and hilt plates. Some theorise that the addition of lead may even have a ritual explanation. In this study, handheld XRF analyses of three Late Bronze Age (Br C–Br D) flange-hilted bronze swords from river and lake environments in Hungary, Komárom-Szőny-Oil Refinery-River Danube (Komárom-Esztergom County), Lake Balaton, and Gyomaendrőd (Békés County), were carried out. The results of the measurements were used to determine whether the thick, pale, grey residue on the handles of the swords could be identified as lead.

PDF