Large Luristan Bronze Rat-Tail Spear Head

Object Description

A Luristan cast bronze spear-point featuring a triangle-shaped double-edged blade with raised mid-rib, and a substantial shank, flaring into a square-section tail, which ends with left-angled bend of a thinner tang. This ‘rat-tail’ construction inserted into a wooden shaft reduced further splitting upon use. Spearheads of this type are more commonly found in the territories of ancient Western Persia (modern Iran) and were used through the late Bronze Age into the Early Iron Age.

Date: Circa 1800-600 BC

Object Literature

For a similar item, The Metropolitan Museum, item 61.261.2.

Object Condition

Good condition, surface is covered in green patination.

Object Details