Bronze Age Battles: Modern Fighters Test Ancient Weapons

As 2024 draws to a close, let's take a look at some fascinating science stories that almost slipped under the radar. From recreating Bronze Age spear fights to using network theory on Bach's music, these topics cover a wide range of interests. The Bronze Age in Europe was a time of institutionalized warfare, as seen through the numerous spearheads and weapons found by archaeologists. Dutch researchers wanted to see how these artifacts were actually used in combat. They built replicas of Bronze Age shields and spears and put them to the test with experienced fighters. Their findings were published in the Journal of Archaeological Science in October.

There have been some previous studies on bronze spears, but these were quite limited, focusing mainly on throwing weapons against stationary shields. The Dutch team, however, had experts with over a decade of experience in traditional martial arts. They tested the replica weapons in different combat scenarios, including controlled collisions, delivering body blows, and free sparring. The wear marks on the spearheads matched those found on genuine Bronze Age weapons, providing insights into the skills needed to use these ancient tools. This hands-on approach offers a unique perspective on how warfare might have been conducted thousands of years ago.

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