Prehistoric — Early-Middle Bronze Age; 1,680 - 1,400 BCE
Spearhead, side-looped spearhead
An Early to Middle Bronze Age copper alloy side-looped spearhead dating 1,680 - 1,400 BCE. A fragment of the ash wood shaft has survived within the socket. The wood has been radiocarbon dated to 1,600 - 1,400 BCE.
Male ash is often used to make the shafts of spears. Male ash, grows quickly and straight, it is strong yet flexible. These are ideal qualities for spear hafts.
This is one of a large number of prehistoric tools and weapons that were deliberately placed in the River Thames. There was a widespread practice of placing important objects into watery places such as rivers, springs and bogs that spans Europe.
- Category:
- Prehistoric
- Object ID:
- A11811
- Object name:
- spearhead, side-looped spearhead
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Early-Middle Bronze Age; 1,680 - 1,400 BCE
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- L 136 mm, W 27 mm, D 18 mm (overall), L 136 mm, D 19 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.