{"product_id":"ancient-bronze-arrowhead-display-with-broadhead-and-swallow-wing-forms","title":"Ancient Bronze Arrowhead Display with Broadhead and Swallow-Wing Forms | Circa Circa 1400 – 1000 BCE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Western Asia, likely Iranian Plateau\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast bronze \/ copper alloy\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age, circa 14th–10th Century BCE\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThis mounted collection comprises three ancient Western Asiatic bronze projectile points dating broadly from the Late Bronze Age through the Early Iron Age. The group includes one elongated barbed point, one broad triangular point with pronounced shoulders and a central rib, and one smaller compact barbed arrowhead. Each retains a surviving tang and has been mounted individually on a modern black wooden display base.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe largest example is formed with an elongated leaf-shaped blade terminating in a rounded point. Two long, sharply recessed barbs extend downward on either side of the central tang, giving the point a distinctive harpoon-like profile. Its broad blade and projecting barbs would have created a substantial wound and made the projectile difficult to remove after impact. The long surviving tang was originally inserted into a wooden shaft and secured using binding, natural adhesive, or pressure fitting.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe central example displays a broad triangular blade with pronounced lateral shoulders and a clearly visible raised central rib. This rib strengthened the blade while reducing unnecessary weight and helped maintain rigidity during impact. The lower portion narrows into a rectangular stem and attachment tang. Its substantial proportions suggest that it may have functioned as a heavy arrowhead, light javelin point, or compact spearhead.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe smallest example is a compact triangular arrowhead with deeply recessed shoulders forming two sharply projecting barbs. A raised central ridge extends along the blade and continues into the lower stem, strengthening the point while preserving a relatively light profile. Its small size and aerodynamic form are consistent with an arrowhead intended for hunting or warfare.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThese points belong to a distinctive family of ancient Western Asiatic projectile weapons with pronounced winged or barbed shoulders. Their silhouettes have often been compared to stylized birds in flight, particularly swallows with outstretched wings. Comparable forms are associated with the Iranian Plateau and surrounding regions and are discussed within the Khorasani classification of ancient Iranian arms.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Cast from bronze or copper alloy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Includes elongated, broad triangular, and compact barbed forms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Largest example with long downward-projecting barbs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Central example with broad shoulders and pronounced strengthening rib\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Smallest example with sharply recessed swallow-wing profile\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Surviving tangs originally intended for insertion into wooden shafts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Associated with ancient hunting, warfare, and personal defence\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Green, blue-green, brown, and pale mineral patination throughout\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Mounted together on a modern black wooden display base\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nBronze arrowheads and related projectile points were essential components of warfare and hunting throughout ancient Western Asia. Their varied shapes reflect specialized approaches to penetration, cutting ability, flight stability, and resistance to removal after impact.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nBarbed arrowheads were particularly effective because the projecting wings could lodge within the target, making extraction difficult and increasing the severity of the wound. Broad triangular forms offered a substantial cutting surface, while raised central ribs strengthened the blade and helped prevent bending during use.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe distinctive bird-like profile of many Western Asiatic arrowheads is one of the defining features of ancient Iranian projectile technology. These winged points are often associated with the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age cultures of the Iranian Plateau, where metalworkers produced an extensive range of weapons using established casting and finishing traditions.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nBronze continued to be used for military equipment even as iron became increasingly common. The material was well suited to casting complex barbed forms and allowed ancient craftsmen to produce repeatable designs with strong edges, ribs, and attachment tangs.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe three projectile points remain in good archaeological condition and display extensive age-related surface alteration. Each exhibits mineral encrustation, pitting, surface deposits, edge wear, casting irregularities, discoloration, and localized losses consistent with ancient burial and long-term preservation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe largest example retains its elongated blade and pronounced barbs but displays surface erosion, edge irregularity, mineral buildup, and minor losses. The central point remains substantially complete, with visible wear and localized losses around the shoulders, edges, and lower stem. Its raised central rib remains clearly defined.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe smallest arrowhead retains its compact barbed profile but exhibits oxidation, pitting, chipping, and minor irregularities to the projecting wings. Green and blue-green patination appears throughout the group, with areas of pale earthen deposits and exposed reddish-brown metal.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe objects have been permanently secured to a modern black wooden display base with visible mounting material. The base displays minor scratches, handling wear, and surface irregularities.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nOverall Display Height: 5 in\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n3,025–3,425 years old\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nFormerly part of a private London, United Kingdom collection assembled during the 1990s.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eView a related ancient bronze arrowhead in the collection of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/327446\" title=\"Ancient Bronze Arrowhead – The Metropolitan Museum of Art\"\u003eThe Metropolitan Museum of Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our curated \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/arms-armor-historical-weaponry\" title=\"Arms, Armour and Historical Weaponry – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Arms, Armour \u0026amp; Historical Weaponry\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54977540686146,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient-Bronze-Arrowhead-Display-with-Broadhe-2002.png?v=1785114155","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/ancient-bronze-arrowhead-display-with-broadhead-and-swallow-wing-forms","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}