{"product_id":"ancient-iranian-plateau-bronze-projectile-points","title":"Ancient Iranian Plateau | Bronze Projectile Points on Display Stand | Late Bronze–Early Iron Age | 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 group comprises three ancient Western Asiatic bronze projectile points dating broadly from the Late Bronze Age through the Early Iron Age. The collection includes a broad leaf-shaped point, a long narrow lanceolate point, and a distinctive barbed or winged arrowhead, each retaining a surviving tang and now presented together on a modern black wooden display base.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe largest example is formed with a broad, elongated leaf-shaped blade tapering toward a rounded point. Its wide cutting surface and substantial proportions suggest that it may have functioned as a heavy arrowhead, light javelin point, or compact spearhead. The lower portion narrows into a flat tang that would originally have been inserted into a wooden shaft and secured with binding or adhesive.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe central example displays a slender lanceolate blade rising above a pronounced collar and an extended rectangular tang. Its narrow profile was designed to concentrate the force of impact into a small area, making it suitable for penetration. This form could have served as an arrowhead, dart point, or light spear component depending on the size and construction of its original shaft.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe smallest example is a broad triangular arrowhead with deeply recessed shoulders creating two projecting lateral wings or barbs. Its outline resembles a stylized bird in flight, a distinctive form documented among ancient Western Asiatic bronze arrowheads and particularly associated with types found across the Iranian Plateau. The projecting shoulders would have made the head more difficult to remove after impact.\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 broad leaf-shaped, lanceolate, and barbed forms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Largest example with substantial cutting blade and flat tang\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Central example with narrow penetrating profile and pronounced collar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Smallest example with distinctive bird-like or swallow-wing shoulders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Surviving tangs originally intended for insertion into wooden shafts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Green, blue-green, brown, and pale mineral patination throughout\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Representative selection from a larger assemblage of sixteen arrowheads\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 projectile points were essential weapons throughout ancient Western Asia, serving in warfare, hunting, and personal defence. Their varied forms reflect different functional requirements, including penetration, cutting capacity, flight stability, and resistance to removal after impact.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nBroad leaf-shaped points offered a larger cutting surface and were effective against unarmoured targets or game animals. Long narrow lanceolate forms concentrated impact into a smaller area and were better suited to penetration. Barbed or winged arrowheads were designed to remain lodged within the target, increasing the severity of the wound and making removal more difficult.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe distinctive winged form represented by the smallest example is characteristic of certain ancient Iranian and Western Asiatic projectile types. Its silhouette resembles a stylized swallow or bird in flight, combining practical function with a visually distinctive form. Examples of this type are frequently associated with the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age military traditions of the Iranian Plateau.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nBronze weaponry remained important during the transition from the Bronze Age into the Iron Age. Although iron gradually became more common, bronze continued to be used for arrowheads, spear points, daggers, and other military equipment because of its casting properties, durability, and established manufacturing traditions.\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, discoloration, casting irregularities, edge wear, and localized losses consistent with ancient burial and long-term preservation.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe broad leaf-shaped example retains its overall form but displays extensive green patination, pale earthen deposits, edge irregularity, and areas of surface loss. The central lanceolate point remains substantially complete, with mineralization, oxidation, and wear visible along its blade, collar, and tang. The barbed example retains its distinctive winged profile but displays wear, localized chipping, irregularities to the projecting shoulders, and heavy patination.\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 exhibits 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: 4.5 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":54977535082818,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient-Iranian-Plateau-Bronze-Projectile-Poi-3490.png?v=1785115423","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/ancient-iranian-plateau-bronze-projectile-points","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}