[ΚΕΝΟ]



Bronze sword

Χ5958
Metal (Bronze)
Intact, mended at the height of the hilt.
Length: 55 cm.
Kastrokephala
Late Bronze Age. Postpalatial period, Late Minoan IIIC period.:
1200 - 1070 BC:
Gallery:
XI
Case:
113
Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Postpalatial period (1300-1100 BC). Settlements. Sanctuaries. Tombs
Postpalatial settlements
Description
Well-preserved sword of Naue II type. Swords of this type first appeared in the wider area of the Eastern Alps in the 13th century BC and gradually spread across the continent from Great Britain to the coasts of the East Mediterranean. These swords are often considered to be material remains left behind by the movements of groups of warriors heading from the north and west to the south and east, from the mid-13th century BC to the end of the Bronze Age. In Greece and Crete they accompany the so-called “warrior graves” and are used alongside Aegean-type swords. The Kastrokephala sword is an extremely rare find of such an object in a settlement, as it was discovered in one of the rooms of the fortified acropolis of the early 12th century BC. The sword, an Italian-type razor and pottery also associated with Italy are thought to indicate the origins of some of the inhabitants of the acropolis.
Bibliography:
Alexiou, S. "Αρχαιότητες και Μνημεία Κεντρικής και Ανατολικής Κρήτης." Αρχαιολογικόν Δελτίον 29, Χρονικά Β'3 (1973-1974): 898-902. Kanta, Α. "Η Ακρόπολη της Καστροκεφάλας Αλμυρού Ηρακλείου." Κρητικά Χρονικά ΛΔ' (2014): 183-190, fig. 6. Kilian-Dirlmeier, I. Die Schwerter in Griechenland (Ausserhalb der Peloponnes), Bulgarien und Albanien. Pr?historische Bronzefunden IV.12. Stuttgart, 1993.
Author:
E. S.


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