An experimental investigation of sharp force skeletal trauma with replica Bronze Age weapons

Downing, MacKenzie; Fibiger, Linda

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2016.12.034

Cited by 10 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Fourthly, the research has disproved suggestions that early sword fencers would intentionally bend the tips of their swords to hit their opponent's heart and contributed new knowledge about the body parts most often targeted by sword thrusts and cuts. This ties in with previous experimental research and osteological analysis (Canci et al 2005;Downing and Fibiger 2017;Mödlinger 2011a, b;Molloy 2006Molloy , 2007Molloy , 2008. Finally, it has provided a compelling narrative regarding the evolution of fighting styles in late 2nd and early 1st millennia BC Europe, which integrates, and elevates, other authors' insights (Molloy 2007(Molloy , 2017.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 71%

“…The head was also targeted by cutting and slashing strikes. This is demonstrated by several skull injuries in the osteological record and is further underscored by experimental research showing that even relatively light and short bronze swords are capable of inflicting wide incisions to synthetic analogues of human skulls (Canci et al 2005;Downing and Fibiger 2017;Mödlinger 2011b, 89-92). Overall, injury patterns and experimental evidence show that, if held by proficient fighters, prehistoric swords were extremely effective weapons for close-range combat, and could be used for thrusting as well as cutting and slashing stances (Clements 2007;Molloy 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Bronze Age Swordsmanship: New Insights from Experiments and Wear Analysis

Hermann

Dolfini

Crellin

et al. 2020

J Archaeol Method Theory

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The article presents a new picture of sword fighting in Middle and Late Bronze Age Europe developed through the Bronze Age Combat Project. The project investigated the uses of Bronze Age swords, shields, and spears by combining integrated experimental archaeology and metalwork wear analysis. The research is grounded in an explicit and replicable methodology providing a blueprint for future experimentation with, and wear analysis of, prehistoric copper-alloy weapons. We present a four-step experimental methodology including both controlled and actualistic experiments. The experimental results informed the wear analysis of 110 Middle and Late Bronze Age swords from Britain and Italy. The research has generated new understandings of prehistoric combat, including diagnostic and undiagnostic combat marks and how to interpret them; how to hold and use a Bronze Age sword; the degree of skill and training required for proficient combat; the realities of Bronze Age swordplay including the frequency of blade-on-blade contact; the body parts and areas targeted by prehistoric sword fencers; and the evolution of fighting styles in Britain and Italy from the late 2nd to the early 1st millennia BC. All primary data discussed in the article are available as supplementary material (Appendix) so as to allow scrutiny and validation of the research results.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Bronze Age Swordsmanship: New Insights from Experiments and Wear Analysis

Hermann

Dolfini

Crellin

et al. 2020

J Archaeol Method Theory

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In this context, experimental studies by Downing and Fibiger 47 might be of interest, where replicas of Bronze Age weapons were tested on bone-like polyurethane models (Synbone). As well as an axe and a sword, a dagger was also tested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The blade of the dagger was damaged during the first contact with the artificial bone model. Although Downing and Fibiger 47 expressed doubt concerning the suitability of artificial bone for reconstructing sharp force trauma, the experiments undoubtedly raised questions regarding the usability and longevity of bronze weapons in combat, particularly in terms of the hardness and durability of the blades. Of the three injuries presented here, this appears to apply most to the injury to the scapula, because this is where any damage to the blade is most likely to have occurred, either during the impact or during the extraction of the weapon.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioarchaeological investigations of the princely grave at Helmsdorf attesting to the violent death of an Early Bronze Age leader

Nicklisch

Ramsthaler

Bunnefeld

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Helmsdorf “princely” tomb, excavated at the beginning of the twentieth century, is one of the most important archaeological discoveries dating from the Early Bronze Age in central Germany. In addition to the burial inventory, which points to an elevated social position of the deceased, a number of highly fragmented skeletal remains were preserved. Forensic anthropological investigation identified three distinctive bone defects, the surfaces of which were macromorphologically and microscopically examined in greater detail. Micro-CT analyses were also carried out. The results of all examinations suggested that the defects represented three perimortem injuries. The wound morphology was indicative of the use of a bladed weapon. The combination of injuries and their locations supported the assumption of a targeted use of force to kill. A comparison of Early Bronze Age weapons and tools with the bone lesions led to the identification of a type of weapon possibly used in the attack.

show abstract

“…Skeletal trauma analysis provides an essential source of evidence in clarifying our understanding of human behaviour, socio-cultural practices and violence dynamics in past societies (Downing & Fibiger, 2017;Šlaus & Novak, 2006). A comprehensive trauma investigation yields information on injury frequencies within a population, their pattern and distribution, and it can give insights into the circumstances of death (Alfsdotter & Kjellström, 2019;Boucherie et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%