Type, Shape and Composition: The Middle Bronze Age II Daggers in Rishon le-Zion, Israel

Abstract

A rich assemblage of Middle Bronze Age II daggers from the Rishon le-Zion excavations in Israel was studied. These daggers were found to be made of tin-bronze, arsenical copper or copper with tin and arsenic. Relations between type, shape and composition are established, showing that greater control of composition and shape are directly related to the production of more stylish decorated objects.