How Bronze Age Warriors Fought

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Lots of these were made and used at one point in our history. That time was called the Bronze Age.

Unlike other metals that we use today, bronze is known to be a soft kind of metal. In fact, it is so soft that scholars say the swords made with bronze were not really used in battle. Rather, they were used for ceremonial purposes, “such as displays of status, burial offerings, or sacrifices to the gods.”

While this may be true in some instances, researchers led by Dr. Andrea Dolfini at Newcastle University have found evidence that many of these swords were used in combat and have even begun to learn how they were used. By combining laboratory work by Leicester and Durham universities, the British Museum, and the Great North Museum: Hancock with field experiments conducted by members of the Newcastle-based Hotspur School of Defence, the Bronze Age Combat Project (BACP) learned how soft bronze weapons could be used practically.

How did the Bronze Age warriors fight? Find out over at New Atlas.

(Image Credit: Bronze Age Combat Team/Hotspur School of Defence)