8 - The Battle for Glory: Form and Function of Early Nordic Bronze Age Swords

Summary

IT IS LIKELY THAT in the Early Bronze Age societies of southern Scandinavia and northern Germany (c.1500–1100 B.C.) the sword was both the most important weapon and symbol in existence. Some of the various sword types were imports from elsewhere in Europe, while others were developed within this area, albeit influenced by other regions. Find contexts, production techniques, and use-wear indicate that these swords were elaborate products of metalcraft, used both as weapons against other humans, and as symbols of status or martial values in a decentralised, complex society. It is likely that the sword-bearers of northern Europe were mainly free farmers of unequal wealth and representatives of small and competing communities who engaged in frequent (violent) conflicts.

“The history of the sword is the history of humanity”. Although this quote by Richard Francis Burton in his Book of the Sword does not tell the whole truth, in some societies the sword was supposedly so important that we have to study all of its facets – production, functions and its bearer/user – in order to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning. Since the early years of Bronze Age research in southern Scandinavia it has been clear that swords were prominent as weapons and symbols during the Early Nordic Bronze Age, leading to many researchers studying these various swords, albeit mainly from a typological perspective. Since the 1950s, however, there is also an increasing number of studies on the swords’ technical and functional aspects.

The Early Nordic Bronze Age dates to c.1500–1100 B.C., which is Period II–III according to Montelius. It is characterised by elaborate, sometimes excellent metal work, which often features distinctive forms and ornaments. These societies, however, were prehistoric, which means we do not have any written evidence and are totally dependent on archaeological sources for any research. According to these, people mainly lived in unfortified single farmsteads or small groups of neighbouring farmsteads. The populated landscape consisted of relatively open dry lands, between alternating wetlands and bogs, while other areas, like some parts of eastern Jutland and the interior of the larger Danish Isles, were apparently mostly unsettled forest. On average, unsettled areas included, the population density was between two and at most (although this is unlikely) five people per square kilometre. The farmsteads consisted of three-aisled longhouses of 10–60 metres, often with barns and byres inside, and in some cases adjacent buildings.