Три непубликувани железни меча с езичеста дръжка от Северна България

Abstract

The article discusses three unpublished iron grip-tongue swords found in North Bulgaria. Two of the artifacts have been recently obtained as stray finds, probably coming from disturbed graves in the area of Palamartsa Village, Popovo Region, in Northeast Bulgaria (Обр. 1.1 and 2.1; Карта 1.1). The third blade is kept at the National Museum of History in Sofia and allegedly originates from the region of Montana, Northwest Bulgaria (Обр. 2.10; Карта 1.2). Together with another twenty-five known items these weapons form the group of the earliest iron swords in ancient Thrace (Обр. 1 and 2; Карта 1). They are dated to the first phase of the Early Iron Age (1000–750 BC) and in tandem with the spears appeared to be the principal weapon, at least according to the grave goods (cf. Карта 3). The cut-and-thrust swords have clear prototypes in the local bronze tradition (Naue II type; cf. Карта 2) and they are one of the indicators of the early adoption of iron metallurgy in Thrace south of Lower Danube. The article systematizes the available information about the swords in terms of their origin, typology and chronology. On that basis the text attempts to reveal possible aspects of the fighting skills and warfare of the local ethne.