Abstract
In this article we present a sword crossguard found casually in the archaeological settlement of Los Algarbes (Ecija, Sevilla), which is part of the funds of the Historical Museum “Juan Bernier” in La Carlota (Cordoba). The crossguard is made of bronze and has a simple decoration, in relief, with a central figurative element (one head with anthropomorphic features, which we identify as belonging to a ŷinn or a genie of magical Islamic mythology) from which two palm-shaped motives are emerging on each side. This crossguard has curved arms towards the blade in a clear Byzantine style, although it must be considered as manufactured in Cordoba during the Omeya period, probably in the Caliphate time. The shortage of materials associated with swords of this period, turn the crossguard of Los Algarves into an essential reference to comprehend the Andalusi military weapons of the early Middle Age.
Highlights
In this article we present a sword crossguard found casually in the archaeological settlement of Los Algarbes (Ecija, Sevilla), which is part of the funds of the Historical Museum “Juan Bernier” in La Carlota (Córdoba)
Los datos expuestos en este artículo nos permiten interpretar el yacimiento arqueológico de Los Algarbes como un asentamiento rural andalusí de entidad, que tendríamos que identificar como una alquería o una almunia que, probablemente, nace y se desarrolla en época omeya, bajo la influencia de la proximidad del camino mencionado que unía Córdoba con Écija
Se ha propuesto su data en el siglo X-XI, como posible importación franca, en concordancia con los datos que aportan las fuentes históricas contemporáneas que confirman la existencia de “espadas francas” como uno de los tipos presentes en Al-Andalus en el siglo X, aunque sin descartar que se trate de una imitación andalusí de los modelos referidos, ya que sabemos de la imitación por parte del islam peninsular del armamento cristiano, aspecto éste que afectaba a la tipología y no al registro decorativo (NICOLLE y McBRIDE, 2001: 10-11; SOLER, 2001; SOLER, 1999: 107)
Summary
Damos a conocer en este artículo un arriaz de espada hallado, de modo casual, en el yacimiento arqueológico de Los Algarbes (Écija, Sevilla) y que forma parte de los fondos del Museo Histórico "Juan Bernier" de La Carlota (Córdoba). The crossguard is made of bronze and has a simple decoration, in relief, with a central figurative element (one head with anthropomorphic features, which we identify as belonging to ayinn or a genie of magical islamic mythology) from which two palm-shaped motives are emerging on each side. This crossguard has curved arms towards the blade in a clear Byzantine style, it must be considered as manufactured in Córdoba during the Omeya period, probably in the Caliphate time. “Cuando Muhammad se convenció de que estaba cercado, se apoyó en su espada y se dio muerte...”
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