Go on , say it with us : “ It belongs in a museum ! ” That ’s exactly what a farmer realized 12 years after he discovered a strange aim in one of his field . Turns out the hunk of bent bronze he ’d been using as a doorstopper was in reality … an extremely significant 3,500 year old artifact .
TheSmithsonianpicked up on this History Blogreporton the sales event of the ceremonial dirk ( for $ 64,272 ) to theNorwich Castle Museumlate last twelvemonth .
[ The East Rudham , Norfolk farmer ] was considering throwing out [ the objective ] when a Quaker suggest he have it check out by an archaeologist first . In 2013 , Andrew Rogerson , Senior Historic Environment Officer of Norfolk ’s Identification and Recording Service , identify it as an exceedingly rare and significant ceremonial dirk from the Middle Bronze Age , around 1,500 B.C.
Its large size of it , deliberately blunt edges and the deficiency of rivet holes where a handle would be attach are what check it as have no practical use . Dirks intend for actual stabbing are crisp , pointed and can be wielded easy with one hand . This piece was design for a ritual purpose , which is why it was found folded . Bending a alloy aim as a symbolical act of devastation before burying was a uncouth recitation in the Bronze Age and later .
The ceremonial dirk were prestigiousness pieces , the work of the estimable journeyman money could grease one’s palms . Owning such a heavy , big metallic element object intended for no practical use was a symbolization of power both temporal and , give their ritual role , spiritual .
The History Blog notes that five other similar ceremonial dirk are known to exist , three of which are on presentation at the British Museum , and that “ their dimensions and details are so similar that all dirk likely get from the same shop , perhaps even the same hand . If one shop is creditworthy for all of them , it had an impressive compass through ancient trade networks . ”
Image of the Rudham Dirk courtesy of the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery viaSmithsonian.com .
ArchaeologyBronze Age
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