https://phys.org/news/2022-04-bronze-age-daggers.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology * * share this! * 1.5K * 51 * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Other Sciences 3. Archaeology * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- April 29, 2022 Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for by Newcastle University Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for (A) Site location (the map was generated by I.C. through QGIS v.3.16, https://qgis.org); (B) Aerial view of the site highlighting excavation areas A, B and C (source: Google Earth); (C) Copper-alloy daggers analyzed as part of the research. Specimen (1) no 1617; (2) no 2037; (3) no 175; (4) no 1707; (5) no 2041; (6) no 1798; (7) no 2035; (8) no 1683; (9) no 1321; (10) no 264. Credit: Newcastle University Analysis of Bronze Age daggers has shown that they were used for processing animal carcasses and not as non-functional symbols of identity and status, as previously thought. First appearing in the early 4^th millennium BCE, copper-alloy daggers were widespread in Bronze Age Europe including Britain and Ireland. Yet archaeologists have long debated what these objects were used for. As daggers are often found in weapon-rich male burials, or "warrior graves," many researchers speculated that they were primarily ceremonial objects used in prehistoric funerals to mark out the identity and status of the deceased. Others suggested that they may have been used as weapons or tools for crafts. However, the lack of a targeted method of analysis for copper-alloy metals, like those available for ceramic, stone, and shell artifacts, left this problem unresolved. A revolutionary new method, pioneered by an international research team led by Newcastle University, UK, has enabled the world's first extraction of organic residues from ten copper-alloy daggers excavated in 2017 from Pragatto, a Bronze Age settlement site in Italy. The new method reveals, for the first time, how these objects were used, for what tasks, and on what materials. The project team, led by Dr. Andrea Dolfini and Isabella Caricola, developed a technique that used Picro-Sirius Red (PSR) solution to stain organic residues on the daggers. The residues were then observed under several types of optical, digital, and scanning electron microscopes. This allowed the team to identify micro-residues of collagen and associated bone, muscle, and bundle tendon fibers, suggesting that the daggers had come into contact with multiple animal tissues and were used to process various types of animal carcasses. Uses seem to have included the slaughtering of livestock, butchering carcasses, and carving the meat from the bone. The project team then carried out wide-ranging experiments with replicas of the daggers that had been created by an expert bronzesmith. This showed that this type of dagger was well suited to processing animal carcasses. The residues extracted from the experimental daggers were also analyzed as part of the research and matched those observed on the archaeological daggers. Professor Andrea Dolfini, Chair of Archaeology, Newcastle University, says that "the research has revealed that it is possible to extract and characterize organic residues from ancient metals, extending the range of materials that can be analyzed in this way. This is a significant breakthrough as the new method enables the analysis of a wide variety of copper-alloy tools and weapons from anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless, and so are the answers that the new method can and will provide in the future." The research was published in Scientific Reports. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further In New Guinea, human thigh bone daggers were hot property: study --------------------------------------------------------------------- More information: Isabella Caricola et al, Organic residue analysis reveals the function of bronze age metal daggers, Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09983-3 Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Newcastle University Citation: Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for (2022, April 29) retrieved 6 May 2022 from https://phys.org/news/ 2022-04-bronze-age-daggers.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 1601 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Malaysia's 'mystery monkey' appears to be a hybrid between a proboscis monkey and a silvery langur 8 hours ago 0 Counting bug splats on vehicle license plates shows numbers of flying insects has dropped significantly 9 hours ago 0 DNA analysis of remains found in Norman Neolithic monumental cemetery suggest a patrilineal community May 05, 2022 0 Bolivian river dolphins observed playing with an anaconda May 05, 2022 0 A thermal superconducting quantum interference proximity transistor May 05, 2022 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Emissions tied to the international trade of agricultural goods are rising 1 hour ago [gif] Remote work doesn't negatively affect productivity, study suggests 3 hours ago [gif] World's ocean is losing its memory under global warming 3 hours ago [gif] Does presenting credibility labels of journalistic sources affect news consumption? New study finds limited effects 5 hours ago [gif] Despite ideals, people don't really like reducing inequality, study finds 5 hours ago [gif] It takes three to tangle: Long-range quantum entanglement needs three-way interaction 5 hours ago [gif] Historic graffiti made by soldiers sheds light on Africa maritime heritage, study shows 5 hours ago --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts An interesting question from Veritasium on YouTube 2 hours ago Magnetic sublevels of a random atom 2 hours ago How many tosses to flip a coin HHTH? 3 hours ago Every integer greater than 5 is the sum of three primes? 3 hours ago Total intensity of 3 slits 3 hours ago I have a question about learning Computer Science if someone could help (OSSU) 3 hours ago More from Physics Forums | Science Articles, Homework Help, Discussion --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Related Stories [gif] In New Guinea, human thigh bone daggers were hot property: study Apr 25, 2018 [gif] Late Neolithic Italy was home to complex networks of metal exchange Jan 22, 2020 Bronze swords, other items found in plundered Greek cemetery Oct 04, 2018 [gif] Maintaining the structure of gold and silver in alloys Apr 08, 2022 [gif] Bronze Age swords bear the marks of skilled fighters Apr 27, 2020 [gif] Stonehenge may have been built using lard Jul 15, 2019 * Recommended for you [gif] Historic graffiti made by soldiers sheds light on Africa maritime heritage, study shows 5 hours ago [gif] DNA analysis of remains found in Norman Neolithic monumental cemetery suggest a patrilineal community May 05, 2022 [gif] 3D photogrammetry reveals ancient Native American artwork in Alabama cave May 04, 2022 [gif] Skeletal remains in Bronze Age Orkney cemetery suggest large influx of women from continental Europe May 03, 2022 [gif] Study of ancient predators sheds light on how humans did--or didn't--find food May 02, 2022 [gif] Revolutionary find: 19 cannons in river likely sunk in 1779 Apr 29, 2022 Load comments (0) Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Sponsored Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2022 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use Your Privacy This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Ok Cookie options E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast