Bronze Age

Ancient Warfare
Topic 1: Bronze Age

Ancient warfare covers a period from the earliest times through to the end of the Anglo-Saxon period.

Little is known about conflict in the earliest periods from the Palaeolithic to the late Neolithic. This is mainly because there is little difference between weapons used for hunting and those used for conflict.

At the beginning of the Bronze Age, the first distinct pieces of military paraphernalia appear in the form of daggers and battle axes.

Replica of a bronze dagger of the type found in Lincolnshire. (Photo:Bronze Age Crafts)

Stone battle axe found in Scotter. (Photo: Portable Antiquities Scheme)

Later Bronze Age sword from Bardney. (Photo:The Collection Lincoln)

Replica of a Bronze Age shield of the type found at Burringham. (Photo: TTS Resources)