Crusader-era hand grenade surprises archaeologists

Fox News ^ | August 24, 2016 | James Rogers

[sparklite2]

A centuries-old hand grenade that may date back to the time of the crusaders is among a host of treasures retrieved from the sea in Israel.

The hand grenade was a common weapon in Israel during the Crusader era, which began in the 11th century and lasted until the 13th century, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Grenades were also used 12th and 13th century Ayyubid period and the Mamluk era, which ran from the 13th to the 16th century, experts say.

Haaretz reports that early grenades were often used to disperse burning flammable liquid. However, some experts believe that so-called ancient grenades were actually used to contain perfume.

[Billthedrill]

“The bones, man! Look at the booooooooones!”

[smokingfrog]

BOOM!!

Surprise!!

[Fai Mao]

“Yeah... because everyone wants a perfume bottle that will not stand up.”

Those things held “Naptha” which was basically Byzantine Napalm. Everybody loves the smell of napalm in the morning

[doorgunner69]

You just knew that was coming from the thread title..........

[ResponseAbility]

***However, some experts believe that so-called ancient grenades were actually used to contain perfume.***

Grundel: We’ve been sackin’ these muzzies for days now and they are stinkin somethin’ fierce.

Ginsberg: Is the end result of days of sackin’ a stinkin’ pile of mess? Try our new Dead-muzz-be-gone! Field Approved odor abators guarunteed to make any battlefield smell spring fresh like a mountain meadow.

[TexasRepublic]

“It’s only a model”.

[BwanaNdege]

I have one of these made from porcelain sitting on the bookshelf at home

"The Japanese type 4 'last ditch' grenade was introduced in late 1944 / early 1945 in response to the lack of raw materials necessary to produce hand grenades in enough quantities to defend the homeland. They were of a simple ceramic or porcelain construction, produced in a variety of non standard designs from Japanese Kilns. They were a crude but effective fragmentation grenade and were used during the Battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa."

[Ancesthntr]

YES!!!!! The Holy Hand Grenade!!!

To think, people actually thought that Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail was fictional, or even comedy! It is simply history, like when one peasant asked another, “Ow do you know ee’s the King?” - and the obviously wiser compatriot replied, “Because ee’s the only who hasn’t got $hit on im.” See, THAT is history...ever see a King with $hit on him?

[gop4lyf]

I’m going to get so flamed for this. I have, what I believe, an excellent sense of humor. High brow. Low brow. Dry. Any kind of humor is funny to me. What ISN’T funny is Monty Python. I don’t get it. I’ve seen them, and even watched them with people that that Monty Python was hilarious. I guess it just seems too forced to me. The only Monty Python skit that I ever thought was funny was the knight that only got flesh wounds. It was ok. Just, ok. I’m truly sorry. :(

[Popman]

What ISN’T funny is Monty Python. I don’t get it.

Are you a women?

Almost every women I know hates Monty Python with a passion...along with the three stooges...

[mountainlion]

Imagine that, a perfume hand grenade to make the barbarian hordes smell good.

[Reily]

My daughter loves Monty Python & the Three Stooges!
My wife just shakes her head and blames me!

[gop4lyf]

Not sure. I’ll ask my wife.

[wrench]

Not even the parrot scene?

Please get help......

[BeauBo]

"everyone wants a perfume bottle that will not stand up."

That was the style. The bottom was made to slide into a rack easily, or hang in a loop of cord or rope.

[Charles Martel]

Almost every women I know hates Monty Python with a passion...along with the three stooges...

My sister-in-law and her husband once went to a costume party as King Arthur and Patsy - coconut and all. And it was *her* idea. Unlike her sister, my wife has never cared much for Monty Python - but for the past few years has been watching more and more British television. I guess she's become more attuned to their humor, because recently the "Dennis the Peasant" scene made her bust out laughing (she was web-surfing, pretending that she wasn't watching). So there is some hope for her.

As far as the Stooges go, I agree - it's a rare woman who appreciates them.

[Pollster1]

It’s a shame SunkenCiv seems to be away from FR - for six weeks so far. A Crusader-era grenade worthy of Monty Python would add sparkle to his Gods-Graves-Glyphs ping list.

The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch [see Armaments, chapter two, verses nine to twenty-one] certainly has a God connection.

[oldasrocks]

It held perfume to throw on the enemy. That way if they didn’t kill the bad guy he would return home and his wife would beat him to death for smelling like he had been with another woman.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

The Ancient Greeks had hand grenades. I came across a couple for sale from an antiquities dealer. I’ll see if I can find the reference, and if I do, I’ll post it here. I would imagine the Crusaders’ version would be very similar to the Greek.

[Sicon]

"One, two, five!"

"Three, sir!"

"Three!"