Posted on 05/02/2022 1:02:24 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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...
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 artefacts, 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 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 fibres , 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...
So funny!
Stabbity stuff?
It’s too early for Bangity or tankity stuff.
Archaeologists serve as non-functional symbols of identity and status...
To slice brie, Wagyu beef and fava beans...served with a nice Chianti.
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...
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Finally, science has caught up with the rest of us ...
Even in very warrior tribes, a lot more animals will be processed than Humans killed in battle.
Unrusted tools have been found in the low stone walls that New England farmers made in the 1500s and have been in the weather since then.
I found a Model-T engine block that had been siting in the woods on a piece of property I bought with exposed valves that were only 1/2 rusted.
All of this things come from high nickle iron mines - apparently there used to be a lot of it, but it all got melted down during WWII to make Liberty ships and the like.
:^)
Wouldn’t flint be better?
“Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for”
Et tu, Brute?
Oh for crying out loud! Did anyone actually think those daggers were always ceremonial? I’m really worried about humanity in this day and time.
I carry a Swiss Army knife with me all of the time. I use it numerous times each and every day. Anyone who does not carry a pocket knife is uncivilized.
And this is a surprise? People, using knives, to cut meat? You don’t say.
If flint’s available, and bronze isn’t, or a multipurpose implement is desired that isn’t length-limited.
So, ancient folks used knives to process meat. Whooda thunk it.
Thank you SunkenCiv!
Reminds me of “Forged in Fire” (History Channel) where they make knives and swords in competition.
“It will cut” “It will kill” judging the weapons they just made.
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