The Bronze Age has been a part of our prehistory for thousands of years. However, making bronze objects is still practised including bronze swords. This is made possible by many devoted bronze casters that still practice the craft to reproduce the enigmatic blades that once adorned Bronze Age warriors. The replica’s also form a strong contrast with the often corroded blades from archaeological context, as such the bronze blades must have been striking appearances in early metal using societies some 3600 years ago.
One such enthusiast is Ørjan Engedal, a Norwegian archaeologist and artisan, who allowed us to use images of his work. This includes examples of Apa-Hajdúsámson type blades which may have acted as precursors to the Sögel type blades. We are very grateful to Ørjan Engedal for his permission to show his work, which can also be seen on his website http://www.warriorbronze.com/ .
The replica’s enable us to demonstrate what the bronze blades may have looked like and indicate how these blades may have been connected due to similarities in their appearance.
Replicas of Apa-Hajdúsámson type blades, copyright by Ørjan Engedal ©
Replica of a Sögel blade from Echten (NL), copyright by Ørjan Engedal ©