Central Europe (Germany, Austria), Eastern Hallstatt Culture, ca. 8th to 6th centuries BCE. An amazingly well-preserved iron artifact, from the Early Iron Age in Europe. A large axe head, thin, broadening slowly to a wide point, with twin points jutting out from the sides about a third of the way along the blade, made to wrap leather, sinews, or some other binding material around to attach the axe head to a wooden handle. The Hallstatt culture developed from the earlier Urnfield culture, and would progress into the later La Tene culture, which is often called Celtic. However, these names and classifications have been imposed upon ancient peoples by archaeologists and historians (Hallstatt, for example, takes its name from a the type site, which is located in Austria southeast of Salzburg). 2700 years ago, these people lived in small groups, probably loosely confederated for trading purposes but engaging in frequent warfare. Elites controlled powerful hillforts and revered the horse, traveling by and perhaps warring with chariots. They were buried with weaponry like this axe head (in the Eastern zone, they were buried with axes; in the West, with knives and daggers). Size: 8.8" L x 2.9" W (22.4 cm x 7.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Estate of John Piscopo. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the US with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages.

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#116744

Although there is some corrosion, rusting, and pitting to the surface, this piece is in excellent shape for its age and material, with a clear shape and small details remaining.