Weaponry of the Przeworsk Culture in the light of metallographic examinations. The case of the cemetery in Raczkowice

This paper discusses seven finds of weaponry (one sword and six spearheads) from the Roman Period Przeworsk Culture cremation cemetery in Raczkowice, Częstochowa Distr., PL. This assemblage can generally be dated to Phases B2–C1. All the discussed artefacts went through the funeral pyre and two underwent additional treatment as part of funeral rites: the sword and one of the spearheads were bent. Metallographic examinations demonstrated that all these weapons were forged from single pieces of ferrous metal. However, in some of these the carbon content was high enough to allow for heat-treatment, thus making these artefacts potentially high-quality weapons. Regrettably, the cremation ceremony removed all possible traces of heat-treatment and it may have also caused partial decarburising of metal. On the basis of typological and technological traits it can be supposed that all the discussed weapons were of local Przeworsk Culture provenance

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Assemblage (archaeology · Bronze · Ceremony · SWORD · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Engineering · Historical and Archaeological Studies · History · Mechanical Engineering · Metallurgy and Cultural Artifacts