about swords, iron/steel and some physics

[jackmcauliffe]

The quality of the iron from Llyn Cerrig Bach is very high. the slave chains were in fact used by a tractor to tow a vehicle out of the bog. The swords were found bent almost double but did not break under the strain. I'll try to find the data - will take a bit of time - but length, weight etc is always useful to know.
Pattern-welding doesn't come into its own untill the Anglo Saxons though, so the Llyn Cerrig Bach swords were certainly very early.

Its hugely discrediting to the Roman/Celtic/Germanic smiths of mid-late antiquity to say "pattern welding" did not into its own until the Anglo Saxons. Its a fact that after the 2nd century the Romans had pattern welded blades and developed further into late and post antiquity. Previous to this time I would argue yes more existed but other disagree. The issue I see now is people debating what "pattern welded steel" is. Piling layers of deferential carbon and phosphorus steel does make a visible pattern when polished.

Bottom line: is there any visible pattern in the steel? yes, then its pattern welded! Even in really simple and not purposeful designs it does exist.

Also Dan Howard makes a great point Ive never thought of which is who knows what is ceremonial and what is not.