Study of Bronze Age copper-based Naue II swords

[Matthew Amt]

Thanks for posting that article! Finally had a chance to read it, and it certainly has some fascinating information. The range of tin content was surprising, though I guess it shouldn't have been.

One thing which WAS a surprise was the interpretation of how swords were cast. It says that examination "can assure an initial casting in two open molds and a consequent welding by hammering of the two parts together." What??? All the people who have been casting bronze swords strap the two halves of the mold together (original molds having pins or knobs that match up to holes in the other half to keep them aligned), then cast the sword in one piece. Aside from the fact that I've never heard that it was possible to forge-weld bronze at all, it would be next to impossible to cast those halves thin enough in open molds. Just thought it was weird to read that.

But thanks for this article and the others! (Haven't read them all yet, but working on it!)

Khaire,

Matthew