A halberd, a halberd blade

This magnificent dagger sceptre blade was cast in bronze. It has a triangular, strongly elongated shape and a sizeable central rib. Its base is crowned with three rivet holes used for attaching the metal handle. Slightly below, it has a delicate but imposing decoration with a zigzag motif. A sceptre differs from a dagger in that the long shaft (wooden or bronze) was attached at a right angle or an open angle and made it possible to reach the enemy at a greater distance. Sceptres were used as weapons, but they also had a special meaning as they symbolised power and prestige. The production of such specimens required an excellent mastery of craftsmanship, especially in casting the very ornate, 70 cm long handles hollow in the centre. It is believed that it was not possible in local workshops due to the lack of access to sources of raw material and metallurgists experienced in advanced technology of casting and plastic processing of bronze. The presented find dated to the beginning of the 2nd Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1500 BC) was discovered in a marsh under unknown circumstances. It came into the collection of the former Society of History and Antiquities of Pomerania (Towarzystwo Historii i Starożytności Pomorza) in Szczecin at the end of the 19th century. It is the only such example of a bronze dagger sceptre held in the collection of the National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe) in Szczecin.

Dorota Kozłowska