 |
Why do I include Celtic Hallstatt
swords here? Quite simple: They are from around 800 BC and their microstructure
is similar to the "Leitfossilien" swords discussed here. Well, up to
a point. Considering that there are only a few microstructural investigations,
the claim that there is a relation between the iron technologies in the north
Iran regions and the Hallstatt region in Austria is - so far - quite weak.
Of course we have one more fact supporting the claim above: The similarity
between the Assyrian and the Celtic
double pyramid
bars of raw iron. If you want to learn more about this, refer to chapter 4
of Pleiner's
book; Iron in Archaeology- |
|
 |
Use the following links for learning
more about the Celts and
Hallstatt. |
|
Here we are only concerned about the
early Celtic sword, i.e. the iron Hallsatt
sword, and not about the later stuff; you find that dealt with
here.
Unfortunately, this makes the story short.. While there are plenty of 800 BC or
so "Hallstatt" swords, some of them in mint conditions, I found no
metallographic analysis besides the one
already
shown. I only found more and better pictures in
Pleiner's
book. Here is the relevant page:
 |
Metallographic data of the
"Singen" sword
Large-size picture |
| Source:
Pleiner's
book |
|
|
|
|
|
|
What does Pleiner have to say about
this sword? Not all that much. Here it is: |
|
|
 |
Pleiner's text to the Singen sword and the
pictures shown here.
|
| Source:
Pleiner's
book |
|
|
|
It is clear that the Hallstatt smith
around 900 - 800 BC knew how the forge weld, "pile" or faggot. It is
also clear that his raw material was rather bad (lots of slag and dirt
ínclusions) |
|
Taken everything together, I do
believe (but not know) that there is a
connection between the "north Iran" and the European iron technology.
Did the early "Celts" bring it along when the migrated West? I is not
clear ti the Celts had moved in from the East but this "theory" is
seriously considered in expert circles. |
|
|
Well, nothing helps but more hard
data. Some could come from detailed metallurgical investigations of all those
"OLD SWORDS"! So, following Shakespeare's advice, lets "kill all
those lawyers" (=Kulturgutschutzgesetzwächter) 1) and
start to do the work. |
| |
|
|
© H. Föll (Iron, Steel and Swords script)
With frame
Books and Other Major Sources