Metal weapons and cultural transformations
Abstract
Metal weapons have a very specific place in the material culture on account of several features. Most of them are made of arsenical copper or tin bronze, which means they are neither absolutely rare or luxious nor very common. Moreover, they imply a specialized craft that concerns a significant number of links in the chain of production, among which we can quote supplying systems, art of clay and stone (for moulds), metalwork as casting and hammering, inventory control, recycling management, and others. Among all metallic productions, weapons are also those whose production , exchange and diffusion modes are the most complexes and the most varied. That's why it's very difficult to define precisely how, when and where a form or a type has appeared, et even more to understand “why”. Several studies, but not the least, have been undertaken on this subject . While giving some precise examples, I am going to try to observe continuity and the phenomena of renewal, as well as their relationship with possible technological and conceptual renewals that are connected to cultural changes. I am first going to consider the beginning of the Early Bronze Age so as to establish in what ways weapons are adopted, but, above all, I will consider what the situation is during the transition EB IV – MB I in different regions.