Publication details
Význam zbraní v pohřebním ritu střední doby bronzové
| Title in English | The importance of weapons in the burial rite of the Middle Bronze Age |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Archeologie ve středních Čechách |
| Citation | |
| Keywords | weapons; Middle Bronze Age; burial rite |
| Attached files | |
| Description | In the paper, there is examined a model which presents warfare as an organized ritual and specialized activity associated with men. The issue is approached on the basis of a set of Middle Bronze Age burials from west, south and central Bohemia. Structures in grave goods deposited in burials with weapons are identified with the help of analysis of the main components. Analysis of grave goods shows that there was inner hierarchization of the warrior class in Bohemia during the Middle Bronze Age. On the basis of burial contexts, at least three groups of warriors can be classified. Richly furnished warrior graves with a broad spectrum of weapons are rare and indicative of individuals who not only had an extraordinary social status within the organization of combat activities but were probably also placed at the head of the community. The sword was an exceptional (prestigious) artefact in the Middle Bronze Age. Along with it, axes also frequently occur in graves. This could mean that an axe in a grave should not only be considered as a tool but as an artefact symbolizing high ranking men. The separation of archery gear, spears, daggers and battle-axes may mean that there were specialized warriors in the Bronze Age. Such a specialization would probably also project into the social structure of society. |