short sword; dagger

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Object Type: short sword; dagger
Museum number: 1851,0813.42
Description: Short sword or dagger with an iron blade and a crescent-shaped bronze handle with a ram's head either side. Possibly a clunaclus, or ritual dagger/knife.
Cultures/periods: Roman Republican (possibly); Roman Imperial (Deposition date)
Production date: 100 BC - 200
Production place: Made in: Italy (?)
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot: Carpentras
Materials: bronze; iron
Dimensions: Length: 34.90 centimetres
Curator's comments: Found alongside early Imperial blown glass unguentaria that date from the mid or late 1st century AD to the 2nd, or possibly 3rd century AD. The blade resembles teh Roman Republucan ritual blade the clunaclus, which is itself based on earlier Greek slashing swords such as the kopis and knife types.
Bibliographic references
Location: Not on display
Subjects
Acquisition name
Acquisition date: 1851
Department: Greek and Roman
Registration number: 1851,0813.42

Free entry