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Weapons

The hoard of ancient weapons found near Hrubieszów, Poland. Source: B. Bartecki /©Lublin Provincial Conservator of Monuments

Weapons of Germanic Tribes from Roman Era Discovered in Poland

In the now serene landscapes of Hrubieszów, on the eastern border of Poland, a remarkable discovery has recently emerged, casting new light on the region's ancient history. The find of likely...
Close up of the 4,000-year-old copper dagger found in Jarosław, Poland.	Source: Łukasz Śliwiński/PAP

4,000-year-old Copper Dagger Found in Polish Forest

By Science in Poland A copper dagger from over 4,000 years ago was found in near perfect condition in the forests of Jarosław, Poland. It is the oldest dagger made of metal ever to be discovered in...
AI illustration of prehistoric tribe using their spears. Source: de Art/ Adobe Stock

Weapons of the Stone Age - How Throwing Evolved in Ancient Man (Video)

Ancient humans , in their quest for survival, honed their skills in weaponry, evolving from rudimentary tools to sophisticated arms. One pivotal development was the utilization of throwing rocks, or...
Landscape of Rancho Quemado, where the Treasure Cave is located with, inset, the atlatl and two wooden darts, found in Treasure Cave, Querétaro, Mexico        Source: Jesús E. Medina V./ INAH

Hunting Instruments Dating Back 1,900 Years Discovered in Mexican Cave

In a small gallery of the Cueva del Tesoro, in Cadereyta de Montes, Querétaro, authorities have recovered one of the few sets of hunting tools from pre-Hispanic times discovered so far in Mexico. It...
A close up of the woman buried with neck rings at the 1000-year-old burial site found near Kyiv, Ukraine.	Source: Courtesy of Vyacheslav Baranov/National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Bizarrely Adorned Ancient Burials Found In Ukraine

A recently unearthed cemetery in Ukraine, dating back 1,000 years, has yielded an array of fascinating finds, including weapons, jewelry, and, unusually, buckets positioned around the feet of some of...
The medieval sword after it was dredged out of the Vistula River at Włocławekport, Poland.	Source: Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments In Torun

1,000-Year-Old Sword with Potential Viking Link Recovered From Polish River

A highly contested find has been recovered from the bottom of a river in Poland. The sword is believed to be around 1,000 years in age, with some touting a potential connection to the Vikings that...
State archaeologist Dr. Detlef Jantzen holds examines a Bronze Age sword at the presentation of the find.Source: Mecklenburg Ministry of Culture

Fearsome Swords and Fascinating Hoards Unearthed in Pomerania, Germany

In an extraordinary display of historical significance, volunteer archaeologists in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have uncovered three remarkable finds from the past, as announced by the State Office...
Prehistoric slingstones used for warfare 7200 years ago in Israel. Source: Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority

Evidence of Earliest Warfare and Organized Arming Uncovered in Modern Israel

Researchers have unearthed the earliest evidence of warfare and organized arming in the Southern Levant, dating back approximately 7,200 years. This finding, centered in what is now modern Israel,...
Ancient Greek archer. Source: Stanislav / Adobe Stock.

Could an Ancient Greek Bow Outperform a Modern One? (Video)

In a recent experiment two historians, Theodore, and Christos, decided to find out which is better an ancient Greek bow or its modern equivalent. Theodore wielded a replica of the legendary bow of...
Ancient ballista weapon. Source: Viacheslav / Adobe Stock.

This Roman Weapon of Mass Destruction is 2000 Years Old (Video)

In the heart of northern Britain, a monumental structure once divided the land into two distinct territories. Emperor Hadrian commissioned its construction in 122 AD, and in just six years, Hadrian's...
Roman manubalista. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Smithsonian Channel.

The Manubalista Was Rome’s Secret Weapon in Ancient Britain (Video)

The Manubalista , a formidable weapon from ancient Rome, played a crucial role in the Roman conquest of Britain . In the skilled hands of Roman soldiers, this weapon proved to be a deadly asset. It...
Representational image of Kendo training in Japan. Source: jtanki / Adobe Stock

The Ancient Origins of Kendo: From Samurai to Sportsmanship

Kendo, the practice of Japanese swordsmanship, is one of the most popular martial arts today. Yet few people fully appreciate this sport’s fascinating origins and what its evolution can tell us about...
Victim of the Battle of Visby in 1361. Source: Gotland Excursion

The Harrowing Remains of the Battle of Visby's Medieval Massacre

The Battle of Visby was a violent medieval battle near the town of Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland, fought between the inhabitants of Gotland and the Danes, with the latter emerging victorious...
Experimental models of Aztec death whistles

Scientists Recreate Aztec Death Whistle’s Deathly Noise

Experts have recreated the terrifying sound of the Aztec Death Whistle - using a 3D printer. The whistle's design is based on the skull-shaped originals found in Mexico in the 1990s. Historically,...
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cotswold District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Health and Emma Stuart, Corinium Museum Director. Proudly exhibiting the Roman swords recently found during a detectorist rally. Source: Cotswold district Council

Two Out of Place Roman Swords Dug Up By Cotswolds Detectorist

A treasure hunter participating in a metal detectorist rally in England’s Cotswolds District unearthed not one, but two ancient Roman swords. These two weapons are unlike most Roman swords discovered...
Spiked versions of long-handled peasant flails. From Paulus Hector Mair's combat manual ‘Arte De Athletica’. Public Domain

Deadly Medieval Weapons: The Spiked Flail (Video)

The spiked flail, one of the more unconventional medieval weapons , boasts a unique design with a swinging head attached to a handle. Historical accounts place its use primarily between the 14th and...
Medieval Archer. Source: Marla / Adobe Stock.

What Did a Medieval Archer Do After His Arrows Were Spent? (Video)

What does an archer do when there are no more arrows left to fire? Is his job for the day done? In the realm of medieval warfare, after the arrows had been launched, the life of a bowman took a new...
Blacksmith forging weapon. Source: helivideo / Adobe Stock.

Bronze Age Blacksmithing: From Liquid Fire to Sword in Minutes (Video)

In a fascinating video, the BBC’s Neil Oliver skillfully recreates the ancient art of fashioning a Bronze Age sword , using techniques and materials identical to those employed by our ancestors. The...
Overview of the Mörigen arrowhead. Source: Thomas Schüpbach/Science Direct

Swiss Scientists Identify Bronze Age Iron Arrowhead Made from a Meteorite!

A team of scientists recently completed a study of prehistoric metal artifacts collected in Switzerland over the past couple of centuries, with a very clear purpose in mind. They were looking to see...
Julius Caesar. Source: furyon / Adobe Stock

Weapons of Triumph: Caesar's British Invasion (Video)

Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain posed a daunting challenge for the Roman army. Though the precise location remains uncertain, it is believed to have taken place along the Kentish coastline. The...
Artistic reconstruction showing how throwing sticks like the Schöningen Spears would have been thrown.	Source: Benoit Clarys, Universität Tübingen/CC0

300,000-Year-Old Schöningen Spears Reveal Prehistoric Advanced Woodworking

Excavated in the 1990s, the legendary Schöningen spears from Germany, the oldest weapons in human history, have consistently provided fascinating insights into the behavior of our early human...
Antique Chinese matchlock gun. Source: W.Scott McGill / Adobe Stock.

From Matchlocks to Bolt-Actions: The Evolution of Firearms (Video)

The evolution of firearms technology from the 16th century to World War II witnessed significant advancements in design, efficiency, and firepower. One of the earliest firearms, the 16th-century...
: Medieval trebuchet. Source: anibal / Adobe Stock.

Siege and Snipe: The Deadly Impact of Trebuchets and Longbows (Video)

Trebuchets and medieval longbows were both iconic weapons of warfare during the medieval period, each possessing unique characteristics and playing vital roles on the battlefield. Trebuchets were...
Medieval armored gauntlets. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tracing the Evolution of Armored Gauntlets (Video)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Armor Conservation Lab houses an intriguing collection of armored gauntlets . Among them is an early 16th-century German mitten-style gauntlet, impressively weighty...

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