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EARLY BRONZE AGE DAGGERS IN CENTRAL ... - Bilkent University

EARLY BRONZE AGE DAGGERS IN CENTRAL ... - Bilkent University

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has a wooden core wrapped in electrum. The dagger was probably a status item rather<br />

than a functional weapon.<br />

Type If2<br />

The final Type I dagger to discuss is also the most elaborate dagger found in<br />

Central Anatolia. It is made out of iron and has a crescentic pommel construction. The<br />

handle attached to the dagger with five rivets, first three in a triangular arrangement.<br />

5.3 Type II<br />

Without a doubt, the broad central flange (midrib) was one of the most<br />

common and technologically advanced methods to produce dagger blades in Central<br />

Anatolia. The wide central flange ensured the rigidity of the blade while keeping the<br />

blade relatively thin-profiled (Maxwell-Hyslop 1946:14). This technological<br />

innovation prevented the blade from buckling while allowing it to penetrate and be<br />

withdrawn easily. The advantage of a wide central flange was recognized even by the<br />

Hittites in the later era and became one of their favorite blade types (Maxwell-Hyslop,<br />

1946: 14).<br />

Type IIa<br />

Type IIa daggers have flat midribs which are at the same width as the tang and<br />

the edge of the midrib runs parallel to the edges of the blade. The tang is pierced with<br />

a single rivet. Thse daggers are subdivided, based on the shoulder morphology. An<br />

Ahlatlıbel dagger (Cat. No: 1) is a good representative of this type of daggers.<br />

49

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