Pages: 365-382
The early daggers of the 4th mill. BC are in the focus of this study, where a wider perspective on daggers is aimed at. Based on the realization that material and form of daggers are interdependent factors, a level of production shall be distinguished from a level of use: metal daggers with or without arsenic alloy are produced in workshops or individually in one area and they may be used, shafted and modified in other areas and regions. In other words: the people who produce metal daggers or provide the raw materials are not necessarily corresponding with the group of persons that own, use, or modify these objects. Indeed, it seems challenging to trace the use of metal daggers, but it may be indicated by several modifications such as different ways of shafting or the use of rivets.
The paper oscillates between these two different layers and tries to contour, how these different groups or even different networks, that are not necessarily connected to each other, can become visible through the typological veil which can have a rather concealing effect on the recognition of dynamic processes.
Keywords: dagger, copper and arsenic alloy, 4th mill. BC, northern Pontic region
Information about author:
Regina Anna Uhl (Berlin, Germany). Doctor of Philosophy. Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Eurasien-Abteilung. Im Dol 2-6, Haus II, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-9890-1541