A recent study published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences explores the development and unique characteristics of Late Bronze Age swords found in the Balearic Islands (Spain). These weapons, dated between 1000 and 800 B.C., reveal a fascinating intersection between local traditions and imported technologies, reflecting the increasing connectivity of the Western Mediterranean during this period.

The research team, led by Laura Perelló Mateo and her colleagues from the University of the Balearic Islands, analyzed both the manufacturing techniques and the chemical and isotopic compositions of these swords, offering new perspectives on cultural and technological interaction in the region.

Between the 14th and 13th centuries B.C., the Western Mediterranean saw a significant increase in mobility and cultural exchange. In the Balearic Islands, this resulted in the introduction of new objects and materials, such as copper and tin, leading to a notable increase in the quantity of metal artifacts. According to the study, while the total weight of metal objects in Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera during the Early Bronze Age was just 2.15 kg, this figure rose to 53 kg by the Middle and Late Bronze Age.

Bronze age swords balearic islands
Swords found in the Balearic Islands. Credit: Delibes and Fernández-Miranda / Brandherm / Carreras / Salvà / Sureda et al.

In this context, swords emerged as key symbols of this cultural interaction. Although inspired by continental models, these weapons display unique characteristics that indicate a reinterpretation process in their new geographic setting. The analysis details how advanced technologies, such as lost-wax casting and the use of ternary bronzes (copper alloys with tin and lead), combined with local traditions to create hybrid objects.

The study identified 18 Late Bronze Age swords in the Balearic Islands, most of them from Mallorca and classified as Son Oms type, named after the location where they were first found. These swords share a set of distinctive features, such as solid grips (most swords have a disc- or diamond-shaped pommel, often decorated with a central button) and thin blades (the blades tend to have straight edges and a rhomboidal cross-section with a well-defined central rib) that attach to the grips with three rivets arranged in a triangular pattern or through direct casting techniques.

Though they exhibit superficial similarities with swords from Central Europe and Italy of the same era, their uniqueness lies in local adaptations. For example, Balearic swords tend to have a redefined functionality and symbolism compared to their continental counterparts.

b) Image of the sword from Son Foradat and close-ups of the chipped sword blade. c) Image of the sword from Ses Salines and close-up of the blade made to look like a sheath cast as one single piece. Credit: Regional Museum of Artà / Lluc Museum

The research team used advanced methods like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to study the elemental and isotopic composition of the swords. The results reveal a varied use of alloys, highlighting significant differences between the blades and the grips.

While the blades contain less than 2% lead, the grips have significantly higher levels, suggesting specific intentions by the artisans to improve alloy fluidity and facilitate casting.

Isotopic analyses also revealed the origin of the metals used. A substantial part of the copper came from deposits in Linares (mainland Spain), though sources in Menorca, Mallorca, and, to a lesser extent, Sardinia, were also identified. These findings confirm the existence of complex exchange networks and the integration of the Balearic Islands into Mediterranean trade circuits.

Bronze age swords balearic islands
Image of the machete from Lloseta. Credit: Archeology Museum of Catalonia / Delibes and Fernández-Miranda

Most of the swords were found in Talayotic contexts, such as villages and fortified settlements, reinforcing their association with the social and ritual practices of these communities. Some notable examples include:

  • The Son Foradat collection (Sant Llorenç des Cardassar): Discovered during house construction in the 1920s, this find includes swords and other metal objects associated with a large Talayotic settlement.
  • The Es Mitjà Gran site: Excavated between 1916 and 1920, this location contains a collection of artifacts likely part of an Iron Age ceremonial center.
  • Can Jordi and Son Matge: These sites show evidence of burials in natural caves, though it is unclear if the swords were associated with specific individuals or collective deposits.

The study delves into how these imported objects acquired new meanings as they were integrated into the Balearic context. The authors highlight processes of technological hybridization and symbolic redefinition, where foreign elements were reinterpreted according to local cultural logics. For instance, the swords served not only as functional weapons but also as status symbols and ceremonial objects.

The Late Bronze Age swords of the Balearic Islands are far more than tools of war: they are witnesses to a period of profound change, increasing connectivity, and cultural creativity.

SOURCES

Perelló Mateo, L., Llull Estarellas, B. & Calvo Trías, M. Almost the same, but not quite: an analysis of Late Bronze Age swords in the Balearic Islands. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 16, 194 (2024). doi.org/10.1007/s12520-024-02088-0

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