Sword with scabbard, Umm al-Ma’a, 300 BCE–650 CE

This heavily corroded iron sword, with bronze on its scabbard, was found in a grave. It was an offering to a dead warrior, from whom only fragmentary human bones were found. As was the custom at the time, the sword was intentionally broken to prevent others from using it. This was a ritual tribute to the warrior's valour.

A series of bronze fragments allow us to reconstruct the scabbard of this iron sword: a small pyramid carved in the shape of a pinecone forming the end point; as well as bronze rods in the shape of a V that would have held the side fittings, either in tanned leather or in reinforced oiled fabric. Finally, two fasteners allow us to reconstruct the fastening system.
This sword can be dated to the middle of the 1st century during the Roman period and could be of Mediterranean origin.