#FindsFriday – Spearheads

Happy #FindsFriday everyone! Today we’ll be discussing some spearheads found during our 2013 excavations at Bakers Lane, Colchester.

At least five socketed spearheads came from a burial pit within a large funerary enclosure. They had long, narrow blades that tapered gently to the point, suggesting that they were designed for deep penetration and would easily pierce armour or protective leathers.

A similar spearhead was found in the warrior burial at Stanway (keep your eyes open for a future #FindsFriday! ) suggesting that the Bakers Lane burial was Late Iron Age in date and that these spears belonged to a member of the Catuvellauni. The spearheads were of slightly different lengths and could therefore represent a collection of weapons including thrusting spears for close combat or javelins for throwing.

Originally the Stanway spear was interpreted as possibly ceremonial, however the discovery of these five spearheads suggest that they were in fact practical weapons! We wonder what kind of person would have used them?

For more information check out CAT Report 709 at: http://cat.essex.ac.uk/all-reports.html