Spearheads from Burials of Savromato-Sarmatian Time from the Territory of Volgograd Region (Materials for Catalogue)

Abstract

Introduction. Information about the armament and military arts of nomads of the Early Iron age can be obtained from writings of Greek and Roman authors, who note the warlike temper of Savromatian and Sarmatian tribes. They mention bows, swords and spears among the armament of nomads in their works. This information is confirmed by the archaeological material. Finds of spearheads in burials are quite rare and are ranked third after arrows and swords in percentage. Methods. The typological features of spearheads are based on the shape of their pen, which allows distinguishing two types of spears – leaf-shaped and lence-shaped. Analysis. This article is the beginning of the catalog of spearheads, darts and spear counter-weights found in the Lower Volga Region in Savromatian and Sarmatian monuments. At this moment, the authors have taken into account a sample of 29 spearheads, 3 darts and 3 spear counter-weights and made their typological analysis. Results. The typological analysis, which forms the basis of our classification of spearheads, allows tracing the development of this type of armament in Volgograd region. The further development of this topic will help to find typological interrelationships of spearheads, to clarify their chronological positions and features of mutual occurrence in burials with other types of armament and equipment. In turn, this analysis will help to determine the social status of the buried persons and their role in ethnopolitical processes.

Keywords

• weapons
• spearheads
• darts
• volgograd region
• savromatian culture
• early sarmatian culture
• middle sarmatian culture
• late sarmatian culture