Gamma-shaped hilt dagger
The gamma-shaped hilt dagger[1] (in Italian: Pugnale ad elsa gammata) is a type of bronze dagger typical of the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia. It owes its name to the inverted gamma-shaped handle. Used for animal sacrifices, they are widespread in Nuragic sanctuaries. [1]
They are dated to the early Iron Age and are often represented in the Nuragic bronze statuettes on men's chests; according to some scholars they appeared as early as the Late Bronze Age.[2] It was a weapon with a strong symbolic value, a sign of belonging to the social body.
Gallery
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gamma-shaped hilt daggers from Su Benatzu, Santadi. National Archaeological Museum, Cagliari -
Chief with gamma-shaped hilt daggers on his chest, Fluminimaggiore, Antas -
The "mother of the killed" bronze statuette from Urzulei, the young man has a gamma-shaped hilt dagger on his chest -
Prince with a gamma-shaped hilt dagger, Torralba
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Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Dagger with a gammadion-shaped hilt (Nuraghic complex of Albucciu), retrieved 3 January 2024
- ^ MiBACT, Il pugnale ad elsa gammata nella civiltà nuragica (in Italian), retrieved 3 January 2024
Bibliography
[edit]- Nadia Canu, Antonella Fois, Il pugnale ad elsa gammata nella civiltà nuragica Nuove attestazioni iconografiche da contesti santuariali, 2016