L'épée d'Onnen (Groningue, Pays-Bas), de la tourbière aux rayons X

2022

The Onnen sword was found in 1896 while exploiting a peat bog, about 1.5 m deep. It is a so-called “antennae” sword, named after the spirals at the top of the pommel and it dates back to last phase of the Bronze Age (ca. 9th century BC). The Groninger Museum now curates the sword with inventory number 1896/I 4. Although this sword is already mentioned in the archaeological literature, it was never correctly published. Its recent study in the cultural heritage agency of The Netherlands gives us a good opportunity to make a detailed presentation as well as to investigate its production techniques to discuss its possible origins.