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RESEARCH PRODUCT

À la recherche des aires de production des épées de l'âge du Bronze : où sont les moules ?

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No large-scale study of Bronze Age swords moulds currently exists. This is yet a key element in order to be able to discuss the potential production areas locations, question often tackled since more than a half century in the archaeological literature dedicated to these weapons. Regional studies will first allow us to produce an inventory of these moulds in Europe. This is an essential condition to a further discussion on the swords production techniques through the study of the most direct witnesses of their fabrication. Distribution maps then enable a study of the potential regions these swords were produced in. We notice this way that a huge contrast exists between the very few moulds identified by archaeologists and the number of finished products that were discovered so far. This highlights the gaps in our knowledge of ancient craftsmen skills, as well as significant differences in the distribution of the moulds, the blades and the hilts, inviting us to rethink our models about the organisation of these weapons production.