Coffey — Recent Prehistoric Finds acquired hj the Academy. 91 



rapiers in his Period IV, whicli he dates at from the end of the fifteenth 

 to the middle of the twelfth century B.C., so that his dating of these objects 

 almost agrees with that of iL Deehelette, and this period practically coincides 

 with the date I have chosen for the erection of the principal tumuli at Xew 

 Grange and Loughcrew, i.e., some time before 1200 B.C., as given in my recent 

 book, " Xew Grange and other Incised Tumuli in Ireland." 



It is now well recognized that the development of the Aegean-Mycenaean 

 swords went on liaes parallel to those of western Europe. "We find first that 

 long rapiers or thrusting weapons, which go back to the Cypriote dagger with 

 the curved or hook-shaped tang appear, and later come the swords with cutting 

 edges. "We cannot doubt that some of the western rapiers or daggers were 

 derived from the ilycenaean types, which were then lengthening into swords. 

 See on this point M. Deehelette, "Manuel d'Archeologie," vol. ii, p. 214. A 

 direct bond is otherwise established between the Mycenaean types and those 

 of the "West by the bronze swords found in Sicily with pottery dated as ilrnoan 

 Eecent III. These Sicilian rapiers, which appear to be local imitations of 

 Mycenaean types, are found in tombs belonging to the period immediately 

 following that of the Mycenaean rapiers. 



It is interesting to note that the rapier was the parent of a rare type of 

 spear-head that is almost confined to Ireland. There are sis examples in the 

 Academy's collection, and one in that of the Eoyal Society of Antiquaries of 

 Ireland. In England only two have been found, one at York, and one in the 

 Thames at Taplow. This type was evolved by adding a socket to the rapier- 

 blade, and attaching a pair of loops a short way down the socket. One example 

 foimd at Taplow on the Thames has a pair of gold studs at the base of the 

 blade, which are no doubt derived from the rivets at the base of the rapier. 



4. Eecent Fkd FEOii the Xeighboukhood of Lough Eexe. 



Eecently the Academy was fortunate enough to obtain a very fine 

 bronze spear-head and two bronze leaf-shaped swords foimd at Tempo, 

 Co. Eermanagh, through the agency of Mi;. Thomas Plunkett, M.Pi.I.A The 

 spear-head, which measures 15J inches, is in a very fine state of preservation, 

 and belongs to a rare form (fig. 3, p. 92). The loops are formed by the 

 extension of the smaU ribs on each side of the mid-rib, which are turned at 

 right angles to the socket ; there are also rivet-holes. It is almost identical 

 with the spear-head figiu'ed by Evans,^ which was found at Knockans, 



' •' Archaenlogia," to]. Ixi, p. 97. " " Bronze Implements," p. 331, fig. 41. 



E.I. A. PEOC, VOL. SXX., SECT. C. [13] 



