102 



Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Saxony, but without handles, four of which are figured in Montelius' " Die 

 Ohronologie," and are reproduced here (fig. 2). An analysis of one of the 

 blades gave 15 per cent, of tin, and of a rivet 4'5 per cent, of tin. From the 

 straight- across mark on the blades, and some bronze tubular pieces for 

 the handles, there seems no doubt that they were intended for wooden 

 shafts placed at right angles, and evidently represent the earlier type. The 

 blades are straight, and about 11 to 12 inches long, the longest being about 

 12i inches. It is important to note that the rivets are of two kinds, large 



Fig. 2.— Bronze Halberds, Stendal (Montelius, figs. 112 to 119) 



and stout, like the usual Irish form ; and some with metal washers, like the 

 solitary example found in Ireland on the copper blade. No. 20. In general 

 appearance these halberd blades from Stendal are closer to the Irish halberds 

 than any others which have been found on the Continent, but do not include 

 the curved or scythe-shaped form common in Ireland. 



Examples of copper halberds, with remains of the transverse wooden shafts 

 in position, found by H, and L. Siret in the south-east of Spain,^ give us, how- 



^ See plates to H. and L. Siret's " Les Premiers Ages dii Metal dans le sud-est de I'Espagne." 

 The largest halberd (fig. 3, below) is given as about eight inches, 



