It is quite difficult to give a general description of all Middle Bronze Age swords and daggers in Palestine because there was much variation within this broad realm. A more successful approach would be to describe changes and innovations regarding the construction of swords and daggers during this period from 2200 B.C.E. to 1550 B.C.E. One of the most underlying characteristic which can be attributed to all the swords of the Middle Bronze Age was the use of all metal swords made from a single cast closed mold (Guy, p. 164, Yadin, p. 60). The earliest swords from the Bronze Age were crescent shaped with a curved blade and long handle. These swords were generally used by charioteers in cavalry combat (Yadin, p. 60). During the Middle Bronze Age, however, a trend towards swords with a straight pointed blade and a shorter handle appeared. With this trend towards more traditional swords and shorter weapons classified as daggers, there was also a shift towards more hand-to- hand combat (Yadin, p. 61).
Other improvements had to be made for this new trend of hand-to- hand combat, such as strengthened attachments between the blade and hilt, which ensured that the blade would not break upon stabbing an enemy. This stability was often achieved through midribs and other ribs traveling the length of the blade (Maxwell-Hyslop, p. 22-23). Another change in the development of the sword came form the use of wooden handles which were fastened to the blade by any number of rivets from one to five (Maxwell-Hyslop, p. 25-26). Another distinguishing characteristic of Middle Bronze Age swords and daggers was the use of a pommel at the end of the hilt which was usually made out of limestone or marble. This rounded knob ensured that oneÕs hand would not slip off while fighting (Guy, p. 164).
Historical Context
From the archaeological remains, it is widely believed that the majority of advancements in the construction of Middle Bronze Age swords and daggers can be traced to the Hyksos or Hurrian metalsmiths. This group known as the Hyksos, roughly translated as ÒAsiaticsÓ or Òrulers of foreign landsÓ, came to Palestine and Egypt from central Asia, the area believed to be present day India. This group, known for its ability and advancements in warfare, ruled Egypt from 1800 B.C.E. to 1550 B.C.E., the period today recognized as Middle Bronze Age II , B and C (Abercrombie, lecture- 9/27/94). The Hyksos were also well known for other changes in the style of warfare such as the advent of the long bow and the use of phalanx formation in battle. This reliance on the phalanx stresses the use of hand- to-hand combat and would give credence to the belief that such swords and daggers were of Hyksos construction. Some archaeologists theorized that these Hyksos metalsmiths made every sword which bared their style of craftsmanship. James R. Stewart, however, suggested rather that the Hyksos may have taught their skills to others as they traveled from present day Syria to Egypt (Stewart, p. 50). This theory Stewart supported by the discovery of mounds in which large quantities of metal weapons were located in one place (Stewart, p. 50). The most decisive evidence tracing these swords and daggers to Hyksos construction comes from Ras Shamra, Gezer, Megiddo, Jericho, Lachish, and Tell el Ajjul (Ancient Gaza). These artifacts were most often linked to Hyksos construction by the presence of Hyksos scarabs or pottery within the stratigraphical remains (Maxwell- Hyslop, p. 22).
Parallels Limestone and Marble Pommels Gezer vol. III plate LXI; 23, 24 Gezer vol. II page 376, Fig. 474 Megiddo plate 122; 3 Megiddo plate 133; 3 Megiddo plate 133; 4 Tell el Ajjul vol. III plate XVIII; 7 Tell el Ajjul vol. IV plate XXII; 239 Maxwell-Hyslop's Type # 20- sloping tang / firmness at junction between blade and hilt Ugaritica I (Ras Shamra) Fig. 63, C-G Ugaritica I (Ras Shamra) Fig. 63, N Syria XVII 2 (Ras Shamra) Fig. 17 Syria XIX 3 (Ras Shamra) Fig. 27 (could not locate book, Syria) Syria XVII 2 (Ras Shamra) Fig. 17A Maxwell-Hyslop's #22 - thin pointed blade with concave sides, wide shoulders, round base, and three rivets: Megiddo plate 118; 5 Megiddo plate 118; 9 Megiddo plate 122; 8,9 Megiddo plate 146; 5 Ancient Gaza plate XVI; L.5 Ancient Gaza plate XVI; 1 Ancient Gaza plate XIX; 42 Maxwell-Hyslop's #23 - blunt straight sided blade with sloping shoulders and short tang: Gibeon Fig. 24, 92 Megiddo plate 133; 5,6 Megiddo plate 146; 6 Maxwell-Hyslop's # 25 - finely ribbed blades; Gezer I plate 60; 6 Gezer III plate CXX; Tomb 226, 1 Megiddo Megiddo plate 122; 9 Ancient Gaza II plate XIV; 74 Ancient Gaza III plate XIX; 10 Maxwell-Hyslop's # 27 - well marked shoulders and long narrow tang: Lachish plate 22; 17 Lachish plate 23; 2 Tell el Ajjul III plate XIX; 14 Tell el Ajjul IV plate XXVIII; 293 Tell el Ajjul IV plate XXI; 214 Maxwell-HyslopÕs # 27A - small tanged blades without rivets / could be classified as knives: Gezer III plate LCXVI; 3 Gezer III plate LX; 5 Lachish plate 22; 11-16 Lachish plate 22; 18-20 Tell Beit Mirsim plate 41; II