FALCATA                 
Cemetery of Cabezo Lucero
(Guardamar del Segura, Alicante)


Iron
l: 57 cm; w: 7 cm; th: 1.5 cm
Iberian
Second quarter of the 4th century BC.
 

“Falcata” or curved sword with the hilt in the shape of a bird’s head. The iron sword has been forged and beaten, and has a double edged blade at the point, of which a small piece is missing. Longitudinal parallel grooves run along the blade and there is a rivet in the hilt. Clips attached to the back and two suspension rings are also present. The falcata is the most characteristic Iberian weapon, especially in the Contestania region where it is frequently found in graves. Falcatas are normally richly decorated, which indicates that, as well as being weapons, they were also objects of prestige, and indicate the high social status of the bearer in whose grave they were buried. As well as being found in graves, falcatas are also represented in sculptures and in the decoration of Iberian pottery.
This sword comes from grave 36 of the cemetery of Cabezo Lucero.
C.S.: 5723
ARANEGUI et al., 1993, 197 s., fig. 39.1
CABRÉ, Mª E., 1934.
QUESADA SANZ, F., 1997.
Various Authors, 1992.