Laz Bichaq - sickle sword of 1500bc ?

Rivkin · 24th May 2005, 05:32 PM

Sorry if saying something that everyone already knows, but here is a picture from Met of what they describe as:
"Sickle sword, 1307–1275 B.C.; Middle Assyrian period, reign of Adad-nirari I
Mesopotamia"

Kind of looks like Laz Bichaq, is not it ?

Rivkin · 24th May 2005, 05:35 PM

I mean, I knew about kopis etc., and this thread have been pursued here long enough, just was kind of surprised how similar it to Laz Bichak...
Sorry if just wasting everybody's time.

tom hyle · 25th May 2005, 03:19 AM

Pretty muchly, and contrary to the name sickle sword, the cutting edge is on the outside of the curve, as on laz bichaq. Interesting co-incidence; I just sent Conogre a long-promised photo of, I think, this same sword because of his queries on the khopesh thread. I think this would have had scales of probably bone/ivory at one time. No rivet holes, you say? I've seen these hilts provided with little triangles around the tang band(?!?) that were bent down to clamp the scale, also with nails thru the edge; other times scales are said to have been adhered in. The scales themselves are usually gone. There are straight daggers too with this same type hilt design (though symetrical); flat with a tang band, no rivet holes.

Battara · 26th May 2005, 07:00 AM

Not only was this form typical in Assyria, but also in ancient Egypt at the same time.

tom hyle · 26th May 2005, 10:23 AM

Yes. It is sometimes referred to as Palestinian, Egypto-Palestinian, or NE Afrasian. Some say it came from the North. I tend more to follow the idea that it is an all-metal imitation of the (also Egypto-Palestinian) fighting broadaxe. Certainly the popular idea that associates it with Egypt as such seems to have no worthwhile basis, though, perhaps obviously, its origins are AFAIK mysterious.

24th May 2005, 05:32 PM	#1
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Laz Bichaq - sickle sword of 1500bc ? Sorry if saying something that everyone already knows, but here is a picture from Met of what they describe as: "Sickle sword, 1307–1275 B.C.; Middle Assyrian period, reign of Adad-nirari I Mesopotamia" Kind of looks like Laz Bichaq, is not it ? Attached Images

24th May 2005, 05:35 PM	#2
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	I mean, I knew about kopis etc., and this thread have been pursued here long enough, just was kind of surprised how similar it to Laz Bichak... Sorry if just wasting everybody's time.

25th May 2005, 03:19 AM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Pretty muchly, and contrary to the name sickle sword, the cutting edge is on the outside of the curve, as on laz bichaq. Interesting co-incidence; I just sent Conogre a long-promised photo of, I think, this same sword because of his queries on the khopesh thread. I think this would have had scales of probably bone/ivory at one time. No rivet holes, you say? I've seen these hilts provided with little triangles around the tang band(?!?) that were bent down to clamp the scale, also with nails thru the edge; other times scales are said to have been adhered in. The scales themselves are usually gone. There are straight daggers too with this same type hilt design (though symetrical); flat with a tang band, no rivet holes.

26th May 2005, 07:00 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Not only was this form typical in Assyria, but also in ancient Egypt at the same time.

26th May 2005, 10:23 AM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Yes. It is sometimes referred to as Palestinian, Egypto-Palestinian, or NE Afrasian. Some say it came from the North. I tend more to follow the idea that it is an all-metal imitation of the (also Egypto-Palestinian) fighting broadaxe. Certainly the popular idea that associates it with Egypt as such seems to have no worthwhile basis, though, perhaps obviously, its origins are AFAIK mysterious.