Ancient dagger(knife?) from Ekron: need ID

ariel · 13th March 2006, 03:13 AM

"Biblical Archeology Review" Vol. 32: 2, March/April 2006, pp.7-8.
A letter by Mr. Ralph D. Copeland from San Antonio, TX : he discusses this dagger from Ekron (around modern Gaza/Ashqelon). Ekron was one of the 5 Philistininan cities and the dagger in question likely dates to Samson/King Saul/King David period ( ~ 1000 BCE). It has an ivory (!) handle and is sharpened on the concave side (as the author says" on the fingertip side in the photo" and may have a T-spine.
His speculations: dagger? agricultural implement? ritual implement?
His suggestion: it is rather a sickle than a fighting dagger, impossible to use as a cutting tool because of the location of the edge and the presence of a T-spine.
The author of the original article, Mr.Seymour Gitin ("Excavating Ekron" BAR, Nov/Dec. 2005) apologized for the imprecision of calling it a dagger (a weapon)and agrees that it is likely to be a knife, ie a tool.
My commentary: I could argue that there were multiple recurved swords and daggers all over the world, but I would rather get your opinion.
Overall, the folks at the BAR could benefit from your experience.
their site: www.biblicalarcheology.org
e-mail address: bas@bib-arch.org

Andrew · 13th March 2006, 04:11 AM

The concave edge and t-spine argue against this being a weapon?

That makes little sense.

An ivory handle on an agricultural tool likewise makes little sense.

As you note, Ariel, many weapons have similar features. While I wouldn't want to butcher meat with this, it would be a rather fearsome weapon, perfectly capable of causing grievous injury.

13th March 2006, 03:13 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Ancient dagger(knife?) from Ekron: need ID "Biblical Archeology Review" Vol. 32: 2, March/April 2006, pp.7-8. A letter by Mr. Ralph D. Copeland from San Antonio, TX : he discusses this dagger from Ekron (around modern Gaza/Ashqelon). Ekron was one of the 5 Philistininan cities and the dagger in question likely dates to Samson/King Saul/King David period ( ~ 1000 BCE). It has an ivory (!) handle and is sharpened on the concave side (as the author says" on the fingertip side in the photo" and may have a T-spine. His speculations: dagger? agricultural implement? ritual implement? His suggestion: it is rather a sickle than a fighting dagger, impossible to use as a cutting tool because of the location of the edge and the presence of a T-spine. The author of the original article, Mr.Seymour Gitin ("Excavating Ekron" BAR, Nov/Dec. 2005) apologized for the imprecision of calling it a dagger (a weapon)and agrees that it is likely to be a knife, ie a tool. My commentary: I could argue that there were multiple recurved swords and daggers all over the world, but I would rather get your opinion. Overall, the folks at the BAR could benefit from your experience. their site: www.biblicalarcheology.org e-mail address: bas@bib-arch.org Attached Images Last edited by ariel; 13th March 2006 at 03:27 AM.

13th March 2006, 04:11 AM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	The concave edge and t-spine argue against this being a weapon? That makes little sense. An ivory handle on an agricultural tool likewise makes little sense. As you note, Ariel, many weapons have similar features. While I wouldn't want to butcher meat with this, it would be a rather fearsome weapon, perfectly capable of causing grievous injury.