Spearhead
Spears were one of the most common weapons in the Anglo-Saxon time period, and the spearheads themselves were variable depending on their purpose, while also being found symbolically in graves from the time period. Spears themselves were used for hunting, warfare, and other practical uses throughout the Anglo-Saxon world. The spear shafts were generally made out of wood while the spearhead was of a stronger material such as iron and later attached to the shaft. The length of the weapon would usually range between five and ten feet long, and the construction of the spearhead would be dependent on the design in mind, although they would generally range from several inches to two feet in length. For example, spears designed to be stabbed or thrusted would have more flat-sided, leaflike spearheads while ones used for throwing would be lighter and have additional jagged edges around the tip to have a wider damage area.
Spearheads transitioned – at different moments by place and time – from being intended to bend upon impact (single-use) and having longer, defined blades, as the efficacy of iron blades developed. The popularization of the object during its time period allows for archaeology to uncover many different examples of spearheads and connect their similarity to different civilizations and uncover information about their way of life. For example, consistencies in the material, angle, and patterns welded can provide indications as to the association of various Anglo-Saxon civilizations in addition to traditional radiocarbon dating techniques.
In constructing a model with raw materials, I carved out a spearhead from rock using hammer and chisel due to the unavailability and of traditional metalworking techniques. The dimensions of my own may be more like that of an arrowhead, as trial and error continued to reduce the size of my rock. The end result was an oval-like triangle with a sharp(ish) tip and jagged sides curving down to the base, although lacking an attachment socket but with groves to somehow be tied to a stick. (picture unavailable as I lost the object)
The first thing to note about the construction process was the amount of discard that could occur, especially if the maker is not as skilled, and creating discard in a manner that could be used for other purposes. In his assessment of various excavated spearheads from the Anglo-Saxon era, Michael Welton determined that a significant percentage of the spearheads were constructed by crudely welding smaller pieces of iron. This is a reminder of the human error role in every mode, as modern techniques have developed mechanization and the ability to go back on many projects. It seems that during this process skill and foresight would be needed for the production to be efficient, consisting of a combination of both professional smiths and refiners to occupy the role in society as well as some general knowledge amongst most of the community.
