A Late Chalcolithic dagger

Amongst the many flint artifacts found during the start of this archaeological season at Provadia-Solnitsata, attributes from long-range weapons stand out, such as spear tips made from flint and bone. One of the flint blades, however, is a dagger-blade. A dagger is a close-range weapon with a short, straight, and a double-edged blade. The flint blade is inserted in the handle by the notches formed in the blade’s shoulders, and is fixed in place with the help of bast and natural glues. Our artifact was found in a Late Chalcolithic layer in the settlement mound, next to the ruins of a two-story house from the V millennium BC. It was crafted from a straight blade that was then worked into a symmetrical, double-edged tip with double-notches on the side intended to be hafted on a wooden or horn handle. There is no evidence of wear on the surface of the dagger, suggesting its role was primarily for ritual, symbol of power, and authority.