The Bronze Age, as its name suggests, is a historical period characterised by the extensive use of bronze. The beginning of the Bronze Age differed from region to region and culture to culture, as it was heavily dependent on the discovery of tin mining, smelting, and its combination with hot copper. The result was a hardier and more durable metal, allowing Bronze Age civilisations to transition away from stone tools to metal tools. However, tin was not abundantly available, possibly limiting the use of bronze to the upper classes. Many bronze pieces have been found alongside gold items in the wealthiest burials of warriors and princes from the period.
The knife is reminiscent of the late Bronze Age- early Iron Age sickle blades and falcata blade. The latter was a type of short sword used by the Celts. A falcata was single-edged, with a blade that bended inwards, and then back outwards at the tip. This shape was thought to distribute the weight of the weapon, allowing both momentum and thrust when used, as well as a long cutting edge.
