Arrowhead

ca. 4th century BCE
Not on view
This is a bronze socketed trilobate (i.e., ‘three-bladed’) javelin head. It is about twice the size of an arrowhead, but too small to be a spearhead. It was excavated at the Tall-i Takht at Pasargadae, about 55 miles northeast of Shiraz, Iran. Pasargadae was founded by Cyrus the Great (reigned ca. 550-530 B.C.) as the first capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The Tall-i Takht is an elevated platform that was presumably intended as the site of Cyrus’ palace. In later years it served as a fortified citadel, and this spearhead probably dates to this period of later use.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Arrowhead
  • Date: ca. 4th century BCE
  • Geography: Iran, Pasargadae
  • Culture: Seleucid
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 2 3/8 × 7/16 in. (6 × 1.1 cm)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, H. Dunscombe Colt Gift, 1978
  • Object Number: 1978.93.17
  • Curatorial Department: Ancient West Asian Art

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