| The Bronze Age was the time in which humans | | | | the technology for bronze swords reached its |
| began to manufacture and use metal-bladed | | | | highest point during the Qin Dynasty and the |
| weapons. Swords developed from what we know | | | | Warring States. During the Warring States period, |
| as the dagger. The oldest sword-like weapon that | | | | very unique technologies were put into use. This |
| has been found was in Arslantepe, Turkey and | | | | included casting high tin edges over a lower, |
| was dated around 3300 BC. Swords which were | | | | softer tin core as well as the application of |
| longer than 60 centimeters were not practical | | | | diamond shaped designs into the blade. The |
| during the Bronze Age. At longer lengths the | | | | Chinese also used a high tin bronze (17-21% tin) |
| tensile strength of bronze starts to decrease | | | | while most cultures preferred a lower tin bronze |
| rapidly, making the sword super susceptible to | | | | (typically 10% tin). With this lower tin, the sword |
| bending. It was not until stronger allows such as | | | | would bend when stressed too much as opposed |
| steel and improved heat treatment processes | | | | to the Chinese tin that simply brakes. It |
| were developed that long swords became a | | | | wasn’t until the Han period in which iron had |
| practical weapon for combat. | | | | completely replaced bronze. |
| Earlier in the Bronze Age the hilt allowed for a | | | | Iron swords were the weapons that became |
| manageable grip and prevented the hand from | | | | completely popular during the 13th century BC. |
| slipping during a thrust. These early swords | | | | Because of its ability to be mass-produced easily, |
| typically had smaller and slender blades that were | | | | and the wider availability, the Bronze Age slowly |
| used for thrusting. Later, swords became used | | | | moved in the Iron Age. The earliest iron blades |
| for both cutting and thrusting. A European sword | | | | were hardly comparable with later steel blades. |
| known as the leaf-shaped blade was most | | | | But the Iron Age soon turned in the Middle Ages, |
| common in North-West Europe at the end of the | | | | thus the popularity of swords increased even |
| Bronze Age. This was especially true in the UK | | | | more, far into the Renaissance and in certain |
| and in Ireland. | | | | cultures, even into the modern age. Swords are |
| Sword production was also prevalent in China | | | | and always have been a strong, reliable weapon |
| during the Bronze Age Shang Dynasty. In fact, | | | | that will never die away. |