ANGLO-SAXON JAVELIN OR SPEAR HEAD, ENGLAND C.1000 AD

See Laking I p.4 fig.4d. Forged iron 7‰۝ length with acutely angled elongated diamond form blade with high medial ridge. Lapped seam conical socket, the base irregular and just slightly longer originally. Excellent excavated condition. This is a light spear for throwing. It dates to the period of Viking dominance of the English island. The Anglo-Saxons were a mix of Germanic people from central Europe and Jutland who migrated to England after the fall of Rome and the withdrawal of the Roman military. By the time of the Norman Conquest, Vikings occupied over half of England which was systematically captured through relentless military action in the 9th and 10th century. Numerous actions resulted in English victory over the Vikings. This is a light spear, made for throwing, which served the English against the Vikings.