A pair of barbed and tanged flint arrowheads have been found near Eye.

These arrowheads were recovered close to one another in 2020. They are flint barbed and tanged arrowheads, so named because of the distinctive flanking barbs and central tang on the proximal (bottom) end. Triangular-shaped, the edges and much of each face have been ‘retouched’, which means that they have been modified to both sharpen the point and edges, as well as creating the ideal shape. Tool manufacture and retouching was intricate work undertaken by a skilled craftsperson.

The Early Bronze Age (circa 2400-1600 BC) was a period of change including the introduction of ‘Beaker’ style pottery and the advent of metalworking. These arrowheads highlight that the manufacture and use of flint tools continued to be an important part of people’s lives. Archaeological evidence suggests they were used as projectiles in both hunting activities and as weapons, perhaps in warfare. They are also frequently recovered as grave goods from archaeological sites, suggesting they performed significant roles in both life and death in the Bronze Age.

Both arrowheads have been recorded separately on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database.

View the full record of SF-B5D10C on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database.

View the full record of SF-B5EB04 on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database.

Thank you to the finder for allowing this object to be featured.

This find was recorded by the Suffolk Finds Recording Team, supported by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.