Short iron sword (Sant Pau de Riu-sec, Sabadell)
Short iron sword found at Sant Pau de Riu-sec (13th c.)
Restored short iron sword from Sant Pau de Riu-sec.
- Origin: Organic soil layer (SU 1199) with ashes and charcoal remains. It was located in the outer courtyard of Sant Pau de Riu-Sec’s church. This layer is associated with levels of demolition and spatial reorganization of the encomienda ruled by the Order of the Knights Temple in the late Middle Ages.
- Excavation: 2011 and 2012 campaigns (Arrago sl and UAB)
- Serial Number: SPR2011-1199-31, SPR2012-1199-7.
- Stratigraphic Dating: 13th – mid 14th centuries.
- Material: Wrought iron.
- Dimensions: Total length 43 cm (blade 34 cm long. Handle 9 cm long). Maximum blade width 3,5 cm. Maximum handle width 4,4 cm.
- Description: Short sword, preserved in several pieces. This is the type of knife known in medieval documents as “coltell”. It has a blade of solid iron, with two well-marked edges and an oval section. The handle has a rectangular section with a top squared end. Probably the handle was originally wrapped with wood or leather.
- Parallel: We currently do not know other copy of this type of sword in Catalonia that comes from archaeological intervention. In southern France there is only a partial piece from Montsegur Castle.
- Bibliography:
- ROIG, J. – COLL, J.M. (2012), “La intervenció arqueològica a Sant Pau de Riu-sec 2007-2008 (Sabadell, Vallès Occ.): la vil·la romana, l’assentament d’època carolíngia i la parròquia i granja templera medievals”, Arqueologia Medieval, 6-7 (2010-2012), Acram, Barcelona, 2012, p.24-41.
- VVAA (1990). Archeologie et vie quotidienne aux XII et XIV siecles en Midi-Pyrenees. Musée des Augustins. 7 mars – 31 mai 1990, Toulouse 1990. Association pour la Promotion de l’Archéologie et des Musées Archéologiques en Midi-Pyrénées. Toulouse.
