Late Bronze Age Levantine Bronze Spearhead with Reinforced Midrib | Canaanite Weapon 1200–900 BC

This authentic bronze spearhead dates to the Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age Levant, a time when Canaanite and early Phoenician cultures dominated trade and warfare across the eastern Mediterranean. The weapon features a narrow leaf-shaped blade and a long tang, designed to be inserted into a wooden shaft to form a light spear or throwing javelin.

One distinctive feature of this piece is the pronounced metal ridge running down the center of the blade, known as a reinforced midrib. This structural element strengthened the weapon while keeping the blade thin and lightweight, allowing it to penetrate effectively without bending on impact. Such reinforcement was an important technological detail in ancient weapon production, improving both durability and balance when the weapon was thrown or used in close combat.

Over centuries underground, the bronze surface developed a natural green and brown patina typical of ancient copper alloy artifacts preserved in the soils of the Levant.

Length: 10.5 cm (4.1 inches)
Weight: 23 grams

The Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (approximately 1200–900 BC) was a period of major transition in the ancient Near East. The region of the Levant was home to powerful Canaanite city-states and emerging Phoenician maritime cultures, which controlled important trade routes connecting Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean world. Spears and javelins were among the most common weapons used by warriors during this era.

The spearhead is made of bronze, an alloy primarily composed of copper and tin that was widely used before iron became dominant. Ancient metalworkers created such weapons by casting molten bronze into molds, then hammering and sharpening the blade to create a strong cutting edge. The reinforced midrib added structural strength to the blade, while the tang allowed the weapon to be firmly mounted onto a wooden shaft using bindings or resin.