Roman Bronze Javelin Head (Light Throwing Spear / Roman Dart Head) | Imperial Period 1st Century AD

This authentic Roman bronze javelin head, often described in the antiquities trade as a Roman dart head, dates to the 1st century AD during the Roman Imperial period. Light projectile weapons like this were used by Roman soldiers and auxiliary troops across the empire, including the provinces of the Levant and Judea.

The slender blade and elongated tang were designed to be mounted onto a wooden shaft, creating a lightweight throwing weapon capable of traveling quickly and striking with precision. Weapons of this type were commonly used in battle as well as in hunting and military training.

Artifacts such as this offer a direct connection to the Roman world during the early Imperial era, a time when Roman authority shaped the military, political, and cultural landscape of the ancient Near East.

Length: 9.5 cm (3.74 in)

Weight: 19.2 grams

1st Century AD — Roman Imperial Period
This javelin head originates from the early centuries of the Roman Empire, a time when Roman legions and auxiliary troops controlled vast territories across the Mediterranean and the Near East. During this period, projectile weapons such as javelins and darts were commonly used in military campaigns, patrols, and hunting. Similar weapons have been discovered at Roman military sites, forts, and settlements throughout the Levant and the wider Roman world.

Bronze was widely used in antiquity for tools and weapons due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Roman metalworkers typically produced pieces like this by casting molten bronze into molds, then hammering and sharpening the blade to achieve the final form. The long tang allowed the head to be securely fitted into a wooden shaft, creating a reliable and reusable projectile weapon.