Original 2nd – 3rd Century AD Ancient Celtic “La Tene” Socketed Spearhead / Roman Light Cavalry Spearhead on Display Base – Recovered in Central Europe Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a very interesting spearhead, dating back to the 2nd – 3rd Century. The spearhead is either Celt or Roman due to the design. The Ancient Celts were heavily influenced by the Romans and many tribes made weapons modeled after their enemy. The leaf shaped spear is one of the most common weapons seen in the arsenal of the fighting man in many periods of history, making identification quite challenging.

Following military experience gained after initial contact with the Roman armies from the 1st century AD, the Celts changed the design of their spearheads so that they possessed a narrower profile, much like this example here. This was a reaction to the Roman use of protective body armor and the need to find a spear that could effectively puncture their plates.

On the other side of the spectrum, this could very well be a Roman Lancea. The Lancea was a javelin used in ancient Rome. According to the OED, the word originally came from the Celtiberian language, also cf. λόγχη (lonche), the Greek term for lance. One kind of lancea, possibly known as the lancea pugnatoria or “the fighting lance” was used as a thrusting weapon by cavalrymen. This weapon was used by cavalrymen as it was lighter and easier to use than the pilum. The lancea was also used by auxiliaries. legionaries would use the lancea if the occasion called for it. Arrian equipped his army with the weapon during a battle with the Alans. Soldiers that used it were known as lancearii. It is unclear how the lancea was distinguished from the hastae. Many lancea had amenta (leather straps), although not all. This kind of javelin also had short wooden shafts and small leaf-shaped metal heads also like this example. Sometimes the heads had elongated points which may have been used to increase the penetration of the spear.

This example measures 15” in total length with a 4” socket. The spearhead is mounted (though removable) on a lovely wooden base. The base has a brass plate that reads as:

ANCIENT ROMAN CAVALRY SPEAR
2ND – 3RD CENT. AD.
CENTRAL EUROPE

A beautiful example that comes more than ready for further research and display.