Gamma-shaped hilt dagger

The gamma-shaped hilt dagger^[1] (in Italian: Pugnale ad elsa gammata) is a type of bronze dagger typical of the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia. It owes its name to the inverted gamma-shaped handle. Used for animal sacrifices, they are widespread in Nuragic sanctuaries. ^[1]

They are dated to the early Iron Age and are often represented in the Nuragic bronze statuettes on men's chests; according to some scholars they appeared as early as the Late Bronze Age.^[2] It was a weapon with a strong symbolic value, a sign of belonging to the social body.

Gallery[edit]

• 
  gamma-shaped hilt daggers from Su Benatzu, Santadi. National Archaeological Museum, Cagliari
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  Chief with gamma-shaped hilt daggers on his chest, Fluminimaggiore, Antas
• 
  The "mother of the killed" bronze statuette from Urzulei, the young man has a gamma-shaped hilt dagger on his chest
• 
  Prince with a gamma-shaped hilt dagger, Torralba

Notes[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

• Nadia Canu, Antonella Fois, Il pugnale ad elsa gammata nella civiltà nuragica Nuove attestazioni iconografiche da contesti santuariali, 2016