Arrow point
Unknown Artist
664–525 BC
Medium
Bronze or copper alloy
Dimensions
L. 3.4 × W. 1.1 cm (1 5/16 × 7/16 in.)
Classification
Arrow point
Period
Late Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Accession
Accession Number
O.C.2057k
Art Historical Context
This slender arrow point, crafted from bronze or copper alloy during Egypt's Late Period (Dyn 26, ca. 664–525 BC), exemplifies the practical artistry of ancient Egyptian weapon-making. Measuring just 3. cm long and 1.1 cm wide, its compact, leaf-shaped form was designed for deadly precision when launched from a composite bow—a staple of Egyptian archery. Produced under the Saite dynasty, a time of political reunification and military resurgence after centuries of fragmentation, such points armed soldiers in campaigns against invaders and rivals. The choice of bronze or copper alloy marked a t...