ROMAN LEGIONARIES JAVELIN HEAD, IMPERIAL PERIOD

First to fifth century AD. Finely forge iron over 5 1/8” (5.12”) with fine medially ridged leaf shaped point. The ridges continuing as the finely forged closed seam socket with base hole for a securing pin. Originally mounted on a short wood haft, each war chariot carried three which were hand thrown or thrust at very close range. These javelins were used to impale enemy shields, causing them to tilt, exposing the warrior behind.  They were equally effective for direct attack on the warrior as circumstances allowed.