Medieval, 12th-16th century AD. Forged iron, 4 3/4" length with elongated pyramidal point and forged seam conical socket which secured it to its shaft with a cross pin which is intact. Excellent preservation for the period and possibly an arsenal kept rather than excavated. The ballista peaked in popularity during the Roman Empire and continued in use during the Medieval period. It consisted of a large frame-mounted crossbow that hurled bolts of several feet length with heavy iron points. They were used in siege warfare and were capable of penetrating the walls of structures within castles and forts.
