Bronze swords made from copper and tin aren't the most robust of weapons, which has led to some uncertainty about whether they were originally used for battle or just for show.
Now, a group of archaeologists has tried to settle the debate by quite literally coming to blows with each other.
Researchers commissioned the creation of seven middle to late Bronze Age swords using traditional methods, then tested them out with the help of local experts.
By analysing the marks and indents left on the weapons by the mock battles, and comparing them with a close-up study of 110 ancient Bronze Age swords found across Great Britain and Italy, the team was able to show that the patterns of wear did indeed match up with real combat techniques – indicating these weapons weren't just ceremonial items.
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