Non-destructive compositional and microstructural characterization of Sardinian Bronze Age swords through Neutron Diffraction

The swords were produced through fusion inside a casting mould. Such kind of casting mould has not been found in Sardinia, and this may suggests that finished objects were either imported or made using clay or sand casting mould. Moreover, the discovery of these types of sword, in hoards and in votive deposits, raises the problem of their functional use. It is unknown if the blades were intended to be used as weapons, and therefore subjected to cold working necessary for thinning and sharpening of the blade, or as ceremonial objects. In order to answer to these questions, a neutron diffraction experiment was performed on three swords belonging to the Monte Sa Idda type. The results obtained are presented and discussed in the paper.