War, according to today’s popular imagination, is a universal human characteristic which has always been a part of our culture and the way in which we deal with different cultures. Unfortunately, the reality of the archaeological record does not agree with the popular imagination. War seems to be a spinoff of farming and urbanization. With the development of metal tools, especially those made from bronze and iron, special warfare tools, most notably the sword, were developed. Many museums feature displays of swords, knives, and other sharp things. Portions of some of these displays are shown below.
The Great Hall, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle was commissioned by King James IV and completed in 1512. It was an awe-inspiring stage for state banquets and ceremonies. It was designed to show the King as a man of power and good taste. It was a place for high politics, international diplomacy and feasting.
The walls of this great hall are covered with swords, armour, and other weapons. According to one sign:
“Almost 400 years of warfare produced the weapons and armour displayed around the Great Hall.”
“The Great Hall has been decorated with suits or armour, swords, guns and polearms since the 1880s. most were obsolete British Army service weapons but some were trophies from foreign wars.”
“Much of the armour was captured during the English siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France, in 1627.”
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland
Orkney Museum, Kirkwall, Scotland
Dublinia, Dublin, Ireland
The weapons buried with Viking warriors, shown above, provide archaeologists with some insights into Viking life. The swords, usually single-handled and double-edged, appear to have been the favorite weapon of the Viking warrior. Old swords were considered superior as they had been “blood-hardened.”
Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon
One of the special exhibits in the Portland Art Museum featured a display of Samurai weapons.
Veterans Memorial Museum, Chehalis, Washington
Stonehenge Air Museum, Fortine, Montana
Presby House Museum, Goldendale, Washington
Miracle of America Museum, Polson, Montana
Museums 201
Museums 201 provides a photo tour of similar displays from several museums. More from this series:
Museums 201: Ancient Beds (photo diary)
Museums 201: Sewing machines (photo diary)
Museums 201: Model railroad dioramas (photo diary)
Museums 201: Wood-fired kitchen ranges (photo diary)
Museums 201: Gas stations and garages (photo diary)
Museums 201: Carriages and Wagons (photo diary)
Museums 201: The blacksmith shop (photo diary)
Museums 201: Antique farming equipment (photo diary)