The oldest metals

The earliest known metal finds in Sweden come from the Early Neolithic period, around 4000–3300 BC. Most of these are copper items, including flat axes, knives, beads, and pins. As for bronze, the oldest examples are from the final phase of the Stone Age, the Late Neolithic, roughly 2300–1700 BC.

During this period, there is also a notable increase in the variety of metal artefacts, including flat axes, flanged axes, shaft-hole axes, daggers, swords, and spearheads. There is no evidence of local metalworking in Sweden until the very end of the Late Neolithic. An example can be seen in the so-called Pile hoard in the collections at the Swedish History Museum.

While most early metal objects have been found in the region of Skåne, it is worth noting that a few copper items discovered in northern Sweden are among the very oldest known. These objects reached Sweden via trade and exchange networks but were still exceedingly rare. Even so, they had a clear impact on local craftsmanship. Metal as a material quickly came to be imitated.

Imitations of metal in Stone Age axes

Initially, it was primarily in axes that metal was imitated. The fully polished surfaces of Neolithic stone axes have been interpreted as attempts to mimic metal tools, as has the flared cutting edge of the double-edged battle axe.

The Early Neolithic polygonal battle-axe, for example, has precedents in copper battle axes from Central Europe. The ridges and lines on the Middle Neolithic boat axes appear to emulate the casting seams found on metal axes. In the Late Neolithic, this pattern changes.

Shaft-hole axes, which had previously been among the clearest expressions of metal imitation, become markedly simpler in form. Instead, other types of objects, such as bone pins, begin to mimic the properties of metal.

The most iconic Late Neolithic object associated with metal as a concept is the flint dagger.

Flint daggers – a symbol of status and craftsmanship

The flint dagger reflects a strong desire to emulate metal objects, driving flint knapping techniques to new heights during the Late Neolithic. Producing these daggers required access to high-quality raw material as well as specialised craftsmanship.

Most flint daggers are made from high-grade Senonian flint, found in Denmark and southwestern Skåne, though daggers made from Danian and Kristianstad flint also occur. A few daggers made from materials other than flint have also been discovered. The daggers were manufactured using a bifacial technique.

Unlike their metal counterparts, used as stabbing weapons, flint daggers did not have equally sharp points. It has been suggested that the flint may have been heated during production to achieve a sharper tip, though this also made the material more brittle. From a practical standpoint, the daggers likely functioned best as cutting tools, for example in butchering.

Due to the level of specialisation required, scholars believe all flint daggers were produced in areas where good flint was readily available, namely Denmark and Skåne. However, they have been found across a much wider area. While most examples have been discovered in southern Sweden, they have also been found in Norrland in nothern Sweden.

In Sweden alone, over 4,000 flint daggers are registered, though the true number is likely far higher. These daggers appear to have been highly sought-after prestigious objects in their time. Most are stray finds. Where the archaeological context is known, they have primarily been found in graves, and more rarely at settlement sites or in hoards.

Flint dagger from Småland

One of the most magnificent flint daggers in the collections of the Swedish History Museum is a specimen from Hunna Kittegård in Skatelöv, near Växjö in Småland. It was purchased for the museum by the archaeologist Knut Kjellmark (1866–1944).

The dagger is said to have been found during ploughing in peaty soil near the shores of Lake Åsnen. Only one half was found at first; the other half was discovered the following year. The two pieces were later glued together. That it was found in wetland soil, and that its surface has been stained brown by the surrounding environment, suggests it was deliberately deposited in a bog as an offering.

At 36.5 centimetres, it is one of the largest flint daggers ever found in Sweden. Remarkably, the blade is only one centimetre thick.