A recent discovery has shaken up the archaeological world, revealing that a cache of 3,000-year-old Iranian swords seized at Heathrow Airport are in fact modern fakes. These swords were thought to be authentic relics from the Iron Age, highly sought after by collectors and museums for their historical significance. The revelation came after a scanning technique called neutron tomography was used to examine the swords, uncovering that they were created by assembling different parts of ancient swords using glue.
The Iranian swords, widely acquired by museums and collectors since the 1920s, have been a popular item for display and research. However, this new finding raises questions about the authenticity of similar swords held in various institutions. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, highlights the alarming presence of these false “pastiches” in the market, potentially misleading buyers and hindering research efforts.
The analysis conducted on the seized swords at the British Museum, with permission from Iranian authorities, revealed the extent of tampering involved in creating these forgeries. From evidence of glue, lead solder, to drill holes used to connect different parts, the swords were meticulously crafted to deceive unsuspecting buyers. The presence of a modern drill bit within one of the swords further solidified the evidence of foul play.
While some of the swords initially contained a mix of iron and bronze components, indicating a transition from the Bronze to Iron Ages, the tampering has blurred the lines of authenticity. Dr. Alex Rodzinka, the lead author of the study, warned that these illicit modifications complicate the understanding of ancient metallurgical practices in Iran, which have significant historical value.
Dr. Erb-Satullo, another researcher involved in the study, emphasised the detrimental impact of such forgeries on our understanding of history, stating that looting and selling fake artefacts only serve to damage our knowledge of the past. The case of these Iranian swords sheds light on the prevalence of illicit activities in the antiquities market and underscores the importance of rigorous authentication processes for ancient artefacts.