Roman Siege of Jerusalem Bronze Socketed Arrowhead 3.3cm c. 66-70 AD COA For Sale

Ancient Roman Imperial / First Jewish Revolt Cast Bronze Broad Trilobate Socketed Siege Arrowhead — Siege of Jerusalem Era (33mm — c. 66–70 AD)

Authenticity & Guarantee

• Certification: Certified Authentic — includes signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) with full provenance documentation.

• Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales; Roman Judaea / Siege of Jerusalem Sphere.

Item Specifications & Exact Dimensions

• Object: Cast Bronze Broad Trilobate Socketed Arrowhead / Siege Projectile Point

• Culture / Period: First Jewish-Roman War (Siege of Jerusalem / Legio X Fretensis & Jewish Defenders)

• Date Range: Circa 66 AD – 70 AD (c. 66 – 70 AD)

• Exact Dimensions: 33 mm length (3.3 cm) × 12 mm maximum blade width

• Material: Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)

• Form & Architecture: Broad leaf-shaped three-vaned (trilobate) aerodynamic profile featuring raised central median vanes tapering to an acute piercing tip; engineered with a hollow circular socket base for rapid, secure hafting onto wooden or reed arrow shafts

• Condition: Exceptional, 100% complete ancient condition. Intact acute point, complete socket aperture, robust three-blade symmetry, preserved under an authentic thick white to desert-sand calcareous burial encrustation over a solid bronze core. Free of modern restoration or tooling.

The Siege of Jerusalem (70 AD)

During the catastrophic Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, four Roman legions under the future emperor Titus—led by Legio X Fretensis, Legio V Macedonica, Legio XV Apollinaris, and Legio XII Fulminata—assaulted the heavily fortified holy city. Over four months of intense urban and breach warfare, millions of projectiles were unleashed across the Second and Third Walls. Broad socketed trilobate arrowheads of this 33mm specification formed the primary missile supply for Syrian and Ituraean auxiliary bowmen embedded with the Roman legions, as well as the defending Jewish forces who recovered and repurposed fallen ordnance.

Broad Leaf Trilobate Mechanics

Unlike narrower armor-piercing bodkin tips, the 33mm broad-bladed trilobate design combined maximum cutting edge surface with flight stability. The three prominent vanes stabilized the heavy projectile across medium-to-long ranges, inflicting severe lacerations upon impact. The hollow socket construction allowed bowyers to quickly mount the metal head onto reed shafts, held fast with animal pitch or sinew wrapping.

Typological Analysis & Exact Classification

• Primary Class: Roman Imperial & Judaean Military Equipment / Siege Arrowhead

• Sub-Class: Broad Leaf-Shaped Socketed Three-Vaned (Trilobate) Class

• Manufacturing Technique: High-density two-piece mold cast bronze with cold-sharpened vane edges and reamed socket core.

Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers

• Israel Museum, Jerusalem: First Jewish Revolt socketed trilobate bronze arrowheads recovered directly from the Jerusalem Citadel and City of David destruction strata.

• British Museum (Accession No. 1880,0325.48): Roman provincial bronze socketed trilobate arrowhead from Judaean battlefield excavations.

• Rockefeller Archaeological Museum (Jerusalem): Siege of Jerusalem Roman and Jewish defender bronze projectile