Luristan bronze comes from the province of Lorestan, a region situated in the Zagros Mountains. In ancient times a number of nomadic populations, such as the Medes, the Kassites and eventually the Persians, settled in the area. Due to the nomadic nature of the tribes, none of the Luristan bronzes were of great size, since it was required for them to be light and portable. Much bronze weaponry was found in the region, acting as a testament to the sheer amount of fighting that occurred in the ancient world, as is also reflected by the number of times rule over Lorestan changed hands. There is evidence to suggest that bronze was used for purely decorative purposes for example ornamnets and vessels but this seems rare. Cast spike-butted axes are hallmarks of Luristan bronze weaponry during the First Iron Age Period, between 1200 and 1000 BC. Most of Luristan bronze items have been recovered in funerary contexts.
To discover more about the Luristan Empire, please visit our relevant blog post: The Luristan Empire: The Beauty of Bronze.
