Dating of a Iron Spear Head

[Istinpolin]

Dear Friends,

I have had this spear head for over 25 years and I have never been able to date it. It was unearthed in Turkey close to Ankara.
It is 420 mm long and it weighs ca 1100 g.
Could this be a Sarissa spear head of pre 300 BC?

I hope someone could shed some light into this, I research coins a lot more, antiquities is not my strength.

Thank you in advance
Burak

[SC]

Spearheads, like arrow-heads, are very difficult to date.  The problem is that there are very few good references.

Knowing where they're from is good. 

To me, your item looks very well made and my first guess would be Ottoman.  But that is just a guess.  Looking at Turkish museum collections would probably be the only way to be sure.

Let us know what you find.

SC

[SC]

Here is a picture (from phone, through glass) of Roman spearheads excavated in London, Museum of London display.

SC

[SC]

Roman spearheads and butts excavated at the town of Ovilava, modern Wels, Austria.  Ovilava/Wels Roman Museum.

SC

[Istinpolin]

Thanks for all the help so far.
I have seen several Ottoman spear heads, and most of them are decorated with ornamental designs and are much smaller. I know where this has been dug out and have seen the other items it was found with. It is certainly Greek. The reason it looks well done, is because the condition of this spear head is exceptional. There were others that did not look like this at all in terms of grade.

The reason I am saying it may be a Sarissa spear head is because of its size and the images below. The size and weight are within the vicinity.

Burak

[SC]

Those sarissa spears have a middle rib, which is common in bronze age and iron age spears.  Yours does not have a middle rib but is instead diamond-shaped in cross-section.

SC

[SC]

From the reading I have been doing your spear blade type appears to match early Medieval Balkan types.

SC