It is more than possible that there was is a caste system at work with the taboo on touching iron, I think we all know that. Take the all metal spears, I am lucky to have two examples. They often have another material around the haft as a grip usually brass or leather. I have one which is rather fine with brass sheet wrap as a grip. The other spear of lesser quality has no grip material, there is no sign that even a leather one had been there. So the more ardent attempt to follow any taboo may have only applied to the higher caste. The lower caste being nearly or in fact slaves as I believe is still the case today in some of the more inaccessible region of the Sahara.
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