Extremely interesting topic! I'd like to know more about these amulets, and hear from those of you who are field specific in these weapon forms from these ethnographic regions. From what I gather here, they were separate from the weapons, but worn along with them.
Dan's posts brought in the clear suggestion of the similarity to Celtic artistic style, and it does seem that such amuletic devices were often applied to thier sword hilts.
Obviously not suggesting Celtic presence in these regions, but noting the similarity only in accord with those suggestions. We have seen in so many cases how artistic themes and symbology have diffused over vast distances and across many cultures through time. It would be interesting to know what those with expertise in these weapons think.
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