The Fröslunda shields: Cymbals or symbols?

Abstract

Shields of Herzsprung type excavated at Fröslunda were too thin for practical armour, and examination of their microstructure showed tin contents too low for cymbals. Copper sulphide inclusions were consistent with the Late Bronze Age date, and their dimensions suggested that the shields had first been cast as 15 cm blanks before being forged to shape.