Bronze Age swords appeared from around the 17th century BC, in the Black Sea and Aegean regions, as a further development of the dagger. They were replaced by iron swords during the early part of the 1st millennium BC.
Bronze Age swords from Central Europe, c. 17th century BC
18th-century BC khopesh, Shechem (Tell Balatah), West Bank; blade decorations with electrum inlays
Swords found together with the Nebra sky disk, c. 1600 BC. Typologically, these swords are of the "Sögel" type, but their shape and decoration shows influence of the "Hajdúsámson-Apa" type found in Hungary.
Typical "Naue II" type "Griffzungenschwert" indicated by No. 4
Swords made of iron appear from the Early Iron Age, but do not become widespread before the 8th century BC.
19th century illustration of Hallstatt swords
Celtiberian (Vettone) swords with antennas, National Archaeological Museum, Madrid