VIKING SOCKETED ARROWHEAD, C.866-1067 AD

Over 3 3/8” length with butted seam conical socket and tapered point of flesh cutting form and section. The point is low ridged both sides, intended for attacking victims unprotected by the padded jerkins and leather of the period, and thus, for coastal raiding. Vikings raided coastal Mediterranean settlements capturing women and children who were sold into slavery in North Africa or returned with them to Scandinavia where they served their Viking masters. Socket with burial encrustation inside and edge and seam with losses.