Hamburg and Archaeology: Flint Dagger

This dagger came to light during railroad construction 140 years ago. Flint daggers were used as weapons, as well as tools, at the end of the Neolithic period, the hilt was wrapped in leather or bast to allow better handling. Especially carefully crafted pieces, however, often show no signs of use, which indicates their sole function as status symbols. The production of such a magnificent flint dagger is considered a superb feat of Stone Age flint knapping technology.