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Sometimes the handles were fastened to the swords by means of rivets;
and, at other times, the handle was plaited with wood or bone. They are
of different lengths, intermediate between the sword and the dagger. It
is doubtful whether they made use of shields.

Bronze shields are, indeed, found; but, from the ornaments and other
circumstances they are generally considered to belong to the Iron Age:
for we shall subsequently learn that the introduction of iron did not
prevent the continued use of bronze. The bow was well known; and this
must have necessitated the use of arrows. Some bronze arrows have been
found; but a flint arrow is nearly as serviceable as bronze, and much
cheaper, so we may be sure they were more common. They also employed
spears and javelins, and the bronze heads of these weapons are found in
various places. The invading Celt found many camps and fortified places
already in existence, and continued them in use after the original
occupant had been driven away.

Illustration of Mold.---------------

As we have spent some time in learning the different objects
manufactured out of bronze, it may be of interest to learn somewhat of
their methods of working bronze. We have already stated how the amateur
worker in bronze would follow on after the trader--and so the objects
of bronze would be made in all the countries of Europe. Molds have been
found in various places. This is a mold for casting the axes having a
socket in which to put the handle. It was found in the cave at Heathbury
Burn, already mentioned. None of the bronze objects were forged out, as
a smith forges out objects of iron--they were cast. In the absence
of steel, it would be almost impossible to cut bronze; hence it was
necessary to make the casting as nearly perfect as possible. Sometimes
the molds were cut out of stone, as in the figure just given. The molds
themselves were, in this case, difficult to make; besides, they could
scarcely be made so perfect as not to leave a little ridge, where the
two halves of the mold came together, which, as just explained, owing to
the absence of steel, it would be very difficult to remove. In process
of time they discovered an easier way of making the molds, that employed
at the present day--that is, by the use of sand. The ridge would still
remain, and is to be plainly seen on specimens of ancient bronze.

To overcome the difficulty just mentioned, they invented a third meth