ITEM: Trifoil arrowhead MATERIAL: Iron CULTURE: Roman PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 65 mm x 11 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex Museum Exhibiton of the Arbeitsgruppe für Biblische Archäologie, Germany (Deaccession) The Roman trifoil arrowhead, often referred to by its more technical term, trilobate or three-vaned arrowhead, was a prominent and highly effective military projectile point used by Roman archers (sagittarii), particularly those in auxiliary units recruited from provinces with strong archery traditions, like the Middle East and Danubian regions. Characterized by its distinctive cross-section, which features three protruding blades or wings joined at a central point, the trifoil design was primarily engineered for superior armor penetration. This shape, which created three sharp cutting edges, minimized friction and increased the concentration of force upon impact, making it ideal for puncturing segmented armor, chainmail, or thick leather—a tactical necessity against well-protected enemy forces. Archaeological finds from Roman sites, especially military camps, forts, and battlegrounds across the Empire, have yielded numerous examples of these arrowheads, confirming their widespread use during the Imperial period, roughly from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD. While the earliest trilobate forms were often made of bronze and had a hollow socket for attachment to the arrow shaft, the predominant Roman military version was crafted from iron and typically featured a tang. The tang was a long spike extending from the base of the head that was inserted directly into the arrow shaft, a construction method that was quicker, simpler, and equally effective for mass production in a wartime setting. The design of the Roman trifoil arrowhead was not an indigenous Roman invention but was largely inherited and adapted from earlier "Scythian-type" and Hellenistic bronze forms common in the Near East. Over time, Roman blacksmiths refined and standardized the trilobate shape, but variation still existed. Later in the Imperial and Byzantine periods, a four-vaned or quadruple-vaned design began to appear, potentially because it was easier and quicker for Roman smiths to forge using standardized jigs compared to the three-vaned design, which required more intricate individual hammering. Regardless of the slight variations, the trifoil arrowhead stood as a testament to the specialized missile capabilities of the Roman military, designed to inflict maximum damage and defeat enemy defenses. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license If you bid outside the European Union and win the item, we will have to apply for an export licence for your country and shipping will take 3 to 5 weeks.