ITEM: Arrowhead with incised decoration MATERIAL: Bronze CULTURE: Elamite, Middle Period PERIOD: 1200 - 800 B.C DIMENSIONS: 104 mm x 19 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex English private collection, Ex London art market, acquired in 1990s The Elamite culture began in modern day Iran sometime around 2700 BC and continued through 640 BC and included several dynastic lines. There's no certainty about where the Elamites originated, but there are clues from other sources including the Judeo-Christian Bible which places the Elamites as a Semitic culture that sprung from a descendant of Shem (one of Noah's 3 sons) named Elam. The Elamites were mentioned in the Bible in Ezra and Acts and the Kingdom of Elam is mentioned in Genesis, Nehemiah, Ezra, Jeremiah, Daniel, and I Chronicles. Regardless of the provenance of the Elamites, they occupied a long period of history in the Middle East and especially Persia. During this period, the Elamites maintained power through a strict system of accession and inheritance which allowed power to stay focussed within the Elamite mainstream culture. Elamite culture was arranged as many cultures are; around trade and resources. It was a patriarchal (led by men) society, reflecting the vast majority of surrounding civilizations. The area of Iran occupied for millennia by the Elamite Empire was a known trade hot spot. Located along the Persian Gulf with access to major shipping routes across land and sea, Elam was a mainstay in getting numerous resources wherever they needed to go throughout the Middle East and Asia. As a result, the people of Elam benefited from the riches, artwork, and resources of many different cultures and places. Therefore, the Elamite culture was one of great cosmopolitan wealth. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license IMPORTANT: Stand not included. 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.