Ancient hand grenades: Explosive weapons in medieval Jerusalem during Crusades

The ancient ceramic vessels from Jerusalem may have been used as hand grenades.

Beer drinking vessels, mercury containers, containers for oil and containers for medicines are some of the uses of the diverse sphero-conical containers.

Some vessels contained oils and medicines, and some contained scented oils, according to the latest research led by the Associate Professor.

He found that some of the vessels may have been used as ancient hand grenades.

The material he analyzed within the vessels suggested that there may have been a locally developed ancient bomb.

He said that the research showed the diverse use of these unique ceramic vessels which include ancient explosives.

During the time of the Crusades, these vessels were reported as grenades thrown against Crusader strongholds producing loud noises and bright flashes of light.

Some researchers had proposed that the vessels were used as grenades and held black powder, which was introduced into the Middle East and Europe by the 13th century. Black powder may have been introduced to the Middle East as early as the ninth to 11th century.

This research has shown that it is not black powder and that it is a local invention.

The research showed that some of the vessels had been sealed.

He said that more research on these vessels and their explosive content will allow us to understand the history of explosives in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The study on the composition of trace Residues from the contents of Jerusalem has been published.

More information: Carney D. Matheson et al, Composition of trace residues from the contents of 11th–12th century sphero-conical vessels from Jerusalem, PLOS ONE (2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267350 Journal information: PLoS ONE Citation: Ancient hand grenades: Explosive weapons in medieval Jerusalem during Crusades (2022, April 26) retrieved 26 April 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-04-ancient-grenades-explosive-weapons-medieval.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.