A new analysis of a medieval ceramic vessel excavated from the Old City of Jerusalem suggests the Crusader knights could have developed rudimentary hand grenades in their wars against the Muslim rulers of the Holy Land.
Four sphero-conical containers were examined by Archeologists from the Griffith University.
There was evidence of use for holding oils, scented materials, and medicine.
Archeologists found deposits suggesting that ceramic jars may have been used as bombs.
The remnants of the flammable chemical ingredients needed for an archaic bomb were found in Sherd 737.
A study published in the scientific journal PLOS One states that the remnants are consistent with what would be required to build a medieval hand grenade.
Researchers assumed that medieval grenades contained gunpowder. The Middle East did not see gunpowder until the 13th century.
The Crusades were a series of wars led by European Christians to conquer Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslim rulers. The vessels are thought to be from the 11th or 12th century.
According to the archeologists, Sherd 737 contained traces of a unique mix of plant oils, animal fats, nitrates, and sulfur. It suggests that Crusader knights created their own blend of chemicals.
It shows that the explosives described by the Crusaders were a local invention, according to an email from an archaeologist.
This shows for the first time a whole different mixture for the ingredients of an ancient explosive which is consistent with the historical Arab texts.
He said that the studyadvances our understanding of medieval weapons in the Middle East at this time and that it proves the accounts of the Crusaders.
The use of handheld devices that exploded with loud bangs and flashes of light was mentioned in Crusader knights and Arab texts.
More research on similar vessels will be needed to understand the ancient technology used during the medieval period.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
