Puzzles from the Past

View Original

Lanzón

Large spear head called a lanzón.

Location: Zorita de los canes — Spain

Origin: 15th century; found next to a cereal mill in the bakery.

Significance: This spear head is a unique example in the region from the 15th century. Curiously it was found next to a cereal mill and by an oven used to bake bread – a seemingly strange location to find such an item. In Zorita’s heyday, bread was extremely important from a taxation perspective. In the Laws of Zorita, bread was mandated to be baked at the castle as individuals were taxed on the volume of bread they baked.