Dagger with horn handle

This object is an extremely old example of a dagger, dating from 500 BC, during the early reign of the Achaemenid Empire.  The dagger's handle is composed of horn and has a small crossguard with line etchings on its join to the grip. Its blade has three grooves running down its centre, with a sharp point at the end of the blade. Daggers such as this object have been used for close-combat confrontations, with its sharp point and edges suited to thrusting and stabbing, rather than cutting. Daggers have also been used for ceremonial purposes throughout history.