Parts from several polearms, including bills, pikes, and a halberd, have
been excavated. The recovered halberd (a polearm with sharp cutting
edges and a spearlike point) is typical of the late 16th century, and
may have been made as early as 1575. A few bills were unearthed, all
dating around 1600. (A bill is a polearm, having a long staff
terminating in a hook-shaped blade, usually with spikes at the back and
top.) Two pike butts were also unearthed.
[Illustration: TWO EARLY 17TH-CENTURY POLEARMS--A BILL AND
HALBERD--UNEARTHED AT JAMESTOWN. BOTH WEAPONS HAD LONG WOODEN HANDLES.]
[Illustration: THE CALTROP UNEARTHED AT JAMESTOWN. THIS SHARP-POINTED
INSTRUMENT WAS THROWN ON THE GROUND TO IMPEDE AN ENEMY'S INFANTRY AND
CAVALRY.]