from Auchnacree Lodge, Fern, Angus

Hoard (part)

These three axeheads (one broken), dagger blade, dagger or knife blade and bracelet, all of bronze, are part of a metalwork hoard found at Auchnacree Lodge at Fern in Angus. They were deposited with two other axeheads, one broken, and a similar bracelet.

Two of the flat axeheads are damaged, and one was deliberately broken across. The large dagger blade had a number of rivet holes or notches at the end where it had been attached to the hilt. The bracelet is made from a solid bronze rod, bent round and almost joining.

This hoard of valuable possessions had been buried in high ground overlooking Strathmore, and had probably been a votive deposit. Deliberate breakage was one way of ritually 'killing' objects, to dedicate them to the supernatural realm.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-004-053-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.DQ 258
Date:	2300 - 2000 BC 2300 - 2000 BC 2300 - 2000 BC Between 2300 and 2000 BC
Material:	Bronze Bronze Bronze; cutting half only Bronze; the ends of the ring not closed Bronze; thin flat blade, straight edges, rounded point; showing rivet holes Bronze; thin flat pointed blade; five rivet holes in butt
Dimensions:	2.75 x 3.13 x 0.44" 5.38 x 2.91 x 0.41" 5.75 x 3.19 x 0.41"
What:	Armlet Axe, flat Axe, flat Axe, flat / portion Dagger Dagger
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
Event:
Description:	Bronze flat dagger from a hoard found at Auchnacree, Angus Bronze flat dagger from a hoard found at Auchnacree, Angus Bronze bar armlet from a hoard found at Auchnacree, Angus Bronze flat axe from Auchnacree, Fern, Angus, 2300 - 2000 BC Bronze flat axe from Auchnacree, Fern, Angus, 2300 - 2000 BC Portion of a bronze flat axe from Auchnacree, Fern, Angus, 2300 - 2000 BC
References:	Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 103, 106, 178, 300. Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 65, 103.
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