from West Calder, Midlothian
![Postcard of Axe-hammer.](/database/media.php?file=postcard/image/0098/00982439.jpg&PHPSESSID=ssri2ejh39ajo8db614j5ov932) 000-190-004-790-C © National Museums Scotland |
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Axe-hammer
This stone axe-hammer was found at West Calder in Midlothian. Axe-hammers are heavy-duty tools, ranging in length from 150 to 350 mm. They have shaftholes for a wooden handle. They could have been used as massive wedges, and they probably date to between 2100 and 1400 BC.
This axe-hammer was damaged in antiquity. The tip of the blade and part of the body are missing. There is also batter damage to the butt, showing that the axe-hammer had been used.
The function of axe-hammers has been debated. Traces of use suggest that the butt end was struck and the blade end pushed through a resistant material. The narrow handle would have been too weak to act like an axe handle, so may have been for steadying the tool in position. Use as a heavy-duty wedge seems the most likely. There are unexplained concentrations of axe-hammers in south-west Scotland and north-west England.
Record details
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Online ID: |
000-190-004-790-C |
Image Rights Holder: |
National Museums Scotland |
Project: |
0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project |
Ref: |
National Museums Scotland X.AH 59 |
Date: |
Between 2100 and 1400 BC
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Material: |
Whinstone
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Dimensions: |
9.25" x 4.25" x 3.38"
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What: |
Hammer
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Subject: |
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Who: |
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Where: |
Scotland, Midlothian, West Calder
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Event: |
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Description: |
Wedge-shaped hammer of whinstone, from West Calder, Midlothian
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References: |
- Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies, Volume 2. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 67), 1988.
- Fenton, M.B. The petrological identification of stone battle axes and axe-hammers from Scotland. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 67), 1988, pp 92-132.
- Roe, F.E.S. Typology of stone implements with shaftholes. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 23), 1979, pp 23-48.
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