Spearhead

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This iron spearhead was found in a mound at Lyking in Orkney with an iron buckle and bone comb. They are from a Scandinavian burial, but were found with burnt bones, suggesting a cremation rather than the more normal inhumation burial.

The spearhead is in poor condition. Its upper end and tip are missing, while the socket is damaged. The blade has a slight ridge.

Spears found in Viking graves range from plain examples, as in this case, to objects with richly decorated sockets. As is the case with axes and arrowheads, it is often difficult to determine whether they were intended as weapons.

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-748-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 211
• Date: Between 900 and 1000
  
• Material: Iron; imperfect
  
• Dimensions: 2.25" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney
  
• Event:
• Description: Spearhead
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, pp 59, 144, 150. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 80. 
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