Add to albumThese pieces of a clay mould were found at Jarlshof in Shetland. They probably belong to the same mould, used to make a sword sometime between 950 and 750 BC.
Pieces survive for the hilt, middle and tip of the blade. The two raised bosses on the hilt would have produced rivet holes. The two halves (or valves) of the mould would have been secured together and molten metal poured into the channel at the top.
Excavations at Jarlshof have revealed evidence of bronze-working. A smith, trained in the Irish tradition of bronze-working, built a large hearth in the centre of a house and set up a workshop. Finds include awls, chisels, clay moulds, crucibles and slag.
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- Online ID: 000-100-043-063-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland X.HSA 3927 D
- Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
- Material: Hilt having two bosses for rivet holes; lower edge having three remaining bosses fitting the upper edge of the adjacent piece
Piece from lower down blade
Tip of blade
Mould / portion
Mould / portion
Mould / portion
- Dimensions: 3.60" L
- What: Mould / portion
Mould / portion
Mould / portion
- Subject:
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
- Event:
- Description: Piece of a sword mould from Jarlshof
Piece of a sword mould from Jarlshof
Piece of a sword mould from Jarlshof
- References:
- Turner, Val. Ancient Shetland. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd, 1998, pp 59-60.
- Translations:
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