Battle axehead

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This place where this stone battle axehead was found is not known. Although unusual in shape, it probably dates from between 2000 and 1700 BC. Although battle axes could have been used as weapons, like recent Native American clubs, they were principally symbols of power, indicating high status.

This is a squat battle axehead, with a broad squared-off butt, a thick blade and a large shafthole towards the butt end. The sides swell out around the shafthole, then narrow towards the butt. The stone head would have been fixed onto the top of an organic handle by means of its shafthole.

Battle axes were adapted from Continental Europe around the time when metallurgy was introduced to Scotland. They were originally mounted on handles. Although they could have functioned as weapons, their main purpose was to be symbols of power.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-784-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 47
• Date: Between 2000 and 1700 BC
  
• Material: Stone
  Hammer
  
• Dimensions: 4.00" x 2.25" x 1.75"
  
• What: Hammer
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Unknown
  
• Event:
• Description: Hammer of stone, locality unknown
  
• References:
  • Roe, F.E.S. The Battle-Axe series in Britain. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 32 (1966), 199-245. 
  • 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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