Dagger or halberd blade

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Bronze Age halberds were dagger-like objects mounted at right angles to the haft. This bronze blade for a dagger or a halberd was found at Portmoak Moss at Lochleven in Kinross-shire. It dates from around 2300 to 2000 BC.

The broad blade has five rivet holes where it attached to the haft. It is in poor condition.

Early Bronze Age daggers and spears could have been used both in warfare and for hunting. Halberds, however, were the first metal objects specifically designed to be weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-188-272-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DJ 2
• Date: Between 2300 and 2000 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Dagger, blade / halberd
  
• Dimensions: 11" L
  
• What: Dagger, blade / halberd
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Kinross-shire, Portmoak, Portmoak Moss
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze halberd from Portmoak Moss, Kinross-shire
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 35-40, 87. 
• Translations:
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