from Benachie, Aberdeenshire
Add to albumThis bronze axehead was found at Benachie in Aberdeenshire. It dates from between 950 and 750 BC.
The socketed axehead is a form often termed a bag-shaped axe, characterised by a short body and wide blade. The oval-shaped socket is surrounded by two mouldings. A wooden handle would have fitted into the axehead's socket. A thong could also have attached the axehead to the socket through the loop.
Socketed axeheads appear to have been invented on the Continent. They are part of a range of socketed tools and swords made by smiths requiring more complex casting techniques.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-190-004-756-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland X.DE 92
- Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
- Material: Bronze
Axe, socketed
- Dimensions: 3.38" L x 2.25"
- What: Axe, socketed
- Subject:
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Benachie
- Event:
- Description: Bronze socketed axe, the socket oval shaped inside and vesica shaped outside and surrounded by two mouldings, from Benachie, Aberdeenshire
- References:
- Coles, John M. Scottish late Bronze Age metalwork: typology, distributions and chronology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 93 (1959-1960), pp 16-134, esp. p 66.
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