Axehead (front)

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This bronze axehead was found at Dams at Balbirnie in Fife. It dates from around 1750 to 1450 BC.

The flanged axehead has parallel sides extending from a squared butt until near the end, where the sides are sharply splayed to give a broad blade. It is decorated on the faces and sides. There is a stop-ridge which prevented the haft from slipping down the tool.

Axeheads of this form are some of the earliest examples of cast flanged axeheads in Scotland. The deep flanges helped stop the axehead from slipping sideways in the haft.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-275-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 32
• Date: 1750 - 1450 BC
  Between 1750 and 1450 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; with stop ridge; sides ornamented with parallel depressed lines meeting obliquely on the central ridge
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 4.75" L
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Balbirnie, Dams
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flanged axe with sides ornamented with parallel depressed lines meeting obliquely on the central ridge, from Dams, Balbirnie, Fife, 1750 - 1450 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 26-9, 82. 
• Translations:
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