Halberd

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Bronze Age halberds were dagger-like objects mounted at right angles to the haft. They were prestigious weapons which functioned as symbols of power. This copper halberd was found at Sluie in Moray together with two tinned axeheads. The hoard was buried between 2250 and 1950 BC.

The broad blade has a rounded midrib and broken tip. There are four rivet holes, one now broken, at the curved butt where it attached to the haft.

Copper was used for early metal objects, but was later replaced by bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, which was harder. The use of copper for this halberd, when bronze was clearly available and used for the accompanying axeheads, suggests a deliberate harking back to older traditions.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-365-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
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• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DJ 4
• Date: Between 2250 and 1950 BC
  
• Material: Copper; broad; with four rivet holes
  
• Dimensions: 11.00" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Moray, Sluie
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper halberd from a hoard found at Sluie, Moray
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 106, 180-1, 303-4. 
  • 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. 
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