Sword (fragments)

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These fragments of an iron sword were found in a Norse grave at Machrins on Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides. The other grave goods indicate that a wealthy man was buried there, perhaps in a boat, between 850 and 950.

The form of the sword is Anglo-Saxon, but swords of this shape were also made in Norway. The blade is badly rusted, but wood adhering in some places shows that it had a wooden scabbard.

Viking men were often buried with their weapons, together with a range of objects to accompany them after death. A full weapon 'kit' consisted of sword, spear, axe, shield, armour and helmet, but most men were buried with only some of these.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-099-757-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: Kiloran Bay Viking Burial (multimedia essay)
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• Ref: National Museums Scotland  
• Date: Between 850 and 950
  
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• References:
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 46. 
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