From Rousay, Orkney
A mace was a ceremonial weapon. This stone macehead was found on Rousay in Orkney. It was a prestige item, used to display status.
A line has been incised near each end, and the area to the ends then smoothed to provide a contrast with the rest of the macehead. The macehead would originally have been mounted on a handle.
Stone maceheads were used as prestige items - symbols of power and, possibly, of rank - for several centuries. They were often made from attractive rocks, and rarely show signs of use.
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