Bronze sword

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This bronze sword was found on Skye. The sword is broken in two, probably as part of a ritual before the sword was buried, sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The sword has a long blade for slashing. There are rivet holes on the grip and shoulders to secure an organic handle.

Technological advances in bronze casting in the late Bronze Age resulted in new and better weapons. Long slashing swords became popular in the early 1st millennium BC. They could be used on foot or from horseback, and were prestigious weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-404-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DL 36
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; leaf-shaped; pommel end imperfect; rivet hole in each wing and two in hilt plate
  Sword
  
• Dimensions: 26.00" L
  
• What: Sword
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Skye
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze leaf-shaped sword from Skye
  
• 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. pp 29-30, 84. 
• Translations:
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