Sword

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This bronze sword is one of two found at Rigg on Skye. It was a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The leaf-shaped blade has a high, convex rib along the centre of the blade on each side. There is an oblong slot in each wing and two in the hilt plate, for securing a 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: 000-100-034-405-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DL 37
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  Late Bronze Age
  
• Material: Bronze; leaf-shaped; with high convex rib along centre of blade on each side; oblong slot in each wing and two in hilt plate
  
• Dimensions: 28.75" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Skye, Rigg
  
• Event:
• Description: Late Bronze Age leaf-shaped sword from Rigg, 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. 84, 112. 
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