Spearhead of bronze

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This bronze spearhead was found in a cairn at Highfield near Dingwall in Ross and Cromarty, in a hoard with two spearheads and four axeheads. It was a prestige item as well as a practical weapon.

The spearhead has a leaf-shaped blade and is incomplete. It is a normal-sized spearhead, designed for use mainly as a thrusting weapon, though it could also have been thrown.

Spears, together with swords and shields, were an important part of the Late Bronze Age aristocratic warrior's gear.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-522-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DQ 87
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  Late Bronze Age
  
• Material: Bronze; imperfect
  Spearhead
  
• Dimensions: 7.50" L
  
• What: Spearhead
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Dingwall, Highfield
  
• Event:
• Description: Late Bronze Age spearhead from a cairn at Highfield, near Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty
  
• 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 128-9. 
• Translations:
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