Axehead

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This copper axehead was found at Glenelg in Inverness-shire. It is an early example of a metal axehead, made sometime between 2500 and 2100 BC.

The axehead has a wide butt. Axes of this shape are not common in Scotland. They were made primarily in Ireland and the Continent, but probably also in Scotland.

The first axeheads in Scotland were of copper. Later axes were made with of bronze - an alloy of around 90% copper and 10% tin.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-045-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 95
• Date: 2250 - 1900 BC
  Between 2250 and 1900 BC
  
• Material: Copper
  Axe, flat
  
• Dimensions: 4 x 2.19 x 0.34"
  
• What: Axe, flat
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Glenelg
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper axe head from Glenelg, Inverness-shire, 2250 - 1900 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. p 82. 
• Translations:
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