Hoard (part)

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These three axeheads (one broken), dagger blade, dagger or knife blade and bracelet, all of bronze, are part of a metalwork hoard found at Auchnacree Lodge at Fern in Angus. They were deposited with two other axeheads, one broken, and a similar bracelet.

Two of the flat axeheads are damaged, and one was deliberately broken across. The large dagger blade had a number of rivet holes or notches at the end where it had been attached to the hilt. The bracelet is made from a solid bronze rod, bent round and almost joining.

This hoard of valuable possessions had been buried in high ground overlooking Strathmore, and had probably been a votive deposit. Deliberate breakage was one way of ritually 'killing' objects, to dedicate them to the supernatural realm.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-053-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DQ 258
• Date: 2300 - 2000 BC
  2300 - 2000 BC
  2300 - 2000 BC
  Between 2300 and 2000 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Bronze
  Bronze; cutting half only
  Bronze; the ends of the ring not closed
  Bronze; thin flat blade, straight edges, rounded point; showing rivet holes
  Bronze; thin flat pointed blade; five rivet holes in butt
  Armlet
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat / portion
  Dagger
  Dagger
  
• Dimensions: 2.75 x 3.13 x 0.44"
  5.38 x 2.91 x 0.41"
  5.75 x 3.19 x 0.41"
  
• What: Armlet
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat / portion
  Dagger
  Dagger
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
  Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
  Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
  Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
  Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
  Scotland, Angus, Fern, Auchnacree
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flat dagger from a hoard found at Auchnacree, Angus
  Bronze flat dagger from a hoard found at Auchnacree, Angus
  Bronze bar armlet from a hoard found at Auchnacree, Angus
  Bronze flat axe from Auchnacree, Fern, Angus, 2300 - 2000 BC
  Bronze flat axe from Auchnacree, Fern, Angus, 2300 - 2000 BC
  Portion of a bronze flat axe from Auchnacree, Fern, Angus, 2300 - 2000 BC
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 103, 106, 178, 300. 
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 65, 103. 
• Translations:
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