Spearhead and sword (piece)

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This iron spearhead and piece of a sword were found at Lamba Ness on Sanday in Orkney, together with an axe and perhaps a shield. They probably formed part of the grave goods of a Scandinavian man, who was buried between 900 and 1000.

The spearhead is badly corroded, but had a relatively long socket and broad blade. It is a light throwing spear, possibly made in the British Isles. The double-edged sword is even more poorly preserved, with only the guard and a bit of the blade surviving.

Viking men were often buried with their weapons, together with a range of objects to accompany them after death. This man appears to have a full weapon 'kit' of sword, spear, axe and shield, lacking only the armour and helmet of the most wealthy.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-099-673-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: Kiloran Bay Viking Burial (multimedia essay)
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 180
• Date: Between 900 and 1000
  
• Material: Iron
  Spearhead / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Spearhead / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Sanday, Lamaness
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of iron spearhead from Lamaness, Sanday
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, pp 56-7. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 88. 
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