Sword (detail)

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This is a detail of an iron sword with a bronze grip binding found in many pieces near the Knowe of Swandro on Rousay in Orkney. It probably is from a Viking grave. The sword was a particularly fine object, although it is in poor condition now.

This detail shows the hilt and part of the upper blade. Originally the sword had silver and bronze inlay on the hilt, but this is preserved separately now. The grip binding is unusual, and was perhaps originally gilt.

Viking men were often buried with their weapons, together with a range of objects to accompany them after death. Swords were highly valued items, even plain ones. Some were elaborately decorated. They were used as slashing weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-000-099-765-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 191
• Date: Between 850 and 950
  
• Material: Iron
  Sword
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Sword
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Rousay, Sweindrow
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron sword with silver inlay on hilt, from Sweindrow, Rousay, Orkney
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 56. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, pp 88-90. 
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