Miniature axeheads

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These miniature axeheads, one of stone and the other two of bronze, were found at Hawick in Roxburghshire, at Blairbury in Wigtownshire and at Muirfield at Gullane in East Lothian. They were probably used as amulets.

Miniature polished stone axe head, from Hawick, Roxburghshire

Axeheads were symbols of power and prestige for a long period, probably with religious significance as well. They were sometimes used as offerings to the gods. Miniature examples were probably amulets, and remained popular for thousands of years.

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• Online ID: 000-100-032-872-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 126
• Date: Dates of axeheads, left to right: between 4000 and 1500 BC, between 950 and 750 BC, between 200 BC and 100 AD
  
• Material: Bronze
  Bronze; loop; moulding outside socket of two raised lines
  Greenstone; wedge-shaped; polished
  Axe
  Axe, socketed
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 1.94" x 1.25"
  2.00" x 0.88" x 0.50"
  2.50" L x 1.60"; 0.40" D (socket)
  
• What: Axe
  Axe, socketed
  Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Gullane, Muirfield
  Scotland, Roxburghshire, Hawick
  Scotland, Wigtownshire, Blairbury
  
• Event:
• Description: Miniature bronze socketed axe from Blairbury, Wigtownshire
  Small bronze socketed axe with a loop and a moulding outside the socket of two raised lines, from Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian
  
• References:
  • Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. Vol. LXII, p. 229 
• Translations:
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