from near Meigle, Perthshire

Macehead

This macehead was found in Wigtownshire, and dates from between 3000 and 2000 BC. Maces could have been used as weapons, but were principally symbols of power and status.

The macehead is shaped very roughly like an egg, and has a shafthole towards the narrow end. It would originally have been fixed to the top of a handle of wood or other organic material by means of its shaft hole.

Maces were used as symbols of power from the late 4th to the early 2nd millennium BC, particularly in the Northern Isles. Many were made from attractively coloured or patterned stones, and would have taken much time to make. This 'ovoid' type is very occasionally found in chamber tombs, and a few fancy decorated examples have been found in Britain and Ireland.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-033-047-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.AH 114
Date:	Between 3300 and 2500 BC
Material:	Serpentine, dark grey
Dimensions:	3.75" x 2.25"
What:	Hammerstone
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Perthshire, Meigle
Event:
Description:	Perforated hammerstone from near Meigle
References:	Roe, F.E.S. Stone mace-heads and the latest Neolithic cultures of the British Isles. In: Coles, J.M. and Simpson, D.D.A. (eds) Studies in Ancient Europe. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1968, pp 145-172. Roe, F.E.S. Typology of stone implements with shaftholes. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 23), 1979, pp 23-48.
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