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Battle axehead

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from Crieff, Perthshire

Battle axehead
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This unfinished stone battle axehead was found Rhynie in Aberdeenshire. It dates from around 2200 to 2000 BC. Although battle axes could have been used as weapons, like recent Native American clubs, they were principally symbols of power, indicating high status.

The battle axehead is unfinished, as the broad shafthole is incomplete and the blade is markedly blunt. It has been made from a flattish egg-shaped cobble. If complete, the stone head would have been fixed onto the top of an organic handle by means of its shafthole.

Battle axes were adapted from Continental Europe around the time when metallurgy was introduced to Scotland. They were originally mounted on handles. Although they could have functioned as weapons, their main purpose was to be symbols of power.

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