Macehead

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A mace was a ceremonial weapon. This stone macehead was found on Rousay in Orkney. It was a prestige item, used to display status.

A line has been incised near each end, and the area to the ends then smoothed to provide a contrast with the rest of the macehead. The macehead would originally have been mounted on a handle.

Stone maceheads were used as prestige items - symbols of power and, possibly, of rank - for several centuries. They were often made from attractive rocks, and rarely show signs of use.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-033-076-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 193
• Date: Between 3100 and 1400 BC
  
• Material: Stone
  Mace head
  
• Dimensions: 4.50" x 2.00" x 1.50"
  
• What: Mace head
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Rousay
  
• Event:
• Description: Stone mace head, Bush Barrow type, from Rousay, Orkney
  
• References:
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