Axeheads

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These bronze axeheads were found at Colleonard in Banffshire, carefully packed inside a pot with their cutting edges uppermost. They were probably buried as a gift to the gods, sometime between 2100 and 1850 BC.

Five of the flat axeheads are complete, and two are broken. All the axes except one of the broken ones were decorated.

Axeheads were symbols of power and prestige for a long period, probably with religious significance as well. As this hoard demonstrates, the axeheads, rather than complete axes with wooden hafts, were considered valuable and worthy to offer to the gods.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-228-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 25
• Date: Between 2100 and 1850 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; hammered on the face
  Bronze; hammered on the face
  Bronze; hammered on the face
  Bronze; hammered on the face
  Bronze; hammered on the face
  Bronze; hammered on the face
  Bronze; imperfect
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat / portion
  
• Dimensions: 2.50" across face
  3.25" x 3.25"
  5.25" x 4.25"
  5.50" x 3.50"
  6.00" x 2.75"
  6.00" x 3.00"
  
• What: Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  Scotland, Banffshire, Colleonard
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flat axe, hammered on the face, from Colleonard
  Bronze flat axe, hammered on the face, from Colleonard
  Bronze flat axe, hammered on the face, from Colleonard
  Bronze flat axe, hammered on the face, from Colleonard
  Imperfect bronze flat axe from Colleonard
  Bronze flat axe, hammered on the face, from Colleonard
  Portion of a bronze flat axe, hammered on the face, from Colleonard
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 102-3, 181, 300-1. 
• Translations:
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