Record

Two bronze axeheads

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From Abdie, Fife

Postcard of Two bronze axeheads.
000-100-034-248-C
© National Museums Scotland

Two bronze axeheads

These bronze axeheads were found at Abdie in Fife. They were buried, probably as a gift to the gods, sometime between 2250 and 1950 BC.

The axehead on top has been coated with tin to give it a silvery appearance. It was bent across the middle, with a resulting crack, and damaged on the cutting edge. The sides of the axehead on the bottom have been hammered into three facets.

Offerings to the gods were often special material, treated in special ways or put in special places. Prestigious weapons such as axeheads, maceheads or swords are sometimes found broken, probably part of a ceremony we can only guess about.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-034-248-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 62
Date: Between 2250 and 1950 BC
Early Bronze Age
Early Bronze Age
Material: Bronze; sides hammered into three facets
Bronze; slightly imperfect at cutting edge; fractured across middle; tinning on one face
Dimensions: 5.88" x 3.25"
6.63" x 3.63"
What: Axe, flat
Axe, flat
Subject:
Who: Sturrock Collection
Sturrock Collection
Where: Scotland, Fife, Abdie
Scotland, Fife, Abdie
Event:
Description: Early Bronze Age flat axe with sides hammered into three facets, from Abdie, Fife
Early Bronze Age flat axe, fractured across middle, showing tinning on one face, from Abdie, Fife
References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 34, 82, 105. 
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