Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Hill of Redhall at East Kinwhirrie in Angus. It is an early example of an axehead with cast flanges, dating from around 1750 to 1450 BC. Axeheads of this type are relatively rare in Scotland.

The flanged axehead has parallel sides extending from a squared butt until near the end, where the sides are sharply splayed to give a broad blade. There is faint decoration consisting of a curving row of punched marks bordered by concentric incised lines.

A large number of bronze axeheads dating to the Bronze Age have been found. Some were clearly everyday objects, used to chop trees and other woodwork. Other were prestige objects, and must have been symbols of power.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-304-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 137
• Date: Between 1750 and 1450 BC
  Bronze Age
  
• Material: Bronze; with cast flanges
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 5.00" L
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, East Kinwhirrie, Redhall
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze Age long-flanged axe head, from Hill of Redhall, Angus
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 26-9, 80. 
  • Taylor, D.B., Rideout, J.S., Russell-White, C.J. and Cowie, T.G. Prehistoric burials from Angus: some finds old and new. Tayside and Fife Archaeological Journal, 4 (1998), pp 31-66, esp. p 34. 
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