Bronze sword

This bronze sword was found on Skye. The sword is broken in two, probably as part of a ritual before the sword was buried, sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The sword has a long blade for slashing. There are rivet holes on the grip and shoulders to secure an organic handle.

Technological advances in bronze casting in the late Bronze Age resulted in new and better weapons. Long slashing swords became popular in the early 1st millennium BC. They could be used on foot or from horseback, and were prestigious weapons.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-034-404-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.DL 36
Date:	Between 950 and 750 BC
Material:	Bronze; leaf-shaped; pommel end imperfect; rivet hole in each wing and two in hilt plate
Dimensions:	26.00" L
What:	Sword
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Inverness-shire, Skye
Event:
Description:	Bronze leaf-shaped sword from Skye
References:	Coles, John M. Scottish late Bronze Age metalwork: typology, distributions and chronology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 93 (1959-1960), pp 16-134, esp. pp 29-30, 84.
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