Sword

This bronze sword is one of two found at Rigg on Skye. It was a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The leaf-shaped blade has a high, convex rib along the centre of the blade on each side. There is an oblong slot in each wing and two in the hilt plate, for securing a 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.

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Online ID:	000-100-034-405-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 37
Date:	Between 950 and 750 BC Late Bronze Age
Material:	Bronze; leaf-shaped; with high convex rib along centre of blade on each side; oblong slot in each wing and two in hilt plate
Dimensions:	28.75" L
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Inverness-shire, Skye, Rigg
Event:
Description:	Late Bronze Age leaf-shaped sword from Rigg, 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. 84, 112.
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