Bronze shield

This bronze shield is one of three found in a hoard at Yetholm in Roxburghshire. It was more ornamental than practical. The shields were probably deposited in a watery area as gifts to the gods, sometime between 1150 and 750 BC.

The shield has a central boss surrounded by 30 rows of alternating ribs and bosses. This type of decoration is the most common type found on similar shields from this period in Britain. The central boss is damaged.

Late Bronze Age shields, with cauldrons and buckets, represent the pinnacle of the sheet bronze worker's craft. These shields were beaten out from a solid cake of bronze. They were display objects, probably used in ritualised ceremonial conflict.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-034-422-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.DN 2
Date:	Between 1150 and 750 BC
Material:	Bronze; circular; upper surface covered with raised concentric circles and rows of knobs
Dimensions:	24.00" D
What:	Shield
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Roxburghshire, Yetholm
Event:
Description:	Circular bronze shield with upper surface covered with raised concentric circles and rows of knobs, from near Yetholm, Roxburghshire
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 26, 88, 131-2.
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