From Jarlshof, Shetland

Pieces of a clay mould for making swords

These pieces of a clay mould were found at Jarlshof in Shetland. They probably belong to the same mould, used to make a sword sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

Pieces survive for the hilt, middle and tip of the blade. The two raised bosses on the hilt would have produced rivet holes. The two halves (or valves) of the mould would have been secured together and molten metal poured into the channel at the top.

Excavations at Jarlshof have revealed evidence of bronze-working. A smith, trained in the Irish tradition of bronze-working, built a large hearth in the centre of a house and set up a workshop. Finds include awls, chisels, clay moulds, crucibles and slag.

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Online ID:	000-100-043-063-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.HSA 3927 D
Date:	Between 950 and 750 BC
Material:	Hilt having two bosses for rivet holes; lower edge having three remaining bosses fitting the upper edge of the adjacent piece Piece from lower down blade Tip of blade
Dimensions:	3.60" L
What:	Mould / portion Mould / portion Mould / portion
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Event:
Description:	Piece of a sword mould from Jarlshof Piece of a sword mould from Jarlshof Piece of a sword mould from Jarlshof
References:	Turner, Val. Ancient Shetland. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd, 1998, pp 59-60.
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