Spear (fragments)

These fragments of an iron spear were found in a Viking grave mound at Kildonan on Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. They were probably part of the socket for the spearhead, and possible for a spear butt as well. The burial dates from between 900 and 950.

The very corroded fragments preserve remains of the wooden shaft inside the socket.

Spears found in Viking graves range from plain examples to objects with richly decorated sockets. As is the case with axes and arrowheads, it is often difficult to determine whether they were intended as weapons.

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Online ID:	000-100-043-715-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.IL 168
Date:	Between 900 and 950
Material:	Iron
Dimensions:
What:	Ferrule
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Inverness-shire, Eigg
Event:
Description:	Iron ferrule from Eigg
References:	Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 84. Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 68.
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