Spearhead

This iron spearhead was found in a mound at Lyking in Orkney with an iron buckle and bone comb. They are from a Scandinavian burial, but were found with burnt bones, suggesting a cremation rather than the more normal inhumation burial.

The spearhead is in poor condition. Its upper end and tip are missing, while the socket is damaged. The blade has a slight ridge.

Spears found in Viking graves range from plain examples, as in this case, 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:	000-100-043-748-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 211
Date:	Between 900 and 1000
Material:	Iron; imperfect
Dimensions:	2.25" L
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney
Event:
Description:	Spearhead
References:	Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, pp 59, 144, 150. 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 80.
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