Bronze axeheads

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These bronze axeheads were found at Carnethy Hill in the Pentland Hills in Midlothian and at Bulleid in Perthshire. Both were prestigious objects of fine workmanship, and probably buried as gifts to the gods sometime between 2050 and 1800 BC.

Both flat axeheads are decorated. The axehead from Carnethy Hill has incised herring bone patterns and lines, while the flanged axehead from Bulleid has cast ridges and is finely polished. It is broken at the top.

Axeheads were symbols of power and prestige for a long period, probably with religious significance as well. They were sometimes buried as offerings to the gods.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-048-132-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 126
• Date: Between 2050 and 1800 BC
  Early Bronze Age
  Early Bronze Age
  
• Material: Bronze; decorated
  Bronze; decorated
  Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  
• Dimensions: 5.13" x 4.88"
  
• What: Axe, flat
  Axe, flat
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Pentland Hills, Carnethy Hill (Place found)
  Scotland, Perthshire, Bullied
  
• Event:
• Description: Early Bronze Age decorated flat axe, from Bullied, Perthshire
  Early Bronze Age decorated flat axe head from Carnethy Hill, Pentland Hills, Midlothian
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110. 
• Translations:
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