Axehead or adzehead

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This bronze axe- or adzehead was found at Strath on Skye. It was probably a tool used for felling trees and general carpentry sometime between 2250 and 1850 BC.

The socketed axe- or adzehead has an expanded convex blade and a side-loop just below the top. It is in good condition.

Axeheads and adzeheads were attached to the haft in different ways. On an axe, the head was fixed to the end of an L-shaped haft, its blade parallel with the haft. On an adze, the blade was at right angles to the haft, and was swung downwards.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-082-612-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 2
• Date: Between 2250 and 1850 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 3.63" x 2.75"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who: Thomas Mackenzie (Collector)
  
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Skye, Strath
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe from Strath, Skye
  
• 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 33, 69. 
• Translations:
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