From Loch Airigh na Ceardaich, Balallan, Lochs, Lewis, Outer Hebrides

Five stone axeheads

These stone axeheads were found in Loch Airigh na Ceardaich at Balallan at Lochs on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. They were deposited into the loch together, probably as a religious offering, sometime between 3800 and 1800 BC.

Axe head of grey-green stone, with a broad flattened butt and relatively straight sides, from Loch Airigh na Ceardaich, Balallan, Lochs, Lewis

Classical sources suggest that native religious rites were practised in natural places rather than monumental buildings. Watery places in particular had religious significance, and were places where objects were ritually deposited.

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Online ID:	000-100-082-986-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.AF 1096
Date:	Between 3800 and 1800 BC
Material:	Stone, grey ; one side straight and the other slightly convex; irregularly curving blunt cutting edge Stone, grey and white on one face and light brown and grey on the other; broad butt; slightly convex sides Stone, grey-green; broad flattened butt; relatively straight sides; asymmetrical cutting edge; thick proportions Stone, grey; broad flattened butt; straight sides; rounded cutting edge; thick proportions; oval cross-section Stone, speckled grey; broad butt; straight sides; rounded cutting edge; flattened oval cross-section
Dimensions:	Butt 115 mm L x 40 mm B; cutting edge 73 mm B Butt 116 mm L x 38 mm B; cutting edge 66 mm B Butt 120 mm L x 33 mm B; cutting edge 64 mm B Butt 129 mm L x 29 mm B; cutting edge 67 mm B Butt 131 mm L x 40 mm B; cutting edge 57 mm B
What:	Axe Axe Axe Axe Axe
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis, Lochs, Balallan, L Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis, Lochs, Balallan, L Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis, Lochs, Balallan, L Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis, Lochs, Balallan, L Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis, Lochs, Balallan, L
Event:
Description:	Axe head of grey stone, with a broad flattened butt and straight sides, from Loch Airigh na Ceardaich, Balallan, Lochs, Lewis Axe head of speckled grey stone, with a broad butt and straight sides, from Loch Airigh na Ceardaich, Balallan, Lochs, Lewis Stone axe head, grey and white on one face and light brown and grey on the other, with a broad butt and slightly convex sides, from Loch Airigh na Ceardaich, Balallan, Lochs, Lewis Axe head of grey stone with a broad flattened butt, one side straight and the other slightly convex, from Loch Airigh na Ceardaich, Balallan, Lochs, Lewis
References:	Treasure Trove file Treasure Trove file Treasure Trove file Treasure Trove file Treasure Trove file
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