Small iron axehead

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This small iron axehead was found at the Broch of Ayre in Orkney. It was probably a tool used for felling trees and general carpentry sometime between 200 BC and 200 AD.

The axehead is corroded and damaged near the blade.

Wood was plentiful and early people used it skilfully, employing a range of axes and other tools for different tasks. By 950 BC specialist toolkits had been put together, probably for use by specialist woodworkers.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-893-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  Q.L.1948.3
• Date: 200 BC - 200 AD
  Between 200 BC and 200 AD
  
• Material: Iron; small; slightly drooping blade
  Axe
  
• Dimensions: 4.30" L; blade 2.50" W
  
• What: Axe
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Broch of Ayre
  
• Event:
• Description: Small iron axe head from the Broch of Ayre, Orkney, 200 BC - 200 AD
  
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