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Axehead

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from Brockhillstone, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire

Postcard of Axehead.
000-100-104-044-C
© National Museums Scotland

Axehead

This bronze axehead was found at Brockhillstone at Dunscore in Dumfriesshire. It is an example of the most common form of flat bronze axehead from the Early Bronze Age, found throughout Scotland. It dates from between 2250 and 1900 BC.

As with most of the flat axeheads of this shape, this example is without decoration. The cutting edge is quite battered.

The techniques used to make flat axeheads are simple but may have seemed magical to early people. First the shape was carved into a suitable stone. Metal was melted in a crucible and poured into the mould which was covered and allowed to cool. Then irregularities were hammered away and the edge was sharpened.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-104-044-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 88
Date: 2250 - 1900 BC
Between 2250 and 1900 BC
Material: Bronze; cutting edge battered
Dimensions: 6 x 3.63 x 0.38"
What: Axe, flat
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Dunscore, Brockhillstone
Event:
Description: Bronze flat axe from Brockhillstone, Dumfriesshire, 2250 - 1900 BC
References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 15-26, 81. 
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