Axehead (side)

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This bronze axehead was found at Dams at Balbirnie in Fife. It dates from around 1750 to 1450 BC. This picture shows the axehead from the side.

The sides of the axehead are decorated with parallel lines meeting obliquely on the central ridge.

A large number of bronze axeheads dating to the Bronze Age have been found. Some were clearly everyday objects, used to chop trees and other woodwork. Other were prestige objects, and must have been symbols of power.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-056-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 32
• Date: 1750 - 1450 BC
  Between 1750 and 1450 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; with stop ridge; sides ornamented with parallel depressed lines meeting obliquely on the central ridge
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 4.75" L
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Balbirnie, Dams
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flanged axe with sides ornamented with parallel depressed lines meeting obliquely on the central ridge, from Dams, Balbirnie, Fife, 1750 - 1450 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 26-9, 82. 
• Translations:
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