Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Auchterhouse in Angus. It dates from around 1500 to 1150 BC.

The long, narrow axehead has deep, cast flanges, a wide, splayed blade and a well-defined stop-ridge. Axeheads of this type are found mainly over eastern and southern Scotland, particularly in Fife, Angus and Perth. They were probably made over a long period of time.

Bronze Age axeheads were hafted in L-shaped pieces of wood. The short arm was split to hold the axehead which was then tied into position. The flanges helped stop the axehead from slipping sideways in the haft while the stop-ridge prevented the haft from slipping down the tool.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-073-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 115
• Date: 1500 - 1150 BC
  Between 1500 and 1150 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 6.38 x 2.69 across cutting edge x 1.75" across flanges
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Dundee, Auchterhouse
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flanged axe from Auchterhouse, Angus, 1500 - 1150 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, J.M. Scottish Middle Bronze Age Metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland, 97 (1963-64), pp 82-156, esp. 96-7, 133. 
• Translations:
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