Sword

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This bronze sword was found near Keith House in East Lothian. It was a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The leaf-shaped sword has a rivet hole in each wing and two in the hilt plate to secure an organic handle. One is missing its tip and is broken.

Technological advances in bronze casting in the late Bronze Age resulted in new and better weapons. Long slashing swords became popular in the early 1st millennium BC. They could be used on foot or from horseback, and were prestigious weapons.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-080-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DL 16
• Date: 950 - 750 BC
  Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; leaf shaped; rivet hole in each wing and two in hilt plate
  
• Dimensions: 24.5" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Keith House
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze sword from near Keith House, East Lothian, 950 - 750 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish late Bronze Age metalwork: typology, distributions and chronology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 93 (1959-1960), pp 16-134, esp. 83. 
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