Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at the back of a well formed by a natural spring at Dunmore in Inverness-shire. It dates from between 800 and 700 BC.

The small, narrow socketed axehead has a blunted cutting edge and a casting flaw below the loop. A wooden handle would have fitted into the axehead's socket. A thong could also have attached the axehead to the socket through the loop.

Axeheads were symbols of power and prestige for a long period, probably with religious significance as well. They were sometimes buried or deposited in watery places as offerings to the gods.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-171-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 133
• Date: 800 - 700 BC
  Between 800 and 700 BC
  
• Material: Copper alloy, bronze; Armorican type; small; socketed; faircondition, blunted cutting edge, casting flaw below loop
  Axe
  
• Dimensions: 77 mm L, 17 mm x 23 mm across at socket, cutting edge 27 mm W
  
• What: Axe
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Newtonmore, Dunmore
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe from Dunmore, Inverness-shire, 800 - 700 BC
  
• References:
  • Schmidt, P.K. and Burgess, C.B. The axes of Scotland and northern England (= Prähistorische Bronzefunde, IX/7). Munich, 1981, no 1655A. 
• Translations:
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