from Beinn nan Gudairean, Colonsay, Inner Hebrides

Sword (piece)

This piece of a bronze sword was found at Beinn nan Gudairean on the island of Colonsay in Inner Hebrides. It is part of a prestigious possession, used sometime between 950 and 750 BC.

The piece comprises the middle section of a leaf-shaped swords, missing now the point and hilt. The edges are badly corroded, but traces of an edge bevel are just visible. It has a smooth rounded cross section.

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.

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Online ID:	000-100-104-172-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.DL 63
Date:	950 - 750 BC Between 950 and 750 BC
Material:	Copper alloy, bronze, dark green, dull or only slightly glossy; leaf shaped sword, smooth lenticular cross section, slightly curved longitudinally; surfaces in reasonable condition, edges badly corroded, edge bevel just visible
Dimensions:	272 mm L, 40 mm max broad, 7.50 mm max thick
What:	Sword / blade / section, middle
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Argyll, Colonsay, Beinn nan Gudairean
Event:
Description:	Middle section of the blade of a bronze sword, from Beinn nan Gudairean, Colonsay, 950 - 750 BC
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