Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found in the water of Leith during the building of Dean Bridge in Edinburgh. It dates from between 800 and 700 BC.

The axehead has a quadrilateral socket mouth with rounded corners. Both faces of the axehead are decorated with six vertical grooves. 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: 000-100-104-707-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 116
• Date: 800 - 700 BC
  Between 800 and 700 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; loop; quadrilateral socket mouth; slight moulding on outer edge of socket; six vertical grooves on each face
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 4.25" L x 2.13"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Dean (In Water of Leith at Dean Bridge)
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe with loop, quadrilateral socket mouth with rounded corners and six vertical grooves on each face, from the Water of Leith, Dean Bridge, Edinburgh, 800 - 700 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. p 66. 
• Translations:
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