Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Knock at Kildalton on Islay in the Inner Hebrides. It dates from between 950 and 750 BC.

The socketed axehead has a broad loop, rounded oval lip and an ornamental moulding consisting of three ridges. 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.

The development of two piece moulds allowed the manufacture of socketed tools and weapons. Few moulds are found, suggesting that clay was generally used to form the moulds, and then discarded after use.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-708-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 119
• Date: 950 - 750 BC
  Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; broad, flat loop; rounded oval lip forming flange; ornamental moulding consisting of a broad, a narrow and a broad ridge
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 3.10" x 2.20"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who: Mrs Iain Ramsay
  Mrs Lucy Ramsay (Probable collector)
  
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Islay, Kildalton, Knock
  
• Event:
• Description: Unpatinated bronze socketed axe with broad loop, rounded oval lip and ornamental moulding consisting of three ridges, from Knock, Kildalton, Islay, Argyll, 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. p 67. 
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