Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Achnacarron on Islay in the Inner Hebrides. It dates from between 800 and 700 BC.

The socketed axehead has a squarish lip and flat sides. The faces are decorated with five vertical ribs below a narrow horizontal moulding. 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 range of metal objects expanded during the 2nd millennium BC. A development in the form of axeheads from flat axeheads to ones with flanges, can be seen. In the 1st millennium BC, socketed axeheads are the most common form.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-709-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 120
• Date: 800 - 700 BC
  Between 800 and 700 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; squarish lip; flat sides; faces decorated with five vertical ribs surmounted by a horizontal moulding
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 4.00" x 2.35"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who: Mrs Iain Ramsay
  Mrs Lucy Ramsay (Probable collector)
  
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Islay, Achnacarran
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe with a squarish lip and flat sides, the faces decorated with five vertical ribs surmounted by a horizontal moulding, from Achnacarron, Islay, Argyll, 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 67. 
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