Dirk

Add to album

Early dirks were lethal stabbing weapons. This bronze example was found in a cairn at Morlich Quarry at Towie in Aberdeenshire. It dates from around 1500 to 1400 BC.

The blade has a central ridge which flattens and widens at the butt. The tip of the blade is missing.

Daggers and spears were used both for warfare and for hunting. Over time, however, through improving metal technology, more efficient weapons were made. Dirks are generally more robust and larger than the earlier Bronze Age daggers they developed from.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-188-287-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DJ 35
• Date: Between 1500 and 1400 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Dagger / rapier, blade / portion
  
• Dimensions: 7.56" L
  
• What: Dagger / rapier, blade / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Morlich Towie Quarry
  
• Event:
• Description: Portion of a dagger- or rapier-blade, found in a cairn at Morlich Towie Quarry, Aberdeenshire
  
• References:
  • Coles, J.M. Scottish Middle Bronze Age Metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland, 97 (1963-64), pp 82-156, esp. 111-4, 145. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: