Axeheads (back)

Add to album

These bronze axeheads were found in 1990 in a hoard of late Bronze Age material at St Andrews in Fife. The hoard contained over 200 tools, weapons and ornaments as well as seven amber beads and three cannel coal bangles. It was buried between 950 and 750 BC.

The form of the axeheads is typical of those found in northern Britain during this period. 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. Both axeheads are damaged at the socket and blade.

Although the St Andrews hoard had been completely disturbed, the finders' descriptions give us some idea of its original layout in the ground. For example, it seems that the heavier items, such as the spears and axes, were lying on top of the pile of metalwork.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-180-000-877-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DQA.1-250
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  Late Bronze Age
  
• Material: Object / hoard
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Object / hoard
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, St Andrews (Priestden Place)
  
• Event:
• Description: Hoard of Late Bronze Age objects from St Andrews, Fife
  
• References:
  • Cowie, Trevor, O'Connor, Brendan and Proudfoot, Edwina. A Late Bronze Age hoard from St Andrews, Fife, Scotland: a preliminary report. In: Chevillot, C. and Coffin, A (eds). Le Bronze Atlantique, Actes du premier colloque, Beynac 1990, Beynac, 1991, pp 49 
• Translations:
• Related Records: