Axehead

Add to album

This bronze axehead was found at Cronan at Strathmore in Perthshire. It dates from between 950 and 750 BC.

The socketed axehead has a pronounced collar. It has been hammered on the blade and at the mouth. There are flaws below the loop. 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.

Socketed axeheads appear to have been invented on the Continent. They are part of a range of socketed tools and swords made by smiths requiring more complex casting techniques.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-180-001-309-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material:
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where:
• Event:
• Description:
• 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 72. 
  • Schmidt, P.K. and Burgess, C.B. The axes of Scotland and northern England (= Prähistorische Bronzefunde, IX/7). Munich, 1981, p 242, no. 1588. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: