Axehead (front)

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This bronze axehead was found at Fyvie in Aberdeenshire. It is either imported from northern Europe or a copy of an example from there. The axehead dates from around 1600 to 1400 BC.

The long, narrow axehead has deep, cast flanges, a wide, splayed blade and a well-defined stop-ridge. Axeheads of this type are found mainly over eastern and southern Scotland, particularly in Fife, Angus and Perth. They were probably made over a long period of time.

Bronze Age axeheads were hafted in L-shaped pieces of wood. The short arm was split to hold the axehead which was then tied into position. The flanges helped stop the axehead from slipping sideways in the haft while the stop-ridge prevented the haft from slipping down the tool.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-272-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 106
• Date: 1600 - 1400 BC
  Between 1600 and 1400 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 5.5" L x 2.69" across cutting edge
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Fyvie
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flanged axe from Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, 1600 - 1400 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, J.M. Scottish Middle Bronze Age Metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland, 97 (1963-64), pp 82-156, esp. 96-7, 132. 
• Translations:
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