Halberds

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Bronze Age halberds were dagger-like objects mounted at right angles to the haft. These three bronze examples were found together at Kingarth in Bute. The hoard was buried between 2300 and 2000 BC.

The three halberds all have midribs and rivet holes where they would have attached to their hafts.

Halberds were unambiguous weapons, and clearly served a ceremonial purpose. Over 40 are known from Scotland, varying in shape and size, though most have a midrib and rivet holes. Most are from single finds, though four hoards containing only halberds are known.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-241-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DJ 11
• Date: Between 2300 and 2000 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; broad
  Bronze; broad; with traces of four rivet holes
  Bronze; broad; with traces of three rivet holes
  Halberd
  Halberd
  Halberd
  
• Dimensions: 11.00" L
  13.00" L
  9.50" L
  
• What: Halberd
  Halberd
  Halberd
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Bute, Kingarth
  Scotland, Bute, Kingarth
  Scotland, Bute, Kingarth
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze halberd from Kingarth, Bute
  Bronze halberd from Kingarth, Bute
  Bronze halberd from Kingarth, Bute
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 35-40, 87, 105. 
• Translations:
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