Axehead

Add to album

This bronze axehead was found at Benachie in Aberdeenshire. It dates from between 950 and 750 BC.

The socketed axehead is a form often termed a bag-shaped axe, characterised by a short body and wide blade. The oval-shaped socket is surrounded by two mouldings. 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: 000-190-004-756-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 92
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 3.38" L x 2.25"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Benachie
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe, the socket oval shaped inside and vesica shaped outside and surrounded by two mouldings, from Benachie, Aberdeenshire
  
• 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 66. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: