Battle axehead

Add to album

This large, possibly unfinished battle axehead was found in Wigtownshire. Although battle axes could have been used as weapons, like recent Native American clubs, they were principally symbols of power, indicating high status.

This battle axehead splays out at either side of the central shafthole. The blade end is very blunt, and may be unfinished. The shafthole has been bored from either side, but bored further from one side than the other. The stone head would have been fixed onto the top of an organic handle by means of its shafthole.

Battle axe use was adopted from the Continent in the centuries before 2000 BC. Battle axes remained a popular status symbol for around 1000 years. Their heads were often made of beautiful and hard-to-work stone, and their shape changed according to fashions over the centuries.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-190-004-776-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 28
• Date: Between 2000 and 1700 BC
  
• Material: Greenstone
  Axe hammer
  
• Dimensions: 6.50" x 3.25" x 2.75"
  
• What: Axe hammer
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Wigtownshire
  
• Event:
• Description: Axe hammer of greenstone, from Wigtownshire
  
• References:
  • Fenton, M.B. The petrological identification of stone battle axes and axe-hammers from Scotland. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 67), 1988, pp 92-132. 
  • Roe, F.E.S. The Battle-Axe series in Britain. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 32 (1966), 199-245. 
  • Roe, F.E.S. Typology of stone implements with shaftholes. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 23), 1979, pp 23-48. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: