from Physgil, Wigtownshire

Axe-hammer

This unfinished stone axe-hammer was found at Physgil in Wigtownshire. Axe-hammers are heavy-duty tools, ranging in length from 150 to 350 mm. They have shaftholes for a wooden handle. They could have been used as massive wedges, and they probably date to between 2100 and 1400 BC.

This is an abandoned roughout of an axe-hammer. The 'parent' cobble has been only roughly shaped, and drilling of the shafthole has only just begun, on one side.

The function of axe-hammers has been debated. Traces of use suggest that the butt end was struck and the blade end pushed through a resistant material. The narrow handle would have been too weak to act like an axe handle, so may have been for steadying the tool in position. Use as a heavy-duty wedge seems the most likely. There are unexplained concentrations of axe-hammers in south-west Scotland and north-west England.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-004-800-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.AH 86
Date:	Between 2100 and 1400 BC
Material:	Sandstone
Dimensions:	11.13" x 4.00"
What:	Hammer head
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Wigtownshire, Physgill
Event:
Description:	Hammer head of sandstone from Physgill, Wigtownshire
References:	Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies, Volume 2. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 67), 1988. 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. 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.
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