from Grandtully, Perthshire Grantully

Battle axehead

This stone battle axehead was found at Grandtully in Perthshire. It dates from around 2200 to 2000 BC. Although battle axes could have been used as weapons, like recent Native American clubs, they were principally symbols of power, indicating high status.

The battle axehead, made from an attractive-looking speckled stone, has a thick blade, curving butt and a roughly centrally positioned shafthole. 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 linked text below.

Online ID:	000-190-004-808-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 106
Date:	Between 2200 and 2000 BC
Material:	Granite
Dimensions:	3.50" x 1.88"
What:	Axe hammer
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Perthshire, Grantully
Event:
Description:	Axe hammer of granite stone from Grantully, Perthshire
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. The Battle-Axe series in Britain. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 32 (1966), 199-245.
Translations:
Related Records: