from Inch, Wigtownshire

Battle axehead

This stone battle axehead was found at Inch in Wigtownshire. 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 has a blade, a butt and a shafthole positioned towards the butt end. The stone head would have been fixed onto the top of an organic handle by means of its shafthole. This battle axehead has lost most of its surface due to some factor such as acid leaching.

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

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Online ID:	000-190-004-810-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 113
Date:	Between 2200 and 2000 BC
Material:	Greenstone
Dimensions:	5.88" x 2.50"
What:	Axe hammer
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Wigtownshire, Inch
Event:
Description:	Axe hammer of greenstone from Inch, Wigtownshire
References:	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.
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