Axehead

This bronze axehead was found at West Glenbuck at Muirkirk in Ayrshire. It dates from around 1500 to 1150 BC.

The long, narrow axehead has deep, cast flanges and a wide, splayed blade. The cutting edge of the axehead recurves backwards at the ends. Axeheads of this type are found mainly over eastern and southern Scotland, particularly in Fife, Angus and Perth.

A large number of bronze axeheads dating to the Bronze Age have been found. Some were clearly everyday objects, used to chop trees and other woodwork. Other were prestige objects, and must have been symbols of power.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-072-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 112
• Date: 1500 - 1150 BC
  Between 1500 and 1150 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; cutting edge recurves backwards at ends
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 5.81" L
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ayrshire, Muirkirk, West Glenbuck
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flanged axe from West Glenbuck, Ayrshire, 1500 - 1150 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, J.M. Scottish Middle Bronze Age Metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland, 97 (1963-64), pp 82-156, esp. 96-7, 133. 
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