Macehead

This unfinished stone macehead was found at Ashogall Hill at Turriff in Aberdeenshire. It may date to around 1900 to 1700 BC.

The macehead is barrel-shaped, and the central shafthole is unfinished. It had been drilled from one side, but drilling had not started from the other side when it was abandoned. The surface has not been ground smooth, and many pock marks from its shaping are visible.

Maces were used as symbols of power from the late 4th millennium to the early 2nd millennium BC. They could have functioned as weapons, but their use was probably mainly for show.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-781-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 40
• Date: Between 1900 and 1700 BC
  
• Material: Sandstone
  Hammer
  
• Dimensions: 3.75" x 2.75"
  
• What: Hammer
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Turriff, Ashogall Hill
  
• Event:
• Description: Hammer of sandstone from Ashogall Hill, Turriff, Aberdeenshire
  
• References:
  • Roe, F.E.S. Stone mace-heads and the latest Neolithic cultures of the British Isles. In: Coles, J.M. and Simpson, D.D.A. (eds) Studies in Ancient Europe. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1968, pp 145-172. 
  • 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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