Ceremonial axeheads dating from 3400 to 2900 BC

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These two stone axeheads, one of tuff and one of a Shetland stone, were found at Drumour at Glenshee in Angus and at Cunningsburgh on Shetland. They were ceremonial axeheads. The Glenshee axehead was imported from Great Langdale in Cumbria.

Large Cumbrian club type axe head from Drumour, Glenshee, Angus

Axes such as these ones were prestige items, and would not have been used as everyday axeheads. The Glenshee axehead was found with another similar one, and may have been buried as a gift to the gods.

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• Online ID: 000-100-032-685-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AF 520
• Date: Glenshee axehead: Between 3400 and 2900 BC; Cunningsburgh axehead: Between 3400 and 2500 BC
  
• Material: Serpentine; veined; finely polished
  Tuff
  Axe
  Axe
  
• Dimensions: 10.42" x 2.94" x 1.69"
  15.50" x 3.75"
  
• What: Axe
  Axe
  
• Subject:
• Who: Duns Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Glenshee, Drumour
  Scotland, Shetland, Cunningsburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Axe head of finely polished veined serpentine, from Cunningsburgh, Shetland
  
• References:
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