Battle axehead

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This stone battle axehead was found in the River Tay at Ballinbreich, near Newburgh, in Fife. It dates from around 2000 to 1700 BC. Although battle axes could have been used as weapons, like recent Native American clubs, they were principally symbols of power, indicating high status.

This fairly large battle axehead splays at its butt and blade ends. The shafthole shows signs of an initial mis-bore: there is an outer, hollow ring around the shafthole on one side. The stone head would have been fixed onto the top of an organic handle by means of its shafthole.

Battle axes were adapted from Continental Europe around the time when metallurgy was introduced to Scotland. They were originally mounted on handles. Although they could have functioned as weapons, their main purpose was to be symbols of power.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-033-031-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 57
• Date: Between 2000 and 1700 BC
  
• Material: Granite
  Axe hammer
  
• Dimensions: 6.00" x 2.50"
  
• What: Axe hammer
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Newburgh, Ballinbreich, River Tay
  
• Event:
• Description: Perforated granite axe hammer, from the River Tay at Ballinbreich, near Newburgh, Fife
  
• 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. 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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