Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Jordanshill at Meigle in Perthshire. It dates from between 1850 and 1650 BC.

The flat axehead has straight sides which then splay at the bottom to give a wide cutting edge. The edges have been hammered into flutings and the body decorated with a chevron design.

A large number of bronze axeheads dating to the Early 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: 000-100-034-258-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 71
• Date: Between 1850 and 1650 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; flutings on edges; chevron ornament
  Axe, flat
  
• Dimensions: 5.88" x 2.88" across cutting edge
  
• What: Axe, flat
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Perthshire, Meigle, Jordanstone
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flat axe with flutings on the edges and chevron ornament, from Jordanstone
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 15, 84. 
• Translations:
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