Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Greenlees at Westruther in Berwickshire. It dates from between 1950 and 1650 BC.

The axehead has a fairly narrow butt and widened blade. Like a number of axeheads of this form, it is decorated, here with concentric grooves.

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: 000-100-034-269-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 82
• Date: Between 1950 and 1650 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; slight indication of medial ridge; ornamented with concentric and segmental concentric grooves
  Axe, flat
  
• Dimensions: 7.06" L, 3.19" across cutting edge
  
• What: Axe, flat
  
• Subject:
• Who: Lady John Scott Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Berwickshire, Westruther, Greenlees
  
• Event:
• Description: Axe, flat
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 10-15, 81. 
• Translations:
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