Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Wolfhill near Perth in Perthshire. It is an early example of the most common form of flat bronze axehead from the Early Bronze Age, found throughout Scotland. It dates from between 2300 and 2050 BC.

As with most of the flat axeheads of this shape, this example is without decoration. It was probably tinned which would have given it a shiny silvery appearance.

This is probably one of the earliest forms of bronze axeheads, transitional between thick butted, clumsy copper forms and more tapered bronze axeheads with thin butts.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-034-276-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
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• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DA 96
• Date: Between 2300 and 2050 BC
  Early Bronze Age
  
• Material: Bronze
  Axe, flat
  
• Dimensions: 4.13" x 2.94" across; 0.44" thick
  
• What: Axe, flat
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Perthshire, Perth, Wolfhill
  
• Event:
• Description: Early Bronze Age flat axe, from Wolfhill, near Perth
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110, esp. pp 15-26, 85. 
• Translations:
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