Axehead of stone

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This stone axehead was found in a cist in the Pentlands in Midlothian. It was probably imported from the area around Hamburg in Northern Germany between 750 and 450 BC.

The shafthole axehead would originally have had a wooden handle.

The Pentland axehead is a rare example of a Late Bronze Age prestige object made of stone. It would have been a symbol of power, although it could have been used as a weapon as well.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-035-681-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EQ 64
• Date: 1000 - 0
  Between 750 and 450 BC
  
• Material: Greenstone; perforated
  Axe
  
• Dimensions: 4.50" L
  
• What: Axe
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Pentland Hills
  
• Event:
• Description: Stone shafthole axe head from the Pentlands, probably imported from Eastern Lower Saxony, 1000 - 0 B.C.
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, p 273. 
• Translations:
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