Spear (fragments)

Add to album

These fragments of an iron spear were found in a Viking grave mound at Kildonan on Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. They were probably part of the socket for the spearhead, and possible for a spear butt as well. The burial dates from between 900 and 950.

The very corroded fragments preserve remains of the wooden shaft inside the socket.

Spears found in Viking graves range from plain examples to objects with richly decorated sockets. As is the case with axes and arrowheads, it is often difficult to determine whether they were intended as weapons.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-043-715-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 168
• Date: Between 900 and 950
  
• Material: Iron
  Ferrule
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Ferrule
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Eigg
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron ferrule from Eigg
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 84. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 68. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: