From Carnethy Hill, Pentland Hills, Midlothian and BulleId, Perthshire

Bronze axeheads

These bronze axeheads were found at Carnethy Hill in the Pentland Hills in Midlothian and at Bulleid in Perthshire. Both were prestigious objects of fine workmanship, and probably buried as gifts to the gods sometime between 2050 and 1800 BC.

Both flat axeheads are decorated. The axehead from Carnethy Hill has incised herring bone patterns and lines, while the flanged axehead from Bulleid has cast ridges and is finely polished. It is broken at the top.

Axeheads were symbols of power and prestige for a long period, probably with religious significance as well. They were sometimes buried as offerings to the gods.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-048-132-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.DA 126
Date:	Between 2050 and 1800 BC Early Bronze Age Early Bronze Age
Material:	Bronze; decorated Bronze; decorated
Dimensions:	5.13" x 4.88"
What:	Axe, flat Axe, flat
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Pentland Hills, Carnethy Hill (Place found) Scotland, Perthshire, Bullied
Event:
Description:	Early Bronze Age decorated flat axe, from Bullied, Perthshire Early Bronze Age decorated flat axe head from Carnethy Hill, Pentland Hills, Midlothian
References:	Coles, John M. Scottish Early Bronze Age metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 101 (1968-9), 1-110.
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