Axehead

Add to album

This bronze axehead is from a hoard of five found in the water of Leith near Bell's Mill at Dean in Edinburgh. The hoard was buried between 950 and 750 BC.

The socketed axehead has parallel lines on the sides. A wooden handle would have fitted into the axehead's socket. A thong through the loop could also have attached the axehead to the handle.

A large number of socketed axeheads have been found in Scotland, most dating between 950 and 750 BC. Few moulds have been found, suggesting that they were made in two piece clay moulds which have not survived.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-100-082-617-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 17
• Date: Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; with parallel lines on the sides
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 3.50" x 1.50"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Dean, Bell's Mills
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe with parallel lines on the sides, from Bell's Mills, Dean, Edinburgh
  
• References:
  • Coles, John M. Scottish late Bronze Age metalwork: typology, distributions and chronology. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 93 (1959-1960), pp 16-134, esp. pp 116-7. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: