from Hill of Fortrie, Balnoon, Inverkeithing, Fife; Banffshire; Glenforsa, Mull, Inner Hebrides; Bracobrae, Moray

Axeheads of bronze

These four bronze axeheads were found at Hill of Fortrie at Balnoon at Inverkeithing in Fife, at Banffshire, at Glenforsa on Mull in the Inner Hebrides and at Bracobrae in Moray. Three of them display special treatment, making them especially prestigious.

The Hill of Fortrie axehead, which is broken, was tinned to give it a silvery appearance. The Banffshire axehead is decorated, while that from Lawhead is outstanding because of its massive size. The Bracobrae axe is typical for this period.

Some axeheads were symbols of power over long periods. Tinning was a technique used by the early metalworkers of north-east Scotland to make axeheads extra special. Decoration is a feature particularly noted on Irish axeheads.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-102-422-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 38
Date:	2250 - 1900 BC Between 2250 and 1900 BC
Material:	Bronze Bronze, probably tinned; plain Bronze; tin coating Tin bronze; seven rows of chevron-like patterns on each face, parallel to cutting edge
Dimensions:	5.63" x 3.13" across cutting edge 5.70" L; 3.50" W across cutting edge; butt 1.05" W 6 x 3.25" 6.88" x 3.25"
What:	Axe, flat Axe, flat Axe, flat Axe, flat
Subject:
Who:	Duns Collection
Where:	Scotland, Argyll, Mull, Glenforsa Scotland, Banffshire Scotland, Banffshire, Inverkeithny, Balnoon, Hill of Fortrie Scotland, Bracobrae
Event:
Description:	Tin bronze flat axe with seven rows of chevron-like patterns on each face, from Banffshire Bronze flat axe, probably tinned, from Glenforsa, Mull Bronze flat axe, from Bracobrae Axehead of bronze, from Hill of Fortrie, Balnoon, Banffshire, 2250 - 1900 BC
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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