Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found at Harlaw Farm at Balerno in Midlothian. It dates from around 1500 to 1150 BC.

The flanged axehead has a deep crack across one side at the end of a flanged portion. Axeheads of this form are widely found in Scotland.

Offerings to the gods were often special material, treated in special ways or put in special places. Prestigious weapons such as axeheads or maceheads are sometimes found broken, probably part of a ceremony we can only guess at.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-067-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DC 97
• Date: 1500 - 1150 BC
  Between 1500 and 1150 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; deep crack across one side at end of flanged portion
  Axe, flanged
  
• Dimensions: 5.38" L x 2.13" across cutting edge
  
• What: Axe, flanged
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Balerno, Harlaw Farm
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze flanged axe from Harlaw Farm, Balerno, Midlothian, 1500 - 1150 BC
  
• References:
  • Coles, J.M. Scottish Middle Bronze Age Metalwork. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland, 97 (1963-64), pp 82-156, esp. 89-90, 136. 
• Translations:
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