Axehead

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This bronze axehead was found on the golf links at Bonar Bridge in Sutherland. It dates from between 950 and 750 BC.

The small socketed axehead is a type sometimes known as a bag-shaped axe. It has two mouldings around the mouth of the socket and a broken loop on one side. It is in poor condition.

Socketed axeheads appear to have been invented on the Continent, and squat axes were common in Ireland. A curved wooden handle would have fitted into the axehead's socket. A thong could also have attached the axehead to the socket through the loop.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-701-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.DE 84
• Date: 950 - 750 BC
  Between 950 and 750 BC
  
• Material: Bronze; broken loop on one side; two mouldings round socket mouth; brownish green patina
  Axe, socketed
  
• Dimensions: 2.13" L x 1.50"
  
• What: Axe, socketed
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Sutherland, Bonar Bridge (On golf links)
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze socketed axe with a broken loop on one side, two mouldings round the mouth of the socket, and brownish green patina, from Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 950 - 750 BC
  
• 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. p 74. 
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