from Achnacarron, Islay, Inner Hebrides Ach-na-carrnan

Axehead

This bronze axehead was found at Achnacarron on Islay in the Inner Hebrides. It dates from between 800 and 700 BC.

The socketed axehead has a squarish lip and flat sides. The faces are decorated with five vertical ribs below a narrow horizontal moulding. A wooden handle would have fitted into the axehead's socket. A thong could also have attached the axehead to the socket through the loop.

The range of metal objects expanded during the 2nd millennium BC. A development in the form of axeheads from flat axeheads to ones with flanges, can be seen. In the 1st millennium BC, socketed axeheads are the most common form.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-104-709-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.DE 120
Date:	800 - 700 BC Between 800 and 700 BC
Material:	Bronze; squarish lip; flat sides; faces decorated with five vertical ribs surmounted by a horizontal moulding
Dimensions:	4.00" x 2.35"
What:	Axe, socketed
Subject:
Who:	Mrs Iain Ramsay Mrs Lucy Ramsay (Probable collector)
Where:	Scotland, Argyll, Islay, Achnacarran
Event:
Description:	Bronze socketed axe with a squarish lip and flat sides, the faces decorated with five vertical ribs surmounted by a horizontal moulding, from Achnacarron, Islay, Argyll, 800 - 700 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 67.
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