Battle axehead

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This stone battle axehead of granite was found near Stirling. Although it could have functioned as a weapon, its main purpose was to be a symbol of power. It dates from between 1750 and 1400 BC.

The battle axehead is of weathered granite. It has a broad blade and flat butt. The cutting edge is blunt.

Battle axe use was adopted from the Continent in the centuries before 2000 BC. Battle axes remained a popular status symbol for around 1000 years. Their heads were often made of beautiful and hard-to-work stone, and their shape changed according to fashions over the centuries.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-687-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 62
• Date: Between 1750 and 1400 BC
  
• Material: Granite; cutting edge blunt; weathered
  Axe, battle
  
• Dimensions: 4.13" x 2.69"
  
• What: Axe, battle
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Stirling
  
• Event:
• Description: Battle-axe of weathered granite, from near Stirling
  
• References:
  • Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies, Volume 2. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 67), 1988. 
  • Fenton, M.B. The petrological identification of stone battle axes and axe-hammers from Scotland. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 67), 1988, pp 92-132. 
  • Roe, F.E.S. The Battle-Axe series in Britain. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 32 (1966), 199-245. 
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