Name/Title
Axe HeadEntry/Object ID
L.2021.201Description
Socketed axe of bronze, with three ribs and a loop, late Bronze Age, found at Eildon Mid Hill, near Melrose.
Small casting flaw in collar; angular collar, horizontal moulding, broad loop, straight sidesUse
Axes were used to cut, shape and split wood. They could also be used as weapons and for ritual purposes.Context
A collection of 7 socketed axes were found buried in Mid Eildon Hill, the burial of these axes may have been ritualistic.Collection
National Museums ScotlandAcquisition
Accession
X.DQ 413Source (if not Accessioned)
National Museums ScotlandNotes
LoanMade/Created
Time Period
Late Bronze AgeNotes
950 - 800 BCEthnography
Cultural Region
Continent
EuropeCountry
Scotland* Untyped Cultural Region
United KingdomLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
AxNomenclature Class
Woodworking T&ENomenclature Category
Category 04: Tools & Equipment for MaterialsExhibition
Permanent ExhibitionInterpretative Labels
Label Type
Object LabelLabel
The Land of our Ancestors.
Bronze axe-heads.
Rome did not encounter an empty landscape. This hoard of beautiful bronze axe-heads (950-800BC) was discovered on the slopes of Eildon Mid Hill in 1982. Their quality shows us that sophisticated people were living here long before Rome began conquering its neighbours around the Mediterranean.
