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The Bronze Age

Axes & Maces

Socketed Axehead, Kirkton

Period:
Bronze Age
Description:

A small socketed axe with a curved blade, worn with slight hooks at each side. The axehead is hollow with a rim at the squared butt, with cast lines visible on both sides.

 

Late Bronze Age socketed axes

 

Socketed axes were made from more than one mould. The parts of the mould which could have been made from stone, clay or bronze, were fitted together and bound. A clay core was suspended inside to form the socket. The molten metal was poured into the mould and allowed to cool. The mould was then opened and the casting taken out and trimmed. The clay core was then removed from the socket. As there are few late Bronze Age finds in Dumfries and Galloway it is possible that the forms developed during the middle Bronze Age continued in production in this area.

Place of Discovery:
Wellington Place, Kirkton
Dimensions:
length: 60 mm width (blade): 45 mm length (socket): 28 mm width (socket): 22 mm
Source:
Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura
Accession number:
1980.114
Digital Number:
RPD0086