Axe (AN1973.1035)

Axe

This object is an axe (AN1973.1035) made of iron. It is a copy of an iron axe found in a grave at Reary in Caithness, Scotland. This was a Viking period grave which also contained a ring-head pin, shield boss, sickle, knife and whetstone.

This axe was probably designed to be used as a weapon, but axes were also everyday tools, used for tasks such as chopping wood.

The Vikings and Anglo-Saxons were known for their use in battle of large axes called Dane-axes. These axes have large heads and were mounted on long shafts about 1-1.5m long. They were then swung round at speed. Examples of these axes in use can be seen on the Bayeux Tapestry.

Close this window