sword

Bronze Ewart Park sword, part of a hoard of 4 swords found together. 19th-century inscription on blade at hilt. Inscription: ONE OF FOUR FOUND IN A PEAT MOSS NEAR HADDO HOUSE AND GIVEN BY LORD ABERDEEN TO MR THOMSON BANCHORY 27th SEPT 1858

Thomson, Alexander

Early: -1200 Late: -600 Period: LBA

Thomson, Alexander Mr

metal copper.alloy lead.bronze bronze

L: 651 mm W: 48 mm

Europe Scotland North.East.Scotland Haddo.House Methlick Aberdeenshire

Leaf-bladed bronze swords were in use from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. They were cast, with the blade and tang in one, and with rivet holes for the attachment of a horn or wooden hilt. They were manufactured locally by skilled smiths using continental prototypes. The style varies, but the most common in Scotland is the Ewart Park type. Bronze swords are often found in hoards, frequently in wet places, such as bogs or lakesides. During the later 19th century a hoard including four later Bronze Age leaf-shaped swords was found near Haddo House, Aberdeenshire. This is one of the four swords, and was given to Alexander Thomson (1792-1868) a scholar and antiquarian, agricultural improver, philanthropist, prison reformer and leading participant in the Disruption. The sword is of lead-bronze and of the Ewart Park type. It has a broad blade and is complete except for chips on the blade and the tip. There are two oval rivet holes on the shoulder of the hilt and two at the hand-hold. It has been engraved on the upper part of the blade, 'One of Four found in a Peat-moss near Haddo House and given by LORD ABERDEEN to Mr THOMSON, BANCHORY. 27th Septr 1858' and was on display in Thomson's museum at his home at Banchory House.