Spynie Palace
Socketed Axehead (Bronze)
Site Name Spynie Palace
Classification Socketed Axehead (Bronze)
Alternative Name(s) Spynie Castle
Canmore ID 16464
Site Number NJ26NW 14
NGR NJ 230 658
NGR Description NJ c. 230 658
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/16464
- Council Moray
- Parish Spynie
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Moray
- Former County Morayshire
NJ26NW 14 c. 230 658
A bag-shaped, looped and socketed bronze axe found near Spynie Palace is in Elgin Museum (1868.9). The original donation list says 'Two bronze axes found near the Castle of Spynie' (see also NJ26NW 17), while a later list says 'Bronze axes (two) one found near the Castle of Spynie, the other looped and socketed - presented by Wm Ferguson, Elgin'. A now-lost label for a socketed axe (this is the only one in Elgin Museum) gives the provenance as on site of railway near Spynie Castle. This may be the axe referred to in 1888, though it is implied that this was unprovenanced.
J Anderson and G F Black 1888; W Henderson 1938; J M Coles 1962; I C Walker 1974.
(Socketed axe: Keithfield variant of Dowris type). Single find. Socketed axe, corroded, pitted, green, partly trimmed, three haft ribs on socket faces from bottom to mouth; length 88mm, mouth 30 x 40mm, cutting edge 66mm, weight 266 gms - Elgin Mus. (1868.9).
PK Schmidt and CB Burgess 1981.