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Shuna Sword

Contributed by Kilmartin

The Shuna Sword appears to have played a major part in a religious or spiritual ceremony - one of three such weapons found upright, point down as though stabbed into the ground, in an area of bog on the island of Shuna. It is of a type only ever made in England, making it evidence both of well established trade routes to other areas of Britain and of a valuable and significant sacrifice. The swords were almost certainly an offering, made by members of a culture with an advanced sense of ritual and a well-developed religion. Perhaps, by thrusting these swords into the bog, their owners hoped to communicate with its spirit, or to appease it. It is evidence of wealth and culture in the inhabitants of the region.

This object has kindly been loaned to Kilmartin House Museum by the Fife Museums Service.

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Location

Isle of Shuna - Mid Argyll

Culture
Period

800BC

Theme
Size
Material

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