_521 WHM100: Prehistory "Our fascinating archaeology collection includes ancient pottery and metalwork, arrowheads and stonework, salvage from the wreck of a Spanish Galleon, and clothing and artefacts from a 1500-year-old crannog site. Highlights from our collection have been showcased in this gallery. Don\u2019t miss the 3D model of our Neolithic stone axe, found near Roy Bridge in 1876, or our late Bronze Age gold armlets unearthed by a crofter who dreamt he would find treasure if he dug in a certain place." museums@eu-lac.org English Collection TEXT "Our fascinating archaeology collection includes ancient pottery and metalwork, arrowheads and stonework, salvage from the wreck of a Spanish Galleon, and clothing and artefacts from a 1500-year-old crannog site. Highlights from our collection have been showcased in this gallery. Don\u2019t miss the 3D model of our Neolithic stone axe, found near Roy Bridge in 1876, or our late Bronze Age gold armlets unearthed by a crofter who dreamt he would find treasure if he dug in a certain place." "This Neolithic stone axe was found at Keppoch near Roy Bridge in 1876. It came into the museum\u2019s collection in 1936. Axes were adapted for many uses and vary in size and shape. The axe has been ground and polished, a new technique introduced during the Neolithic period." Physical Object "" image/jpeg Fin Macrae Still Image "This prehistoric sword would have been a lethal tool of combat. It is a Bronze Age sword and one of the earliest examples of craftmanship in metal by mankind. It was found at Lochdar, South Uist in 1865. Bronze Age swords appeared from around the 17th century BC, however, this object was likely forged in the final centuries of the 2nd millennium when the swords became common place in Britain. They were replaced by iron swords during the early part of the 1st millennium BC. The sword is part of the Carmichael Collection. Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912) was a pioneering Victorian folklorist who collected extensively throughout the Highlands and Islands. Parts of the Carmichael Collection was gifted to the museum, while his archive is in the care of Edinburgh University." Physical Object "This beaker was found in a cist in a gravel knoll above the Nether Lochaber Hotel, Corran near Fort William in February 1889. It is very special as it dates to the Beaker period, around 4,000 years ago. The beaker was immersed in water when first found to prevent it disintegrating on exposure to the air. It promptly fell to pieces in the water and had to be reconstructed by the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. It was repaired with plaster of paris. The beaker was presented to Maclean of Ardgour and remained in the MacLean family until it was gifted to the West Highland Museum in 1990." Physical Object "This is a rim and shoulder of a late Bronze Age hanging bowl that has been spun from a single piece of bronze. There is one escutcheon with a ring that would have been used for suspending the bowl. Hanging bowls are a bit of a mystery because their intended function has not been established. This bowl was recovered from a kitchen midden at Castle Tioram sometime before 1928." Physical Object "This pair of late Bronze Age gold pennular armlets were found at Kilmallie, just outside Fort William. The fascinating story behind them relates to their discovery. In 1871 a crofter had a dream that he would find treasure if he dug at a certain spot. He dug at the spot and found these wonderful gold armlets. The crofter presented the armlets to the landowner, Cameron of Lochiel, who in return allowed the crofter to live on his land rent free for life. The armlets are on long term loan to the museum." Physical Object 56.81762005887159 -5.111020356416703