I was wondering what types of axes existed during the Migration Period. I am aware of the francisca, but that seems to be an exclusively war object (not that you couldn't chop wood with it, if you wanted to). I believe the Petersen type A and B axes are said to belong to the end of the Migration Period, but that they existed into the Viking Age as well. Anyone know of any non-francisca axes from the Frankish or Alamannic lands? How about in Scandinavia? Thanks.

Hi Myles

Certainly not a 'camp' iten, but still an interesting axe head which I thought might be of interest
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highligh...ammer.aspx

best
Dave

IMHO, this thread is GREAT. We oft times "neglect" to look @ the "tools".that were "critical" to everyday life.

We also, sometimes forget that these "Unitarian" tools were also used as primary Weapons through out history from the "stone age" to "modern times"


As an example, "hammer/axes" were very popular in the era that I do research in ( 1800s ( Amer) ) In fact they were were used as "camp axes" ( Short handled -building shelter, butchering, etc, etc., ) Plus very often carried/used used for personal defense.

Jack

Hi

The axe-hammer on the B.M.link I posted is often said to be derivitive from steppe cultures,theAvars and Allans are often named. Both the decorated axe-hammer and the axe that Mark posted are both pretty much unique finds within the British Isles for this period.

Hopefully if all has gone well, below are a some axe heads from the Vendel / Valsgarde inhumations.

Obviously that never worked!! Thank to my mate, fellow forumite Bruce Tordoff for helping upload these images...cheers buddy

cheers
Dave

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Hi Dave,

Great pics thx!
Question, in the 4th picture, there is a sweet lookin three-pronged tool with a tang that I would guess is for a handle. Can you provide any more info about this tool? It almost looks like a 3-pronged garden rake.

The chain is also totally awesome too.
Thx, Ted

Hi Ted

I believe that it may be a 'flesh hook' probably used in cooking to remove meat cuts from a broiling pot or such similair..but that is just my opinon and it may have been used for something completely different.

best
Dave

I've seen one example of a very modern looking woodchopping axe from a viking museum exhibition catalogue I have access to. Looks exactly like the modern generic version being sold today. I'll have another look in that catalogue tonight and see if I can get it scanned and posted. Maybe not migration age, but just after it. I'll check out the dating.

Some of those ax heads look very much like some modern Gransfors Brooks log building mortise axes.

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/produkter/bi...utyxa.html

and these modern forest axes

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

Things don't seem to change much when you've got a good design eh?

Hi Ted

Sorry for the delayed reply.The image is an illustration from ' Graffaltet vid Vendel' by H.J. Stolpe and T.J Arne 1912.
Unfortunetly I only have the copy as a pdf and can not relate the scale provided to actual size. The implement is not unique and can be found in other graves from the area. When Iget some time I'll have a look at the other Vendel/Valsgarde books and see if there is some indication of scale.

best
Dave

Thx David!

Dave, this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!