Macehead, Dounby Farm, Mainland, Orkney

3D Model

This late Neolithic (c.3200-2300 BC) ‘pestle’ macehead was found in a stone burial cist while clearing land for agriculture at Dounby Farm, Sandwick, Mainland, in 1838. The date of the grave is not known and it is possible that this artefact was buried as an heirloom in the early Bronze Age. Only two maceheads have been found in graves in Orkney, making this an exceptionally rare discovery.

This macehead is one of the most exquisite prehistoric artefacts from Orkney, demonstrating precise craftsmanship and a fine surface polish, even within the perforation. The highly banded rock is Lewisian Gneiss that must have been imported to Orkney from the north west coast of Scotland or the Outer Hebrides.

This macehead was donated to Stromness Museum in 1838, within a year of the founding of the Orkney Natural History Society.

Weight: 287.7g. L: 77.1mm, B: 47.3mm, T: 44mm.

Stromness Museum A 187.