Introduction | Research | People | Tools

STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHS

AX (TYA 283: 23)

Type: Working ax, iron.

Use: Working of wood.

Site: Raisio, Ihala, Siiri cremation cemetery I.

Period: Viking Age

Dating: 800-1025 A.D.

Photographer: Arto Korhonen.

The ax was the most important tool for rough working of wood. Blades of axes have been discovered in men´s graves but also frequently in the Northern and Eastern Finland, where burials are rare. These axes are remnants of wilderness hunters and Lappish people.

This ax represents the so called "Straight-bladed Finnish axes". They are a common type of axes, which was in use the whole Viking period. They were mostly working tools, because the proper battle-axes had a wider and stronger blade.

According to folklore, axes, like other bladed iron tools, had magical powers. They were used in magical rituals in order to repel diseases and noxious and predatory animals and evil supernatural powers.

Sources:

• Kivikoski 1973: Abb. 874-883.
• Lehtosalo-Hilander 1982: 51-54.
• Rantasalo 1912: s.v. kirves.
• Rantasalo 1930: s.v. kirves.
• Wuolijoki 1972: 22, 23.

Archive numbers of items:

• TYA 546: 75.

Other related topics:

• Iron
• Tools and utensils
• Wood-working.

Coordinates: x=90, y=65, z=17.13, r=39/60, 5th layer.

Introduction | Research | People | Tools