Elcho Bronze Age sword
Last updated | 10/09/2010
This Late Bronze Age Sword was found in the River Tay, opposite
Elcho, by the fishermen of Darry Island. The sword was later
presented to the Perth Literary and Antiquarian Society by the
Provost of Perth, in 1854. It is one of six swords known to have
come from the Elcho-Newburgh stretch of the river Tay. The swords
were probably thrown into the river deliberately. This may have
been to celebrate a victory over enemies, to appease or thank a
river goddess or perhaps for a combination of these and other
reasons. An important consequence would have been that the quantity
of fine metalwork in society would have been reduced and therefore
its use controlled.
