Summary

Carnyx head of sheet bronze, from Deskford, Banffshire, 80 - 200 AD

Accession Number

IL.2011.1.1

Other references

Original description

Boar's head of sheet bronze described in Proc. VII p. 342. Facsimile exchanged for the original. [On insert] Banff, 4th July 1947. Received from the Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, replica of bronze Boar's Head which has been lent to said Museum by Banff Town Council. FJH note, April 1996: Identified in 1959 as the head of a carnyx by Professor Piggott. Updated from SCRAN full data set, December 1998. MoS description: Bloodshed, weapons and heroes. The war trumpet. (1) Carnyx head, Deskford. 80 - 200 AD. SCRAN Caption: This brass and bronze head of a carnyx - an Iron Age battle trumpet - was found at Deskford in Banffshire. It is the only surviving carnyx head from Britain. The carnyx was used sometime between 80 and 200 AD, and buried as a sacrifice to the gods. The head resembles that of a wild boar, a symbol of strength and fearlessness. It originally had a wooden tongue, which could move as the trumpet was played and carried. The rest of the carnyx - a curved bell with a crest and a long tube - was not found. Carnyxes were used in battle to inspire the warriors, as well as at ceremonial events such as feasts, weddings and funerals. The Romans who faced the carnyx in battle found it so distinctive and strange that they made it an emblem of their opponents. Date: Between 80 and 200 AD. Material: Sheet bronze and brass. Dimensions: Length: 27.5 cm. References - Calder, Jenni (ed). The Wealth of a Nation. Edinburgh & Glasgow: NMS & Drew, 1989, p 100.; Piggott S. The Carnyx in Early Iron Age Europe. Antiquaries Journal 39 (1959), pp 19-32, pl. viii, ix.

Associated person/people (e.g. excavator/former collection)

None

Discovery / field collection

Date of discovery

Not recorded

Method (e.g. excavation)

Not recorded

Place (i.e. location of discovery)

Deskford, Banffshire, Scotland, Northern Europe

Acquisition

Acquisition date

1947-02-22

Acquisition source (i.e. name of donor)

Aberdeenshire Council Education, Learning and Leisure, Aberdeenshire Heritage

Acquisition source role (e.g. donor)

LENDER

Image