Find Spot record 835 - AIRD, SOUTH DELL, LEWIS

NB46SE 1 4784 6180.

Two Ewart Park-type (J D Cowen 1933) leaf-shaped bronze sword blades, dating from the late eighth century BC, were found, one in August 1891 and the other in February 1892, within a foot or two of each other, during peat digging on the croft of Murdo Maciver at Aird, South Dell. The swords are in the NMAS (DL 43 and 44).
J Evans 1881; J M Coles 1962; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1893; J D Cowen 1933.

The find-spot of the sword blades, at NB 4784 6180, was indicated on the ground by Mr Smith (A Smith, 3 Aird, Barvas, Lewis), who was shown the position by the finder.
Surveyed at 1/10,000.
Visited by OS (N K B) 15 June 1969.

558. (Ewart Park type - Northern unclassified). Found by Murdo McIver on his croft in February 1892 within 50cm of no. 587 which was found a few months earlier by the same finder, while digging peat on his croft in August 1891. Declared Treasure Trove in 1893. Lower half of hilt and upper part of sword blade. Length 24.7cm, shoulder width 4.31 cm; badly pitted except for hilt, where there is a thin khaki patina; rivets ?:4, none in situ. NMAS DL 44.
587. (Ewart Park type - Northern step 2). Complete sword with wooden or bone grip still attached; length 60.7cm, terminal width 3.6cm, shoulder width 5.3cm, maximum blade width 5cm; reasonable condition, edge still quite sharp. Rich mid-brown patina. The organic grip has shrunk slightly; rivets 2:2, one in situ embedded in organic handle. NMAS DL 43.
C B Burgess and I Colquhoun 1988.

J Evans, 1881, Ancient bronze implements, weapons and ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, figs. 358-62 (Bibliographic reference). SWE9404.

PSAS, 1892-3, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 38-41 (Bibliographic reference). SWE10960.

J D Cowen, 1933, Archaeol Ael, 185 (Bibliographic reference). SWE14606.

W Henderson, 1937-8, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 172 (Bibliographic reference). SWE3226.

J M Coles, 1959-60a, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 85 (Bibliographic reference). SWE1435.

C B and I Burgess and Colquhou, 1988, Prahistoriche Bronzefunde, 98, no. 558 and 101, no. 587 (Bibliographic reference). SWE15125.