Western Zhou Dynasty Human Head Axe

Age: Western Zhou, Grade 1

Specifications: Total length 14.3cm, blade width 7.8cm, inner length 2.6cm, inner width 3.3cm, weight 450g

Excavation site: Unearthed from Tomb No. 13 of the National Cemetery in Zhuyuangou, Baoji City in 1980

Weapon. The body of the axe is rectangular, the tongue-shaped blade is relatively wide, and the blade shows signs of wear. The socket has two teeth at both ends, and the rectangular straight inside is decorated with two symmetrical animal heads near the blade. The main body is decorated with snake patterns. The two sides of the main body are roundly carved with tigers looking back. The inner two sides are decorated with snake patterns. The snake body is bent above the socket. The upper teeth of the socket are connected to a human head. The human head is hollow, and there is a wooden shaft connected to the axe body. The human head has a square face, bangs in front of the forehead, and braids behind the head. The eight braid nodes are clearly visible. The facial shape of the human head is honest and simple. There are square holes on both sides of the neck to fix the shaft. There is a wooden shaft remaining in the socket. There is a rectangular rivet hole on the shaft, and a wooden tenon is left in the rivet hole. A wooden wedge is clamped in the tenon. This human head axe with a socket is a fine weapon from the Shang and Zhou dynasties.