National museum of scotland

[zeanluc]

Parmi la collection de pointes de flèches néolithiques du museum of scotland à Edimboug figure cette pointe enchassée avec la description suivante :

This quartz arrowhead may have been used as a charm, possibly in the Highlands. It is mounted in an oval gold and enamel pendant container. This example may have been made for the Scottish 19th-century collector, Lady John Scott.

The Gaelic phrase on the reverse, 'Saighead Shith', means 'Fairy Arrow'.

Prehistoric arrowheads were often believed to be 'elfbolts' or allows shot by the fairies and harming animals and people. Animals seized with sudden illness, for example, were believed to have been shot by the fairies with such arrows as these. Consequently, they would, when found, be mounted and worn as a counter-charm.