dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nun Monkton, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 98.3 mm
Thickness: 12.7 mm
Weight: 240 g
Description: A copper alloy flat axe dating from the early Bronze Age period. The axe is complete at 89.3mm long, 51.8mm wide and 12.7mm thick. It has a rounded cutting edge and straight sides that taper to the butt which is also rounded. There are two chips in the butt. The centre of the sides are slightly thickened. This is believed to be a precaution to try and prevent the wooden handle splitting when hafted. The main faces of the axe are slightly roughened, with some raised areas. This is probably a result of slight corrosion, though the axe is in generally good condition. The axe has a mid-green patina which is deeper in colour on the cutting edge and the butt. This style of axe, a flat axe, was the first sort of metal axe to be produced, and it’s similarities with stone axes are obvious. Similar examples can be seen in “Guide to the Collection Illustrating the Prehistory of Wales” by W F Grimes (1939).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Slag (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Old Romney, Shepway, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 63.6 g
Description: Six pieces of copper or copper alloy slag or metalworking waste.    
Notes: These were found in the same field, but there is no indication that they were found in close proximity or indeed are of the same date.  But query potential BA dispersed hoard?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Slag (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bromley Common and Keston, Bromley, Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.8 mm
Thickness: 8.92 mm
Weight: 36.6 g
Description: Fragment of copper alloy slag or metal working waste.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bromley Common and Keston, Bromley, Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23.44 mm
Thickness: 5.16 mm
Weight: 9.5 g
Description: Fragment of cast copper alloy double edged blade, probably part of a Bronze age rapier blade.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 57.91 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 57.91 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 9.55 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 9.55 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 17.95 mm
Thickness: 4.64 mm
Weight: 4.96 g
Description: The worn and pitted copper alloy fragment of a Bronze Age knife or sword blade. The fragment is elliptical in section.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Horsley, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.16 mm
Weight: 1.33 g
Description: A small fragment from the blade of a copper alloy axe, probably of socketed form. The fragment has a rounded blade and, in cross section, two sides which meet at a point. Grinding striations are also visible.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Three small and irregular fragments of copper alloy casting waste. The fragments weigh 6.17 grams, 2.73 grams and 1.86 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 5.76 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 5.76 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 7.44 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 7.44 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Frisby on the Wreake, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 7.21 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy blade fragment, 36mm long, 17mm wide and 3mm thick. The object is in fair condition with a green patina and weighs 7.21 grams. The object is rectangular in form with a convex section. it is 3mm thick in its centre, tapering to about 1mm at the blade edge, these are very badly damaged and uneven.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Papworth Everard, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41 mm
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy knife dating to the Mid to Late Bronze Age. The fragment comprises a small portion of the blade and tang. The blade is rectangular in shape and lentoidal in section. It possesses a central vertical ridge along its length. A corroded rectangular tang extends from one end. The fragment measures 41mm in length and a maximum of 23mm in width. A similar, but larger example, is illustrated by A. Macgregor (1987; pp. 110; no. 11.72), who states that knives cut from larger pieces are relatively common in this period.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Walesby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 74.2 mm
Thickness: 23.1 mm
Weight: 89.4 g
Description: An incomplete copper-alloy Late Bronze Age socketed axe. Much of the mouth is missing and the cutting edge is somewhat chipped. The axe seems to have had a square opening with a small ridged rim around the mouth. It had three raised midribs running down both faces and there are small casting lines along both the sides. One side has a small, broken knob indicating the original presence of a loop at that point. The axe is quite worn and much of the original surface is missing. The remaining areas have a smooth, dark, brownish patina. The other areas of the surface of the metal are rougher and have a green-brown colouring.

Length 74.2mm, width (across cutting edge) 36.4mm, width (at break – just where the attachment loop would have been) 26.9mm, depth (at break) 23.1mm, weight 89.4g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gaddesby, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight: 10.54 g
Description: Bronze Age? copper alloy casting sprue, 20mm long,, 17mm wide and 14mm thick. The object is in a fair condition with a green patina and weighs 10.54grams. The object consists of an oval uppper surface with tapering sides which terminate in two circular sectioned protrusions. These are formed by excess metal from a mould, possibly for an axe?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 99.76 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight: 135.5 g
Description: Incomplete cast copper alloy Bronze Age palstave axehead.  Unlooped shield pattern type of very slender construction.  There has been considerable post-depositional loss of the blade tips and cutting edge along with total loss of the butt and upper septum portions of the axehead.  The item has a notable casting seam.  The patination of the item is a rich mid-green although there has been some considerable weathering leaving the outer surface pitted and eroded in patches.

The item dates to the Middle Bronze age and overlaps into two of the traditional dating phases of Acton and Taunton thereby placing this c. 1500-1300 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.57 mm
Thickness: 8.4 mm
Weight: 11.3 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy Bronze Age spearhead tip Prominent circular sectioned mid rib with bevelled step on wings. The break is ancient and the weathering considerable. Probably middle Bronze Age in date, c1500-1100 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.21 mm
Thickness: 8.71 mm
Weight: 13.57 g
Description: Late Bronze age socketed axe cast in copper alloy. Only the blade end of the axe survives. Rectangular in cross section across the socket, and triangular in plan. The socket ends 15.98mm before the blade edge. The breaks are old and worn. The blade end and edges are damaged, with the original surface of the metal removed. The axe has a mid green patina. The surviving section is 27.21mm long. It is 17.73mm wide and 8.71mm thick at the broken end, the width increasing to 24.75mm at the blade end, with a thickness of 3.34mm. It weighs 13.57 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 6.07 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 6.08 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 10.56 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 10.56 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 12.82 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 12.82 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 48.32 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 48.32 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 9.57 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 9.57 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 1.9 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 1.90 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 8.86 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste. The fragment is irregular with a pitted surface and weighs 8.86 grams. Casting waste is difficult to date, and may date from the Bronze Age to Post Medieval periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kington St. Michael, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.4 mm
Thickness: 17.7 mm
Weight: 50.14 g
Description: Undatable copper alloy probable casting sprue. It is oval in shape, measuring 37.4x26.6mm and is max.17.7mm thick (at the centre). It weighs 50.14g.

The underside is rough and uneven while the opposite surface is rounded and smooth. At the centre, longitudinally, is a 22.5mm long scar, which would presuambly have fed into the mould.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 86.9 mm
Weight: 146.2 g
Description: Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe of South Eastern Type and of Ewart Park metalworking phase, corresponding to Needham's (1996) period 7, c. 950-750BC.



The axe is near-complete, missing only the loop and has a length of 86.9mm and has a weight of 146.2g. The mouth is comparatively square with an external width (between sides) of 37.0mm (27.9mm internal) and breadth (between faces) of 34.1mm (25.8mm internal). The socket has a depth of 72.4mm with no evidence of internal ribs. The mouth is uneven and appears to have had a prominent rounded mouth moulding. The axe has a weaker moulding beneath the mouth. The loop springs from the top of the lower moulding, and had a length of 22.2mm. The sides of the axe are straight and parallel, until they approach the blade, where they diverge to produce a moderately expanded blade edge. The blade edge is moderately curved with a slightly eroded width of 36.0mm. The unlooped side has a slight angle across its thickness and the casting seam is just about evident. There is no discernible decoration on the faces. The axe currently has much of the surface surviving with a mid brown patina. The surface however is deteriorating and is powdery to the touch with areas of active bronze corrosion beneath.
Notes: South Eastern type axes are often associated with the Carp's Tongue complex of North West France (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 217), which heavily influences hoard composition in Lowland England. The type is also well represented throughout Britain and is present in the Llantwit tradition of south east Wales, represented within the eponymous hoard and elsewhere.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1700 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Itchen Valley, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35 mm
Thickness: 12.35 mm
Weight: 45.85 g
Description: A fragment from the lower blade of a cast copper-alloy Bronze Age axehead. The fragment consists of the cutting edge in full and part of the blade defined by roughly straight cut, possibly deliberate. From the blade (W.: 21.4mm) the axe flares to a maximum width of 34.75mm.  At the break the fragment is solid, suggesting that it did not come from a socketed axehead; there is no obvious casting seam.  The whole is pitted and corroded with a dark green patina and areas of lighter bronze disease.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Darenth, Dartford, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56.11 mm
Thickness: 18.89 mm
Weight: 126.8 g
Description: 
Fragment of copper bun ingot, probably of Late Bronze Age date.

Notes: Image PAK 202/150 would not upload to database.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: St. Donats, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.8 mm
Weight: 35 g
Description: Copper alloy single-runner casting jet of uncertain date, possibly Middle to Late Bronze Age, c.1500-750BC The jet is irregular and conical-oval in shape, with a length at the top of 34.8mm and a width of 23.3mm. The jet has a weight of 35.0g and an overall depth of 17.4mm. At the base of the jet is a projecting stub or single-runner (19mm x 12mm x 7mm), which would have fed into the mould. The jet has an irregular surface with a dark green patina.
Notes: 
Casting jets are non diagnostic and are difficult to date outside of their archaeological context. The irregular surface suggests a clay mould-gate and the single runner may suggest the casting of some tool or weapon, other than an axe.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote, Telford and Wrekin, Telford and Wrekin (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 87.5 mm
Thickness: 39.5 mm
Weight: 166.57 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy socketed axe, dating to the Late Bronze Age, between 1150 – 800 BC (length: 87.5mm; width at blade: 45.5mm; width at socket: 36.5mm; thickness: 39.5mm; weight: 166.57g).  This artefact could be further classified as dating from the Ewart Park phase, between 1000 – 800 BC.

The axe is sub-rectangular in plan with a hollow triangular section.  At one end of the artefact, the open socket is square with a moulded and lipped edge protruding outwards from all four sides.  The inside of the socket is completely empty.  To either side and immediately below the lipped top of the axe, there are three vertical ribs protruding upwards on each face, with four alternating recessed indentations.  Each rib is approximately 33.5mm in length and 3.5mm in width.  Additionally, each rib tapers inwards slightly as they continue down the artefact’s length whilst becoming less prominent and worn as they seem to blend in with the axe’s expanding blade.  To one side of the artefact, there is a single and integrally cast copper alloy loop (length of loop: 24mm; width of loop: 11mm; thickness of loop: 9mm; length of oval loop hole: 8.5mm; width of loop hole: 5.5mm).  The blade tip curves outwards along the outside edge to either side of the artefact with the blade’s cutting edge still intact.  Additionally, a prominent casting seam is visible down the length of the axe’s sides, running from the lipped open socket to the blade tip.  Although this artefact does appear to have been possibly coated in a substance, the axe is in a slightly worn but good condition with a very dark brown patina.  Some areas of the artefact (near the blade) have small patches where the original patina has corroded and there is a probable scrap/ scratch on the artefact’s side.

A similar example is illustrated in Evans, J, 1881, ‘Ancient Bronze Implements of Great Britain’, pages 117-8, fig 124, line 9, which was found at Reach Fen, Cambridgeshire.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sheriffhales, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 92 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 31.3 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy dirk, dating to the Middle Bronze Age, between 1500 - 1150 BC (length: 92mm; width at shoulder: 30.5mm; thickness at mid blade: 4mm; overall weight: 31.3g).


The artefact is sub-triangular in plan and is mostly flat in section. The butt and shoulders of the dirk are incomplete with the top completely missing. One rivet holes is partially visible to one side, although two rivets would have been originally visible to the left and right when the artefact was complete. The sides of the blade below the shoulders curve/ taper inwards to start form the blade, where the slightly bevelled edges are still visible on both sides of the artefact. The dirk breaks prematurely at the opposing end, although the artefact would not have continued in length for much longer when complete. Overall, the dirk is in a worn, corroded and pitted condition with a patchy dark green patina. There are numerous pits on the patina all over the artefact and much of the corrosion is present at the blade edges and broken tip.


Similar dirks are illustrated in Savory, H, N, 1980, 'Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections' in the National Museum of Wales, pages 113 & 176, fig 28, ref nos 243-4, found at Llanfair Clydogau, Wales and Newchurch, North Wales respectively.


Other examples are illustrated in Watson, P, J, 1993, 'Catalogue of British and European Prehistoric Metalwork in Birmingham City Museums', page 10, ref nos 82-3, found at Middlesex, Thames and in Kent at the Isle of Thanet respectively.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote, Telford and Wrekin, Telford and Wrekin (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 73 mm
Thickness: 9.5 mm
Weight: 137.2 g
Description: A complete cast bronze flat axehead, dating to the Early Bronze Age between 2150 - 1500 BC (length: 73mm; width at blade tip: 46mm; width at butt: 21.5mm; thickness in the centre: 9.5mm; weight: 137.2g).

The axehead is sub-triangular in plan with a convex section. The parallel sides, which are slightly uneven, expand/ taper outwards towards a blunded but complete curved blade tip.  There is no decoration on the artefact, which is in a worn and corroded condition with little surviving of the dark brown patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Newtown Linford, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 60 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight: 37.48 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy axe tip, 60mm long, 24mm wide and 7mm thick. The object is in fair condition with a green patina and weighs 37.48grams.  The axe has a rounded edge which is 1mm thick and is still sharp. behind the blade the axe widens sharply and quickly becomes rectangular in section, with a rectangular recess. Its sides taper in sharply, one side has an inwards curve whilst the other turns sharply inwards, creating a narrow triangular protrusion. Its hard to say whether this is original or is damage?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Conwy (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 77 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight: 105.7 g
Description: Fragment of a Bronze Age palstave axe, it has broken just after the septum reaches the blade. All the edges are worn so the break must have occurred in antiquity. The axe has a tear drop-shaped side view, it is flattest at the butt end. The flange is 8mm deep. Along the side of the flange a faint casting seam can be seen. The butt is rounded.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: GUILDFORD, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.65 mm
Thickness: 3.35 mm
Weight: 4.98 g
Description: A possible fragment from the tip of a Bronze Age sword. The fragment is 3.35mm thick and thins out towards the edges. One end is broken and the other is rounded; there are opposing notches on either side.
Notes: It is possible that this is a broken fragment which has been reused and rehafted, using the notches, as a knife.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Great Easton, Harborough, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.5 mm
Thickness: 6.7 mm
Weight: 33 g
Description: A copper alloy (bronze) fragment from the tip of the blade of a Late Bronze Age weapon, probably a sword.  The piece is trapezoidal in plan, with a rounded, convex tip, and has an elongated lozenge-shaped cross section. The surface has a rough green patina.

The object measures 35.5mm wide, 34.3mm high and 6.7mm thick. The weight is 33g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penkridge, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: 76.4 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axehead, dating to the Late Bronze Age, between 1150 – 800 BC (length: 33mm; width at blade: 51.5mm; thickness: 15mm; weight: 76.4g).

This axehead fragment is sub-trapezoidal in plan, with a triangular section and the remains of a hollow socket.  The blade end is all that remains of this axehead, with the blade tips slightly tapering outwards at the edges.  The break across the top of the blade appears to be an old one.  The blade edge is slightly incomplete.  Overall, the socketed axehead blade fragment is in a worn but fair condition with patches of the original dark green/ brown patina still remaining on either side.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -850)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Droxford, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48.95 mm
Thickness: 6.2 mm
Weight: 27.4 g
Description: A damaged fragment from a Late Bronze Age sword.  The fragment is from the upper mid-blade towards the tip, but is missing the sword's point.  As such it is broadly trapezoidal in plan and lozengiform in cross-section.  The object has bent bent and now has a shallow serpentine profile.  It has corroded to a light, dusty blue-green colour with numerous scratches and pits.  It is likely to be from the late Wilburton or, most likely, Ewart Park phases of the Bronze Age.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rivet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -850)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kings Somborne, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 12.4 mm
Diameter: 11.3 mm
Weight: 4.725 g
Description: A rivet cast in copper alloy with a circular cross-section and domed terminal.  The end opposite is slightly lipped, although not domed in the same way as typical Bronze Age rivets.  This notwithstanding, the possibility exists that the rivet is Late Bronze Age in date, coming from a sword or dirk.  The artefact has a mid-green patina with some pitting.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bradfield, Sheffield, Sheffield (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 91.6 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
Weight: 171.8 g
Description: A copper alloy socketed axehead which dates from the Bronze Age. The axehead is 91.6mm long and the socket is 42mm wide and 39mm thick externally. Both ends of the axehead are extensively chipped and damaged, and there are also chips on the body of the axehead. There is a circumferential ridge round the socket opening and beneath that three ribs run halfway down the body on the two main faces. There are casting spurs along the seams on the sides. The cutting blade widens slightly, but the damage prevents the extent of the flaring being known. There is a single loop on one side near the socket. The axehead has a deep turquoise and brown patina but with active corrosion at the damaged areas. The socketed axehead was a Late Bronze Age development. A very close parallel is number 39 on page 27 of "Catalogue of the Prehistoric Metalwork in Merseyside County Museums" by Susan Nicholson (1980).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26.2 mm
Weight: 3.1 g
Description: A fragment from a copper alloy Bronze Age axeblade (possibly socketed) Dimensions: length 26.20mm; width 3.94mm; weight 3.1g
Notes: Found during the Court Hill Rally, Segsbury 26 Aug 2007
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 760 g
Description: Shapeless lump of copper, possibly Bronze Age metal working debris.  Dimensions: weight 760g
Notes: Found during the Court Hill Rally, Segsbury 26 Aug 2007
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Greywell, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.82 mm
Diameter: 5.66 mm
Weight: 4.41 g
Description: A Bronze Age awl. The tang has a rectangular section which becomes square then widens into a circular-section before tapering to a point.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Middop, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48.2 mm
Thickness: 4.79 mm
Description: Very small cast cu-alloy flat axe dating from the 3rd millenium BC. 
The axe has not been seen by the FLO; it was reported via email and the images kindly supplied by the finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Middop, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Cast cu-alloy basal-looped spearhead dating from the Middle Bronze Age, Greenwell & Brewis Class 3a, Taunton industrial phase, c. 1400-1300BC. The spearhead is ca. 8 inches long but now broken in two. Remains of the wooden haft were still inside the socket when it was found, but subsequently taken out by the finder (see attached image).



The object was reported via email; the FLO did not see it herself. Images kindly supplied by the finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Penannular Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Gold 
Found: Fawley, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 15.3 mm
Weight: 3.72 g
Description: 
A Bronze age, plain, penannular gold ring of roughly circular cross section. One terminal is damaged revealing that the piece comprises a gold covering over a base metal core. The covering is also split in one place.

Notes: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a penannular ring from Fawley Hampshire, indicated a gold content of 77-79 %, silver content of 16-18 %, the remainder being copper. The ring has a core of copper alloy and in its current uncleaned state it weighs 3.72 grams.
Subsequent action: Declared Treasure but returned to Finder as Museum unable to acquire
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-1500 to 1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: North Thoresby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Two fragments of copper alloy casting waste. The first piece is conical, solid and may be a casting sprue, 38mm x 20mm x 18mm. The second is an irregular lump of copper alloy, 22mm x 20xx x 12mm. Both finds came out the same dug hole.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kenilworth, Warwick, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 101.5 mm
Thickness: 14.1 mm
Weight: 35.1 g
Description: A Middle Bronze Age copper alloy socketed spearhead with side loops (1500-1150BC). The blade is a pointed oval in plan with clearly defined angled edge bevels. The mid rib is curved and there is a groove running on either side of the midrib just before the flanges. Towards the base the socket are the remains of the side loops (now lost).  The edges are damaged, but overall the spearhead is in good condition, with an even, dark green patina.


The socket contains a fibrous material that appears to be wood.

Dimensions: length: 101.5mm; width: 19.8mm; thickness: 14.1mm;weight: 35.1g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cobham, Gravesham, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42.63 mm
Thickness: 21.49 mm
Weight: 86.4 g
Description: Possible fragment of copper alloy casting waste or copper ingot.  Irregular shape.  The surface is covered by a black substance.  
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1400)
Found: Wykeham, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 135 mm
Thickness: 14.24 mm
Weight: 296 g
Description: A case bronze palstave axehead of the Middle Bronze Age.

The palstave belongs to the Acton group of metalwork, and is a nearly complete specimen.  The entire axehead is 135mm in length, with a maximum width across the flanges measuring 35.2mm.  

The blade has a mid-ridge in very low relief, and the blade expands very slightly out from the centre of the head, with the blade tips expanding out from the rest of the blade very dramatically.  The edge is cresent shaped.  In length, the blade is 67.02mm, and 113.24mm thick at its base and 1.04mm thick at the edge.

The flanges expand from the top and bottom of the septum in a sub-triangular fashion, peaking nearer to the blade than the butt.  In length, each flange measures 55.3mm and is 13.24mm wide from the septum to outer edge.

The septum is 8.5mm thick, 62.79mm long from the base of the blade to the butt, and 25.08mm in height/breadth.  The butt is slightly rounded with visible casting marks.

The object has an even green patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hatton, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.5 mm
Weight: 8.5 g
Description: Fragment of a copper alloy spear dating to the middle Bronze Age.  The spear has a hollow conical main shaft with a tapering wing to either side.  The fragment is from the tip end of the spear, although the tip is missing.  The fragment has a mid-brown patina.
Notes: Recorded at the Panton rally, Lincolnshire, 7-9th Sept. 07
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Found: Hereford, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.5 mm
Thickness: 6.4 mm
Weight: 4.97 g
Description: Casting  fragment from a potential bronze side looped and socketed spear (spearhead) of Middle Bronze Age date (1500 - 1150 BC). The fragment is irregular in plan but is broadly sub-rectangular in plan with a C shaped cross section forming a hollow socket and cast side loops. The fragment narrows along its length and its cross-section changes from a shallow C section at the base to an angular U shaped section at the opposite end. The fragment is likely to be waste from a miscast with only one part of the mould being filled with bronze. The casting fragment measures 37.5mm length, has a maximum width of 13.4mm and maximum thickness of 6.4mm. It weighs 4.97 grams. 

The blade (sides and tip), and base of the spearhead is lost and the fragment has been rolled in the ploughsoil making the edges irregular. All that survives of the spear is the central part of the socket, from the base of the blade to just below the two string-like loops. One of these loops is broken; the other is 9.8mm long, 2.7mm wide and project 2.8mm. The internal dimension is 4.5 x 2.2mm. The cross section of both the loops is sub-oval. The style of this type of loop is known as ‘string’ due to the small size and nature. These two loops would have originally been used to help attach and secure the spearhead to the wooden shaft. They also may have been used as suspension loops for some form of tassel or decoration. There are no visible areas of cast or incised decoration on the spearhead

The spearhead is a mid green colour with an even (but slightly flaky) patina. The patina has been abraded in several areas and there are several areas with an unstable surface. Some of these unstable surfaces have been caused by corrosion, which has caused the metal to laminate slightly. The inner socket of the spear is a mid green black colour and has a similar flaky patina. Similar coloured patinas can be seen on Late Bronze Age axes of the South Wales type specifically around the mouths and around the decorative ribs. It is unlikely that this affect has been caused by the burial environment as the outer surface would have a similar patina. There is no evidence for the preservation of organic material within the socket. 

Similar looped spearheads have been classified by Margaret Ehrenberg as Class IV dated to the Middle Bronze Age specifically the second phase of Acton Park (2), Taunton (Cemmaes) or Pennard metalworking traditions. These phases correspond with Needham’s Period 5 (c. 1500 – 1150 BC). A direct parallel has not been found for this casting fragment, although detailed searches of Middle Bronze Age hoards and Metalworking sites may provide a good comparison.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hope, Flintshire, Flintshire (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 110 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight: 152 g
Description: A small (110mm long), unlooped palstave with a narrow blade which has only a slight splay towards the cutting edge (min. width of blade-face= 21mm, max.= 28mm). There is a single mid-rib on either face of length c.45mm which fades out c.30mm before the curved cutting edge. The blade-tips have rounded corners with no recurve. The septum is quite small (length=36mm, min. width=13mm, max.=22mm) with very slight flanges (max. height=2mm). The stop ridge is straight and one side is slightly higher than the other (width at stop-ridge=22mm). There are also traces of a casting-scar on one side. The colour of the palstave is a range of greens and browns, the surface is pitted with only a couple of small patches of the original surface surviving, one at the blade edge retains a patina and striations possibly indicative of sharpening or polishing.  It is an early palstave of the Acton Park or Taunton phase. Similar examples are one (of uncertain association) from the Acton Park Hoard itself (Lynch, Aldhouse-Green and Davies, 2000, pp104-5) and one from St Fagans, Glamorgan (Savory, 1980, pp169, no. 153).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ashford Hill with Headley, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 9.53 mm
Thickness: 6.4 mm
Weight: 1.4 g
Description: Cast copper-alloy Bronze Age Bead.  The bead is roughly bi-conical in shape with a slightly raised flat ridge running around the circumference.  The central hole as a diameter of 5.6mm.

Beads of this type were produced in gold and copper-alloy during the Bronze Age.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hawkhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 146 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight: 260 g
Description: 
Cast copper alloy palstave axehead. Very corroded.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cockshutt, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 103 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 33 g
Description: Small copper alloy knife-dagger 103mm in length, 38mm in width (max.), with ogival form and single mid-rib. The edges are bevelled (bevels up to 4mm in width) and some of the surface scratches may be evidence of sharpening, only parts of the blade-edge survive. Two incomplete rivet holes can be discerned at the damaged butt, but insufficient of either survive to allow the diameters to be established. The thickness ranges from 4mm towards the tip to 2mm at the base. There is much pitting and other areas of corrosion on the surface. While it is similar to two daggers illustrated in the National Museum of Wales 'Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections (No.329, Fig.27 and No.491:3, Fig.51) a close parallel cannot currently be found.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -850)
Found: West Bedlington, Northumberland, Northumberland (North East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 155.09 mm
Thickness: 15.06 mm
Weight: 136.8 g
Description: A cast bronze spearhead of the Bronze Age.

The spearhead is largely complete, though the socket is missing and there is no trace of basal loops, though these would be expected.

The blade is leaf-shaped with a central barrel ridge (circular in section) that begins with the socket and tapers to the tip.  The edges are largely intact, though somewhat nicked.  The bevel of the edge being 3mm from the edge.

The bronze is good quality with an even green patina.

It is 155.09mm in length, 45.35mm in width at the blade shoulders, 15.06mm thick in the ridge, 1.36mm thick edge at the tip, with a socket diameter 19.02mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2350 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lockinge, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 20.58 g
Description: 
A copper-alloy fragment of metal working debris. Uncertain date.

Notes: Found at the Oxfordshire Weekend Wanderers rally 02.09.07 - 03.09.07.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (2000 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dodleston, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 100 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 111 g
Description: A small, narrow-butted copper-alloy flat axe from the Early Bronze Age. The rounded cutting edge (37mm wide) shows signs of having been slightly flared, though one side is partly missing. The body of the axe has a bevel, approximately 55mm from the cutting edge, but this is not very pronounced. The axe tapers back to a thin, semi-circular butt (19mm wide). The axe is heavily corroded with no sign of decoration.



Note - Peter Reavill - 18/5/21.



Thanks are extended to Dr Brendan O'Connor who has suggested that this axe form is now better understood after the recent publication of Stuart Needham 2017: The Classification of Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age Copper and Bronze Axe-head from Souther Britain.



O'Connor notes: This axe previously suggested as a possible Type Migdale is highly unlikely and although extensive corrosion makes it difficult to be certain where in Needham's Class 4 to place it I believe that it should probably be later rather than earlier c. 2000-1800 BC
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1450 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rossett, Wrexham, Wrexham (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 127 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 37.5 g
Description: A narrow-bladed, copper-alloy dagger, 127mm in length, 31mm in width and 4mm in section (max) with an ogival form and a single midrib running the length of the weapon. There is evidence of a bevel and sharpening at the butt end but most of the edge is eroded. The butt has two clear rivet holes both damaged and incomplete but with sufficient to indicate a rivet diameter of 5mm. The tip and butt are both damaged and while much of the original surface survives with a dark brown patina, patches have been lost to corrosion. The dagger is similar in form to a dirk or rapier but its length (127mm) defines it as a dagger. It has similarities to daggers of the 'Camerton-Snowshill' tradition.
Notes: 
Please note that the second photograph was taken before any preservation work by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to EARLY MEDIEVAL (-1500 to 1066)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Hendred, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 9.54 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 0.7 g
Description: An undecorated copper alloy bead.  The bead is circular in plan (9.54mm diameter) with a circular concentric 3.4mm central hole. In cross-section it is sub-circular. Undecorated beads of this type are difficult to date tightly as they are used in this form from the Bronze Age through to the Early Medieval period. The bead is 3mm thick and weighs 0.7g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Hendred, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.31 mm
Thickness: 2.21 mm
Weight: 1.7 g
Description: Cast copper alloy probable Bronze Age awl.  The object is square in section and tapers to a smooth point at one end whilst the other end is roughly finished and possibly broken.

Dated c.1400-700 BC.

Awls were used for piercing holes in leather or other thick materials.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder