dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Easton Maudit, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 128.1 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight: 323 g
Description: A cast looped palstave of Late Middle Bronze Age with a relatively flat blade.  Length 128.1mm, maximum width (at blade end) 42.4mm, maximum thickness (at stop ridge) 31.0mm, weight 323g. The palstave has a square butt with deep pocket. The edges of the flanges are abraded. Decoration on both sides of the blade beneath the curving stop ridge appears to be in the form of a shield combined with a central rib to form a “trident” pattern. Small areas of a patina survive overall. However, the implement is suffering from the effects of bronze disease and is in poor condition.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.8 mm
Weight: 67.6 g
Description: Blade end fragment from a Late Bronze Age Socketed axe, c. 1150-800BC of likely Wilburton-Ewart Park metalworking traditions, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 6 - 7. While socketed axeheads can date from anytime within the Late Bronze Age, most diagnostic finds tend to date to the Ewart Park phase (950-750BC). The axe head is represented by the blade only and has a maximum surviving length of 35.8mm. The bottom of the socket is present and has been deliberately closed by battering; this damage is also likely to have contributed to the break. Both faces are concave as a result of the damage, the bronze has torn on one face and deep battering scars are evident on the other face. The surviving portion of the side is straight with angles converging to the neatly finished casting seam (giving the axe a hexagonal body profile). The blade is expanded at the tips, producing a surviving blade width of 51.8mm. The Blade edge is curved and has also been damaged and blunted. Most of the surface has been lost, although a small area near the blade has the suggestion of sharpening striations running along the blade. The original surface has a dark green patina, while underlying exposed surface is pale green. The axe fragment weighs 67.6g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-2500 to 43)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brockhall, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.2 mm
Diameter: 6.4 mm
Weight: 5.9 g
Description: A prehistoric cast copper-alloy awl.  The main shaft of the awl is circular in section and tapers to a point.  At its widest point the object is 6.4mm in diameter.  At the end opposite the above point is a tang, sub-rectangular in section, which itself tapers.  The object has suffered quite a degree of corrosion.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (2200 to 900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Welton, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41.8 mm
Thickness: 7.7 mm
Weight: 8.9 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy socketed spearhead tip with evidence of a long slender leaf-shaped blade (length: 41.8mm; width: 15.6mm; thickness: 7.7mm; weight: 8.9g), dating to the Bronze Age between c.2200 and c.900 BC. It is triangular in plan. There is a highly pronounced median rib, which would have continued down the body of the spearhead, forming a central lozenge-sectioned profile with the wings to either side. The end of the tip is very narrow but has been blunted. The overall condition of the artefact is worn, corroded, and in a poor condition. Very little of the original patina remains. The irregular break at is an old one.  Unfortunately with so much of the spear missing, it is impossible to tell the phase of the Bronze Age to which it belongs.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1200 to 43)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brockhall, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.4 mm
Thickness: 2.2 mm
Weight: 3.8 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy knife-shaped object.  This small artefact tapers to a point which is now missing following an old break.  At the attachment end there are traces of rivet holes which have become abraded.  The holes on the edges echo those of a Bronze Age sword hilt fragment as illustrated in Needham (1990, 50; fig. 65).  The form of the object, however, seems to echo that of a Bronze Age knife as illustrated, for example, in Mills (2000, 19; fig. BR9).  There is bevelling on both faces of the object creating a shallow, almost indiscernible, mid-ridge.  The small artefact is possibly late Bronze Age given the date of the parallel cited from Mills (2000), and was arguably a votive object.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Tandridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48 mm
Weight: 22.1 g
Description: A fragment from the blade of a sword. In side view there is a slight curve.
Notes: The object is very abraded with no original surface surviving.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Reigate and Banstead, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight: 176 g
Description: A lump of copper 'cake'. Sub-triangular in section. Dull purply-grey with patchy green surfaces.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy Wood
Found: Llaneugrad, Isle of Anglesey, Isle of Anglesey (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55.6 mm
Weight: 40.1 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed gouge.



The socketed gouge dates to the Late Bronze Age, c. 1100-750BC and dates to the Wilburton-Ewart Park metalworking phases (Needham et al. 1997), corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period's 6-7. The gouge is comparatively short, with an overall length of 55.6mm. The socket is oval with an external width (across the blade) of 21.3mm and an external height of 19.7mm (internal: 17.7 x 16.6mm). The mouth of the gouge is plain, and 2.4mm beneath the mouth is a square collar moulding, with a width of 2mm. The sides of the gouge are slightly concave and expand at the blade tips, giving a width at the blade of 18.6mm. The casting flashes are visible on both sides and have minimal finishing. On one side, the flashes have been hammered for most of the length but are high and sharp near the collar. On the other side the flashes may have not been finished and are deep and wide. The blade edge largely survives and is convex. Sharpening striations are evident on the blade and run both along the blade and perpendicular to it. The surface of the gouge survives well with a dark brown patina. The under-face has an unusual linear effect, possibly the result of a mineralised organic. The gouge weighs 40.1g. The finder responsibly did not clean out the socket of the gouge. Excavation of the socket revealed remnants of the wooden handle preserved. The wood has been retained at NMGW.
Notes: Socketed gouges have been found associated with metalwork assemblages of Wilburton (eg. Guilsfield, Savory, 1980, No. 268) through Ewart Park (eg Penwyllt, Savory 1980, No 284) and Llyn Fawr (Savory 1980, No 291). Savory (ibid., p 55) suggests that the earliest examples have multiple mouth mouldings, while later examples have a plain or broad, flat collar. It is difficult to suggest a date for this example with a prominent single, slender moulding. Potential radiocarbon dating of the wood recovered from the socket could be useful in resolving this problem. The gouge can be paralleled with a larger and unprovenanced example in the Macalpine collection (Antiquities from Europe and the Near East, No. 11.61).



David Coombs (1971, 251ff.; 2001, 288) presented a four category typology based on the shape and style of socketed gouges in south east England. This gouge might be most accurately placed within his Class III, which is characterised by its small, squat form and limited mouth mouldings, though typically this Class has a wider cutting edge.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chaddesley Corbett, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48.3 mm
Weight: 15.28 g
Description: The object is possibly a cast copper alloy rapier or dirk, dating to the Bronze Age. 


 
 Only a fragment of the blade and hilt remain. In plan it is an inverted sub triangle. The sides are straight, tapering to a broken edge. The upper corners of the sides form a ‘)’ and ‘(‘ shape as it is broken across two rivet holes. The patina remains on the curvature of the rivet holes. Above the rivet holes the object is again broken. It is difficult to determine when the breaks occurred as almost all of the patina is missing on the fragment, except for a small patch on the hilt and rivet holes. The patina is a heavy mid brown colour.  


 
 The condition of the object is poor, it is only a fragment, and the surface is corroded. It measures 48.3mm long and 26.6mm wide. It weighs 15.28g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Crondall, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42.8 mm
Thickness: 4.58 mm
Weight: 18.3 g
Description: Fragment of the blade of a Middle Bronze Age rapier. The fragment is a pointed oval in cross section and the edges are worn. The patina is black with a pitted surface.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Found: Crondall, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.6 mm
Thickness: 1.67 mm
Weight: 7.52 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe head. Part of the corner of the body survives and one remaining side has a cast rib.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.1 mm
Weight: 3.41 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy Bronze Age awl. The awl is lozengiform in section. One end of the awl tapers to a rounded flat terminal with a width of 3.4mm. The other end tapers to a pointed terminal. The length of the awl is 46.1mm, the width in the centre is 4.41mm and the weight is 3.41g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kirby Muxloe, Blaby, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 18.78 g
Description: Bronze age Copper Alloy spearhead, 55mm long, 25mm wide and 11mm thick. The objet represents the upper part of a spear head and has a hollow circular core 11mm in diameter. The circular shape continues to the tip which is 5mm in diameter. The object has protruding edges which narrow to a point, giving them a triangular section, which form the blades. The metal is quite corroded and is missing a lot of its surface, the object has snapped off near the tip and the circular void contains traces of a black material.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2000 to 1699)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Folkingham, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 71 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Description: Irregular piece of copper alloy casting waste.  The surface is bulbous all over.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2000 to 1699)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Folkingham, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Thickness: 1 mm
Description: Two lumps of probable copper alloy casting waste.  Both items have irregular and very worn surfaces.

The larger piece measures 33mm in length, 26mm in width and 9mm in thickness.  The piece has an irregular flat base and a slightly concave inner with a raised crescentric lip.  The lip is in the form of a channel, and may have been formed by either pouring into or spilling out of the casting chamber.  The flattish base would support this too.

The smaller piece measures 24mm in length, 14mm in width, and 8mm in thickness.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lesnewth, Cornwall, Cornwall (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 113 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 186.03 g
Description: Cast copper alloy incomplete flat axe with the beginnings of a stop ridge and flanged sides dating to the Early Bronze Age c.2000-1700 BC. The blade end of the axe is corroded but the angle suggests that it may have had a crescentic blade. Both faces of the axe are decorated with straight lines punched into the axe after casting, about 5mm in length, and about 1mm apart, in what is referred to as a 'rain pattern'. The axe is 113mm long, 52mm wide at the blade end, 23mm wide at the butt end, 10mm in thickness and weighs 186.03g.

    
    Comparable examples of decorated flat axes from the Southwest can be found in Pearce (1983) from Southleigh in Devon (p.455 & 600, Plate 39 No.297) and from Mount Pleasant in Dorset (p.468 & 609, Plate 48, No.371). But the decoration on this axe covers the whole axe and is more regular and evenly spaced like the example from Preston Down, Weymouth (p.487 & 621, Plate 60, No.480). There is also a similar example in the Royal Institution of Cornwall’s collections from Ladock where there are marks between the flanges, but these are sparse and irregular.

    
    Flat axes decorated with this ‘rain pattern’ and with crescentic blades can be found during the Mile Cross-Aylesford phase (c.2000-1900 BC) of the Early Bronze Age, such as the Class 3 axe illustrated in 'The Circulation of Metal in the British Bronze Age: The Application of Lead Isotope Analysis' (Rohl& Needham 1998, 124, Fig. 25, No.47). Examples with the continuous rain-pattern are found in the following Willerby-Bush Barrow phase (c.1900-1700 BC), such as the Class 4 axes illustrated in Rohl & Needham (1998, 125, Fig. 26, No.57 & B).
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leicester Forest East, Blaby, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 145 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight: 365 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy palstave, 145mm long, 57mm wide and weighing 365 grams. The object has a corroded green/brown  surface and is missing part of its blade. The palstave is unlooped and is very simply formed with one straight stop ridge, two thirds of the way along its length and a flared cutting edge.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whitwell, Bolsover, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.18 mm
Thickness: 8.6 mm
Weight: 15.47 g
Description: Bronze Age spearhead fragment, tip only, with circular midrib (hollow). None of original blade edges remain, and the very tip of the spearhead is damaged. Fine silvery grey patina with fine cracks. Length 52.18mm, width 18.05mm, thickness 8.60mm, weight 15.47g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -2000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kirkham, Fylde, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 90 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight: 86 g
Description: 
Early Bronze Age flat axe, made from a copper-alloy with a very high copper content still. The form and shape of the axe is still very close to the Neolithic silex forerunners. It does not have flanges or a stop-ridge. Overall, it is tear-shaped, with a small butt and a broad blade which is not sharp anymore. The surface is much corroded.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Wakefield, Wakefield (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 104.8 mm
Thickness: 11.8 mm
Weight: 203 g
Description: A cast, copper alloy, flat axehead of the Migdale-Marnoch tradition, dating from the early Bronze Age, 2150-1500BC. The axehead has a thin narrow rounded butt; the body then thickens in the middle and thins again to a splayed blade and cutting edge. There are slightly raised flanges along the sides. The surface of the axehead is quite corroded and pitted; only small patches of the original surface survive. The axehead measures 104.8mm long, 50.8mm wide across the blade and 11.8mm thick. It weighs 203gm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 145 mm
Description: A copper alloy knife blade dating to the Bronze Age. The blade is leaf shaped, lentoidal in section and is longitudinally faceted. The double cutting edge of the blade is damaged. The blade tapers to a rectangular tang with a circular perforation. The blade has a dark green to black patina with areas of raised copper alloy corrosion. In places, however, the original bronze surface is visible. The blade is 145mm in length. The width of the blade is 34mm and thickness 4mm. The tang has a width of 20mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40 mm
Description: Early Bronze Age/Middle Bronze Age fragment of flanged axe or palstave, rectangular-sectioned with straight butt-end and beginning of flange on both sides at break, at least 25 x 40mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 171 mm
Diameter: 4 mm
Weight: 18.4 g
Description: Copper alloy roll headed pin, dating to the later Bronze age/ early iron age period. The pin has a flattened rolled head, which leds to a shaft which is circular in section and tapers from 4mm - 1.3mm at the tip. The tip of the pin is bent, and areas of the pin are suffering from bronze diseasse.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cockerham, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57 mm
Weight: 78.97 g
Description: Copper-alloy socketed looped axehead of Irish Late Bronze Age Type. Due to the short, stocky body of axes of this type, they is referred to as 'bag-shaped' or 'purse-shaped'.  The axe's exact measurements are:  57mm in length, the blade width is 43mm, the width of the socket is 31-37mm (inner-outer), the breadth of the socket is 22-27mm (inner-outer, back-front) and the axe weighs 78.97g. These measurements show that the mouth of the axe is aligned with the blade and not back-to-front shaped. The blade was re-worked after the casting process and it is still slightly splayed. However, the axe was in use and it was re-sharpened as well; there are indications of parallel re-sharpening marks close to the cutting edge. The axe was thinly cast and possibly the alloy used was probably more tinny than the normal alloy - the mouth has shows a crack which probably happened while it was in use. However, the damage was obviously no reason to discard the axe.


This socketed axe type is called 'Irish' because most of them were found in Ireland - however, a great number were also found in Scotland, Wales and N/W and S/W England. Due to deposition practices of the Late Bronze Age, these axes were found both singly (in rivers or wetlands) and in hoards.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Gardening
Length: 71.5 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight: 50.18 g
Description: Solid copper alloy slightly squashed or oval ?bracelet. It measures 71.5x63mm and weighs 50.18g. It is roughly circular in section varying from 6-7mm in thickness, and where the bracelet appears less than circular there are patches of filing. The internal measurements are 59x49mm.
If a bracelet it is rather small. However it could be a harness link, pulled horizontally out of shape - or perhaps designed this way. It could be Bronze Age or Iron Age in date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 60.5 mm
Thickness: 6.1 mm
Weight: 39.7 g
Description: Cast bronze penanular bracelet possibly from the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age, c. 950-750BC. The bracelet is of circular section with a diameter of between 4.9 and 6.1mm. The terminals are expanded and are of circular section with diameters of between 9.0 and 9.8mm. The expanded terminals are central with respect to the hoop. The bracelet is oval with a maximum internal diameter of 60.5mm. The original surface of the bracelet has been lost and the current surface is pitted. The bracelet weighs 39.7g. The bracelet is difficult to date since there are few diagnostic features on the object. Metallurgical analysis using a Scanning Electron Microscope suggested that the bronze composition was consistent with a Late Bronze Age date.
Notes: A number of bronze penannular bracelets have been found in Late Bronze Age contexts or found in association with other Bronze Age artefacts. A hoard of similar bracelets were found at Llanrhaiadar-ym-Mochnant, Powys (Savory 1980, No. 257). This bracelet falls within Eogan's (1994, 85) Variety 7, which is defined by a solid body with a round cross-section and outwardly expanding solid terminals. Although defining gold bracelets, Eogan (1994, 85) states that this Variety is more frequenly produced in bronze. Similar penannular bracelets have been found in Scottish hoards: Auctertyre, (Morayshire) Glentanner (Aberdeenshire), Monmore, Killin (Perthshire), Wester Ord, Rosskeen (Ross & Cromarty). All the hoards are associated with Late Bronze Age Socketed axes and all but the Glentanner hoard associated with a faceted socketed axe.



It is also possible that the bracelet may be of Iron Age or Early Medieval date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penllyn, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 72.7 mm
Weight: 181.2 g
Description: Copper alloy socketed axe dating to the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age, c. 950-750BC.



The axe is complete and is comparatively small with a length of 72.7mm and a weight of 181.2g, possibly suggesting a lead rich bronze. The mouth has external dimensions of 44.0 x 37.6mm and has the four casting runner stubs visible. The socket has an oval profile at the mouth with internal dimensions of 30 x 26.5mm and is 58.4mm deep. The axe has a single mouth moulding, which tapers to the face. The loop springs from the base of the moulding. The casting flashes are prominent on both sides and appear to have been finished by hammering. The axe body has a more rounded form than is usual for the type with a sub-rectangular section of 37mm width below the loop. Both faces are decorated with three, widely spaced converging weak ribs. The blade is recurved, producing a rounded blade edge with a length of 45.5mm. The axe has a green to brown patina and has recently been coated in a varnish.
Notes: This axe possesses a combination of features typically of two well-established axe types. Stylistically this axe shares many properties with Yorkshire-type axes, which are defined by widely-spaced ribs descending from a fairly prominent, slightly everted collar, and often have a small, stumpy appearance with an expanded blade edge (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 223). However, ribs on Yorkshire type axes typically run parallel or slightly diverge; no examples could be found in Schmidt and Burgess's corpus of Yorkshire axes possessing converging ribs. Similarly, the rounded socket is unusual. Furthermore, the four runner casting technology is a feature found solely in the production of South Wales axes. South Wales axes often have prominent casting seams, as seen on the Penllyn axe, and converging ribs, though these are typically not as widely-spaced.



This axe is thus best seen as a hybrid of two axe-making traditions. In form it most closely parallels Yorkshire axes, but it was produced using South Wales production methods and incorporates features of this latter axe type. These axes were in contemporary production in different regions and thus it is not inconceivably that the technologies might permeate into other areas. Yorkshire-type socketed axes have been found alongside South Wales axes in the hoards from Llantilio Crossenny 2, Monmouthshire (NMGW-AFDAE8), Tal y garn 2, Vale of Glamorgan (Gwilt and Lodwick 2003), and Llangwm, Monmouthsire (Lodwick and Gwilt 2001). The hoards from Tal y garn and Llangwm also contain South Wales variants, which combine features seen on other axes, while a Croxton-type axe from the Llantilio Crossenny 1 hoard possesses affinities with the Yorkshire type.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2200 to 1600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sible Hedingham, Braintree, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 44.96 mm
Thickness: 3.84 mm
Weight: 19.09 g
Description: Fragment of unidentified copper alloy object. This object is subrectangular in plan and flat in section. One end is 12.1mm wide and the object expands to 19.2mm wide at the opposite end. Both the broad and narrow ends are curved and though abraded, seem complete. As it expands the plan of the object swells and then wastes slightly before flaring into the broader end. The object has a flange to either edge. When viewed in profile the object is clearly curved. The surface of the object is abraded. The original surface is mid green and exposed areas are light green. The object does not have an immediately recognisable form and could be Bronze Age to post medieval in date. It is 44.96mm long, 3.84mm thick, the flanges are 5.52mm high and the object weighs 19.09g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sible Hedingham, Braintree, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.02 mm
Thickness: 8.82 mm
Weight: 15.34 g
Description: Fragment of copper alloy late Bronze Age socketed axehead. The fragment represents a small part of the lower blade and cutting edge. It is sub-square and wedge-shaped in profile. When viewed in plan, the sides of the body are fairly straight with little outward flare. The original cutting edge no longer exists and the blade tips are worn. There is no casting seam. There is a rectangular aperture in the thicker end of the fragment, which represents the very end of the socket. The axe surface is heavily worn. The original surface of the axe survives in patches and has a mid green patina and the subsequently exposed surface is light green. Break edges are irregular and though not fresh are not especially worn, suggesting that damage occurred in the more recent past. The fragment is 24.02mm long, 27.64mm wide from tip to tip, 25mm wide at the break, 8.82mm thick at the broad end and weighs 15.34g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sible Hedingham, Braintree, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.1 mm
Thickness: 3.18 mm
Weight: 21.69 g
Description: Fragment of a late Bronze Age socketed axe of South Eastern type. This fragment represents one of the side faces of the axe. It is sub-rectangular and is flat but curved in section. One side of the single mouth moulding is intact. Beneath this moulding there is a groove. The fragment also holds the complete side loop, set at 90 degrees to the main body. A casting seam is visible along the fragment but is less clear over the loop. The object is abraded. Patches of original surface survive on the outer face with an orangey brown patina. Exposed surfaces are lighter and bright green. The inner original surface survives in better condition with an even mid green patina. The break edges are worn, suggesting damage occurred in antiquity. The fragment is 37.1mm long, 27.38mm wide, 3.18mm thick and weighs 21.69g. The side loop is 19.76mm long and 10.66mm wide.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alderton, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 98.3 mm
Thickness: 6.2 mm
Weight: 18.1 g
Description: Copper alloy tanged and collared chisel, probably dating to the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age (c.950-750 BC).



The chisel is complete and is 98.3mm long. The tang is of square section and tapers to a curved edge. The base of the tang is defined by a rounded collar moulding, 6.2mm thick and 8.0mm wide. The blade sides diverge in a near straight (slightly concave) to a gently curved cutting edge of 24.3mm width. Some of the original surface survives on the chisel with a mid-green patina. The chisel weighs 18.1g.
Notes: Tanged and collared chisels typically date from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age (Llyn Fawr period). An example dating to the Wilburton/Wallington phase is known from Doncaster, Yorkshire (Burgess 1968, 19, fig 7,2; Burgess, Coombs and Davies, 1972, 217), though the main currency is during the Ewart Park phase (c.900-700 BC) into the subsequent Llyn Fawr period (c.700-600 BC).



Tanged and collared chisels have a broad distribution across northern France, Britain and Ireland (see Coffyn et al. 1981, 202-203, Carte 7), though there are relatively few examples from western England and Wales. A very similar example with a thick collar and triangular blade can be seen in the large Ewart Park phase Nottingham Hill hoard, Gloucestershire (Gingell 1974, 308, fig 4,22), as well as a single find from Leigh Woods, Bristol (MacGregor 1987, 109, 11.65). Another example was found at Brogyntyn, Shropshire (Savory 1980, No 288.3) associated with a socketed gouge and a fragmentary Hallstatt 'C' sword.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gayton, Stafford, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.9 mm
Thickness: 14.8 mm
Weight: 64.94 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy late Bronze Age socketed axehead dating from 1000-800 BC. Only the lower blade is represented. It is 34.9mm in length, 49.2mm wide and 14.8mm thick at the blade and weighs 64.94g. There are casting flashes on both sides extanding to the blade edge. The cutting edge is slightly expanded. The axe is slightly worn but in a fair condition although parts of the cutting edge are corrosion chipped. The surface is slightly pitted and has a dark brown patina.

In the 'Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections' of the National Museum & Art Gallery, 1980, H. N. Savory states that the socketed axe-head represents a change both in the method of hafting and the method of the production of Bronze Age axes.  The earliest examples of these artefacts in England and Wales appear in the Middle Bronze Age, although most appear in the Late Bronze Age.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Scabbard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Norton, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.1 mm
Thickness: 9.2 mm
Weight: 9.1 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy Late Bronze Age 'bag-shaped' dagger scabbard chape. The object has a rounded end. Because it is abraded at the attachment end it is hard to discern whether or not the 'body' of the chape would have continued up with straight sides. There are six aligned circular perforations near the point of the old break, three on either side. A couple of these chapes are listed in O'Connor (1980, 190-191; ref. 161). They are associated with the 'carp's tongue complex' of south-east England and date to the Ewart Park metalworking phase.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Blakesley, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55 mm
Thickness: 11.4 mm
Weight: 19 g
Description: The tip from a broken Bronze Age spear. The spear tip is made from cast copper-alloy. It measures 55 mm long and tapers from 22.5 mm to 3.5 mm at the point. The spear is socketed with a circular hole running through it. The spear has a rounded ridge running down the length of the spear, on both the top and bottom, making it circular in profile, with a triangular wing (formed by the edge of the spear) to either side. The spear dates to the late Bronze Age, from around 1200 to 800 BC. Similar artefacts are illustrated in Langmaid (1976, page 53; figure 19).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2100 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Malmesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.1 mm
Thickness: 8.2 mm
Weight: 15.8 g
Description: Butt fragment from an axehead of Bronze Age date. The butt fragment is likely to be from a developed flat axe or flanged axe of later Early Bronze Age date, metalworking stage IV, corresponding to Needham's 1996 Period 3, c. 2100 - 1700 BC. It is possible however, that the fragment may be from a small palstave of Middle Bronze Age date, c. 1500 - 1150BC. The fragment has a surviving length of 27.1mm and a maximum surviving width at the break of 15.9mm. The butt is neatly rounded and has a thickness of 1.3mm. The sides are straight and diverge gently before the break. The sides are rounded and the flanges are marked by facets. The faces are flat except for the low flanges, which have a maximum surviving height of 0.5mm. At the break the fragment has a thickness of 8.2mm across the flanges and 7.3mm across the septum. The fragment weighs 15.8g. The fragment appears to have come from a well cast axe and has been neatly finished. One face has a silvery appearance, possibly because of surface enrichment of tin. The surface is in good condition with dark green to brown patina.
Notes: This fragment probably once belonged to a Class 4 or Class 5 axe (following Needham 1983), and dated to the MA V Willerby to MA VI Arreton phases of the Early Bronze Age (c.1750-1500 BC) (Needham et al. 1997). Similar flanged axes from which this piece may have originated can be seen in Savory (1980, Fig.18, Nos. 121, 259), though no further classification can be achieved from this fragment.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Malmesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.1 mm
Thickness: 6.8 mm
Weight: 19.6 g
Description: Blade fragment from an axehead of Bronze Age date The axehead is represented by the bottom of the blade and short length of one blade side and has a maximum surviving length of 21.1mm. The fragment has a surviving blade width of 37.2mm and the break is likely to have been near the blade tip. The surviving blade tip is slightly out-turned. The blade edge is curved and no sharpening striations are evident on the blade. The blade appears to have a casting flaw near the break where the blade has a rounded step across its thickness. The break has no evidence of the bottom of a socket. The surviving side is straight before the out-turn at the tip, and is rounded across its thickness with no evidence of the casting flashes surviving. One face has a more pronounced blade facet than the other, 8mm from the blade edge. The face without the blade facet is slightly convex across its width, the other face being flat. The fragment has a maximum surviving thickness at the break of 6.8mm and weighs 19.6g. The surface of axe has a dark green to brown patina. The form of the blade fragment is more likely to suggest a flanged axe or palstave, although a socketed axe is possible.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Malmesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.5 mm
Thickness: 2.3 mm
Weight: 4.8 g
Description: Blade fragment from a Bronze Age edged implement, probably of Middle Bronze Age date, c. 1500-1000BC. The implement is represented by the top of the blade and the beginning of the handle, but has broken at both ends and has a surviving length of 30.5mm. No rivet holes are evident at the top and much of the peripheries have been lost. The fragment has a maximum width at the end of the blade of 17.5mm. It is possible that the implement has broken across the rivet holes. The handle end thins towards the break. The blade is defined by blade edges either side of a poorly defined and rounded midrib, which diverges at the butt. No sharpening striations are evident on the blade. The fragment has a maximum thickness at the midrib of 2.3mm and weighs 4.8g. The fragment has a dark green to brown patina and has lost small patches of the surface. The slight nature of the fragment may suggest a dirk, small rapier, knife or dagger.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Malmesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 16.7 mm
Weight: 9.9 g
Description: Bronze ring, probably of later Prehistoric date. The ring is irregular and rounded, resembling a bead, with an external diameter of between 16.2 and 16.7mm. The ring has a width of between 7.4 and 8.5mm and the faces are rounded. The perforation has a diameter of 5.2 to 5.8mm and implies the perforation was cast rather than drilled. The ring weighs 9.9g and has a deep and dark green patina. Bronze beads are not common finds; the form can be paralleled in amber beads from the Late Bronze Age and in Iron Age glass beads. Examples of bronze beads have been found on a number of sites, including The Breiddin Hillfort (Musson, 1991, p 138, no. 165) where a bead with raised cast ornament was dated to the 1st century BC. Larger plain examples have been found at Glastonbury (Bulleid & Gray, 1911, 228, pl. xliv, E195).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Found: Latton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 8.39 g
Description: Droplet of bronze, very probably Bronze Age in date. It weighs 8.39g and roughly measures 35x18x(max)4mm. It is flat on one side and domed on the other.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.1 mm
Weight: 28.4 g
Description: Blade fragment from a Bronze Age axe, probably of Middle Bronze Age date, c. 1500-1100 BC. The axe is represented by a blade fragment only, and has a surviving length of 32.1mm. The original surface of the axe has been lost, and little surface detail survives. The axe was probably comparatively slender and has a minimum width across the break of 21mm. The break is eroded and round and shows no evidence of a socket base. The sides expand to the blade tips, which are now rounded, giving a blade width of 35.5mm. No evidence for casting flashes survive on the sides. The blade edge is curved. One face is relatively flat, while the other has the suggestion of a blade facet surviving, beginning c. 10mm from the blade edge. The fragment weighs 28.4g. The bronze is heavily pitted and has a dark green to brown patina. The fragment is likely to originate from a palstave of Middle Bronze Age date, but may be from an earlier developed or flanged axe of later Early Bronze Age, from c. 1700BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cobham, Gravesham, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.52 mm
Thickness: 7.91 mm
Weight: 30.74 g
Description: Section of cast copper alloy double-edged blade, probably from a sword, but possibly from a spearhead.  Worn transverse breaks at either end, lozenge cross-section, edges tapering towards point.  Width varies between 34.2 and 42.1mm.  Bronze Age, probably of Late Bronze Age date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Tools And Equipment (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brougham, Eden, Cumbria (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Description: Cu-alloy tool, possibly a chisel. It is very thin and if not a tool of some kind it may have been part of a metal vessel (part of the handle?). 
 

 There is a chance that it is a Bronze Age tool, but the overall shape does not suggest this (too thin for a wood working tool).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2500 to 1699)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Walcot Near Folkingham, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 119.42 g
Description: Four fragments of copper alloy casting waste.  The waste fragments all have highly irregular surfaces on all sides.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Walesby, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 93.33 mm
Thickness: 22.9 mm
Weight: 135.74 g
Description: Bronze Age palstave fragment, central part only, both ends broken off. The side loop is also broken off and the surface of the metal is very lumpy, so the appears to be unfinished, perhaps a casting mistake. This is probably a fragment of a Taunton period Norman type palstave, dated to 1400-1300BC. Length 93.33mm, width 23.3mm, thickness 22.9mm, weight 135.74g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18.2 mm
Description: Cast cu-alloy flanged axe of Caverton metalwork tradition (BA stage: Acton Park). It is complete and has a chocolate-brown patina. The casting seams have been taken off and the remains smoothed down. The blade was hammered into shape and is now splayed/crescent-shaped. The cutting edge is still sharp and there are not very many re-sharpening marks visible. Also, there is only a small number of nicks and dents which means that it has not been extensively used.


Schmidt, P.K. and Burgess, C. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern Britain, eg no. 474
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1000 to 100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Clitheroe, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27 mm
Weight: 6.46 g
Description: 
Small fragment of a cu-alloy spear- or arrowhead (tip). The fragment is too small to give a specific date.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1159)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hoby with Rotherby, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24 mm
Weight: 6.21 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy palstave fragment, 24mm long and 16mm wide. The object is in fair condition with a brown patina. It represents the tip of the socket end of a palstave. It has a rounded, bevelled edge and a rectangular section. On one side the start of the socket lip can be seen as a bump running along the edge. The object has snapped just after this.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Mount (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Frisby on the Wreake, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 9.28 g
Description: Undated copper alloy object, 18mm long and 17mm wide. The object is in fair condition with a brown surface patina showing green where its been removed. The object is roughly crescent shaped and is 11mm thick in the centre. The object tapers sharply towards the ends (which may have joined to form a circle). The object is decorated with four raised circles arranged in a rectangle, two are 4mm in diameter and two are 6mm in diameter. The object may be prehistoric and may be some sort of strapend or even a large earring.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hampton Gay and Poyle, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 72 mm
Weight: 27.6 g
Description: An eroded fragment of the point of a blade with a wide, flat central rib.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hampton Gay and Poyle, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56 mm
Weight: 13.28 g
Description: 
A small side-looped spearhead. Most of the socket is missing.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52 mm
Weight: 10.04 g
Description: A fragment of a tanged chisel of Bronze Age date. The tang survives, though now in two pieces, along with the collar and part of the shaft. Both the tang and shaft have a rounded rectangular section. The shaft measures 8 x 5.5mm across. The object is coloured dark brown and is in poor condition.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58 mm
Weight: 7.55 g
Description: An awl of Bronze Age date. The tang, in section, is a flattened rounded rectangle. The awl point is conical.
Notes: Sally, can you refine the dating?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder