dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wall, Northumberland, Northumberland (North East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 23.85 mm
Thickness: 8.25 mm
Weight: 20.2 g
Description: A complete, cast, copper alloy annular ring dating to the late Bronze Age (c.1000-800BC)



The ring has a solid round cross section, with a thicker section (8.25mm) bearing three slightly swollen areas facing outward, possibly as decoration. The object is otherwise undecorated.



The metal has a dark brown patina. The surface is moderately pitted. particularly in the thicker area, possibly damaged in use.



23.85mm diameter (external), 10.23 mm internal diameter. Thickness 8.25 mm at thickest part to 6mm at narrowest. 20.2g



Similar rings have been discovered as part of late Bronze Age hoards (see for example: (Schmidt & Burgess 1981, plate 152; YORYM-15AA2D/2014-T442, the latter noting the possibility "that the ring was a fitting on the haft of a socketed axe" perhaps explaining why these rings are often found as part of socketed axe assemblages). The PAS database record for for WILT-1A5240 includes the suggestion that rings of this form may have been part of a chain from which a cauldron or other vessel was suspended, or part of the handles of a sheet-metal cauldron (citing: Gerloff 2010, Pl. 17, 7b; Pl.32, 14a; Pl. 33, 14f-h; Pl. 34, 15d, Pl. 54, 33c and Pl. 66, 37g). This record also notes that the ring may be a form of harness ring (see Note below). Other examples recorded on the PAS database include: LIN-4EE61E; HAMP-6F9658; NARC-5B60BD; WILT-30BB4B; LANCUM-D8A073 etc.



(Note: The possibility that this ring may have been an early Lewis (2015, 77:) form of Type (i) Plain round Terret ring (excavated examples from secure contexts dating from the 5th century BC to the mid-2nd century BC) was considered. However, Lewis states that this Type is usually made of iron, or iron with a copper-alloy sheath (ibid, 87) thus, and given the relatively small size, an earlier form of Bronze age ring was the preferred interpretation.)



References:

Gerloff, S., Northover, J.P., 2010. Atlantic cauldrons and buckets of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in Western Europe: with a review of comparable vessels from Central Europe and Italy, Prähistorische Bronzefunde. Abteilung II. Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart.

Lewis, A.S.G., 2015. Iron age and Roman-era vehicle terrets from western and central Britain: an interpretive study. School of Archaeology and Ancient History - University of Leicester. (PhD thesis)

Schmidt, P.K., Burgess, C., 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. C.H.Beck.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1400 to 1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Clayhidon, Mid Devon, Devon ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 129.2 mm
Thickness: 15.2 mm
Description: A cast copper alloy palstave dating to the Middle Bronze Age, c. 1400 BC - 1150 BC.



The palstave is slender in form, tapering from the broad and low stop to the flared cutting edge. The butt is relatively long and slim, and would once have had ridges on either side, although these have been damaged post depositionally and are now reduced to slight raised areas on either side of the butt. Similarly, on one side the base of a loop is just visible, but the loop is now destroyed. On both faces, at the point where where the butt meets the stop there is a small horizontal groove, but it is not clear whether this is part of the design or the result of damage. The object is covered in a dark green patina, although some areas of the original brownish colour survive with pocks and scores in the surface indicative of damage.



It is similar to IOW-8A6D18, but NMS-1719F0 is a better parallel which is in far superior condition and has the loop surviving.



Measurements: 129.2mm length 38.9mm width,15.8mm thickness.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Graveley, North Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.1 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 2.68 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper-alloy Bronze Age spearhead (c. 1500-800 BC). The fragment is a small part of the head towards the now missing tip, with a pronounced midrib. The fragment is very slender, lozenge-form in cross-section and tapers slightly towards one of the broken ends. All of the edges are damaged and abraded, and there are several patches of corrosion and lamination on the main surfaces. The fragment measures 22.1mm in length, a maximum of 9.8mm in width and 5mm in thickness, and weighs 2.68 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Penannular Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Gold 
Found: Overton, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 14 mm
Diameter: 3.1 mm
Thickness: 3.1 mm
Weight: 3.56 g
Description: A Late Bronze Age (1150-800 BC) small gold penannular ring, circular in cross-section with cut terminals, the gap between them measuring 1.8mm wide. The circular cross-section measures 3.1mm, narrowing at the terminals to 2.8mm.

The object is oval in overall shape, measuring 14.0mm in length, 12.5mm in width, 3.1mm in max.thickness and weighs 3.56g.
Notes: 'The penannular ring belongs to a class of artefact which has been termed 'hair-rings' and 'ring-money' (Taylor 1980; Green 1988; Eogan 1994; 1997; Varndell 2001; Hobbs 2003; Meeks et al 2008; O'Connor et al 2008). Their function remains uncertain, although it is likely that they were personal adornments, possibly worn on the ears or nose, rather than being hair-ornaments or items of exchange' (Mark Lodwick and Mary Davis in record NMGW-04216C; references therein).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lympne, Shepway, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.05 mm
Thickness: 4.37 mm
Weight: 3.4 g
Description: A complete copper alloy awl / leather working tool of uncertain date, possibly Bronze Age but conceivably Roman or medieval.



Description: The awl is worn and pitted. It tapers from a flat top to a long point. It is circular in cross-section



Measurements: 51.05mm long, 4.37mm thick and 3.4g in weight.



Description: From the PAS website: (http://finds.org.uk/bronzeage/objects/awl) Awls are difficult to date but most copper-alloy examples are probably from the Late Bronze Age. They can have circular or square cross sections and are generally undecorated. They would have been used to make holes in leather or wood and many were probably were inserted into a handle made from organic materials. Awls were a range of rod-like tools that were usually round sectioned and pointed at one end, and rectangular sectioned with a square or chiselled edge at the other (Rowlands 1976 48). 'Awl' is often used to refer to any number of small, pointed instruments. Referred to as "pointed punches" by Coles (1963-64 117). They were presumably used for perforating leather, but it was once suggested that they were used for tattooing human skin.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Ness, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.46 mm
Thickness: 9.95 mm
Weight: 9.2 g
Description: A fragment of a probable copper alloy chisel dating to the late Bronze Age (c. 1000-700 BC). The object has a flared, sub-triangular terminal which appears to have been the working end. From here the object tapers to the handle, which flattens out and widens adjacent to the chisel end of the tool. The object then terminates in a worn break. The tool has no decorative features and has a mid to light green patina.



Comparable objects can be seen in Leahy and Lewis (2018: 221-222), where more complete examples from Barnham in Kent and Swinfen and Packington in Staffordshire have been cited. On the PAS database the following tools are also comparable in form: WMID-9089DE; LANCUM-17104C; SOMDOR-C4C660.



The overall dimensions are as follows: 38.46mm in length, 10.89mm in width, 9.95mm in thickness and 9.2g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fulbrook, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 153.44 mm
Thickness: 27.87 mm
Weight: 362 g
Description: Middle to Late Bronze Age copper-alloy early palstave (1500-1300 BC): The blade of the palstave is sub-trapezoidal in plan with straight sides and very flared blade tips. The blade edge is abraded, slightly blunt where complete and has notches. Both faces of the blade are decorated with a single rib. The sides of the blade are triangular with a casting seam which has been smoothed, but still forms a slight ridge. There is no loop on the palstave.



The sides of the septum have a more prominent cast seam ridge, and the sides taper towards the butt of the palstave. There is a deep stop on both faces of the septum with a flange running down the sides on each face. The flanges on the side view taper in depth towards the butt. One face at the butt has a deeper possible air hole. The butt is abraded.



The palstave has an incomplete well-developed mottled dark grey patina which is pitted. Where there is a more recent scrape the metal is a shiny grey colour.



The palstave measures 153.44mm long from the blade cutting edge to the butt, 57.46mm wide from blade tip to blade tip, and 27.87mm thick across the stops. It weighs 362g.



The palstave is similar to Figure 21, No. 154 in Savoury (1980). The palstave is an early/primary Group II example which dates to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to c. 1500-1300 BC.



Savory, H.N. 1980 Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections National Museum of Wales: Cardiff
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Scabbard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Trysull and Seisdon, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.58 mm
Thickness: 9.53 mm
Weight: 12.43 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy bag-shaped chape dating to the late Bronze Age (c. 1000-800BC). The chape has an oval opening, concave sides and a rounded base. The opening is chipped along one edge and broken away into the body id the chape on the opposing side. The surface is corroded, with a double-ribbed collar running circumferentially just below the opening, and possible inscised circular decoration on the more degraded face of the object.



A similar, more complete, example can be seen is Leahy and Lewis (2018: 332) from Rockbourne in Hampshire. Other comparable chapes recorded on the PAS database include: HAMP-095061; NARC-5DEF37; and DOR-BD9AED. Webley (2005) states that this type of chape is associated with the 'carp's tongue complex' of south-east England and dates to the Ewart Park metalworking phase.



The overall dimensions are as follows: 22.58mm in length, 31.86mm in width, 9.53mm in thickness and 12.43g in weight.



Reference:



Webley, R (2005) NARC-5DEF37: A BRONZE AGE SCABBARD



Web page available at: https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/97000



[Accessed: 30 May 2019 14:53:27]
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wendlebury, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 160 mm
Thickness: 19.4 mm
Weight: 196 g
Description: A complete and hardly worn cast copper alloy late Middle Bronze Age/early Late Bronze Age palstave axehead of unlooped type. There is not much difference in width between septum and blade; the particular narrowness of the blade suggests an ancillary use as a chisel. The low flanges are slightly abraded with a small dent in one side. Just beyond the stop ridge on either side is plano-convex indentation. The blade end of the palstave widens from the stop ridge towards the cutting edge while reducing in thickness. The cutting edge is crescentic with slightly expanded and curved tips; the blade edge itself is bevelled on each side and narrow to a thin, sharp cutting edge. The casting seams along the edge of the palstave have been filed; pitting along the seam appears to have been filled with a molten bronze. Hammer-marks are visible along both sides.

The palstave dates to the late Middle Bronze Age or early Late Bronze Age, most likely within the late Taunton or possibly Penard metalwork assemblages, that is c. 1250-1000 BC, corresponding with Needham Period 5-6, Burgess metalworking phase IX - X. It can be compared with narrow bladed palstaves from the Sidlesham hoard, now in Chichester Museum (Rowlands 1976, Vol. 2, p. 269/pl. 8; ref. 148, especially 148.3); Rowlands classifies them as Class 1 narrow bladed palstaves. In discussing the form (ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 36-38), Rowlands notes they are common in early Late Bronze Age hoards in Southern Britain. At the time, the origin of these palstaves was thought to be Northern France.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to 450)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leckhampstead, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 14.09 mm
Thickness: 3.06 mm
Weight: 2.28 g
Description: A possible copper alloy bead, probably Bronze Age - Roman in date, 1200 BC- AD.450. The object comprises a penannular ring formed by bending a strip of copper alloy round on itself until the ends meet. The band is D shaped in cross section. There is no visible exterior decoration and the surface is green an pitted. The object has been made by bending the strip but not around a former as the interior is not a uniform shape. Beads such as this have a number of uses, from hair ornaments, nose or earrings to simple suspended beads.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 134.7 mm
Thickness: 23.5 mm
Weight: 152 g
Description: A perhaps incomplete Middle Bronze Age (1500-1150 BC) palstave with extensive surface loss and perhaps missing an original loop, or perhaps of an unlooped variety.

The butt end is narrow (perhaps through wear), measuring 13.6mm wide and 6.1mm thick, expanding to the stop ridge (25.4mm wide and 23.5mm thick) which appears to overhang slightly on each face. The line of the butt end meets in a gentle curve at this point.

Below the blade flares from the stop ridge to the cutting edge, 32.1mm wide, perhaps curving outwards slightly just above.

The object has a thick light green crust largely lost in places to reveal a dark grey colour beneath. It measures 134.7mm in length, 32.1mm in max.width (at the cutting edge), 23.5mm in max.thickness (at the stop ridge) and weighs 152g (to nearest 2g).
Notes: When originally discovered the finder reports that the axhead was in sulphurous-smelling wet salt-water mud. He kept it in a sealed, wet environment which lead a month later to severe deterioration of the surface crust. Claire Woodhead, Conservator, Hampshire Cultural Trust, comments '[The] surface crust is unusual; brittle and porous. It is unclear how much metal remains in core. There is a possibility that copper sulphides have reacted with the water to form sulphates (i.e. sulphuric acid) which may have contributed to decay' (June 2019). The object has been air-dried and the flakes of crust reattached wherever possible, as evidenced in the 'after' photos attached to this record.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Bendish, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 73.5 mm
Weight: 7.51 g
Description: Incomplete and unusually large Late Bronze Age copper alloy awl with probable pointed end missing and tapering square to rectangular-section tang, slight damage at end. Extant length 73.5mm. Maximum width 7mm. Weighs 7.51g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -1900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fernhurst, Chichester, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57.8 mm
Thickness: 9.2 mm
Weight: 100.75 g
Description: A fragment of a large cast copper alloy Bronze Age axehead, probably of flat type and dating to the Early Bronze Age (c. 2200-1900 BC). The axehead is 57.8mm in length and flares out from 31.5mm to 42.7mm with a lenticular to sub rectangular cross section 9.2mm thick. Much of the surface as well as the cutting edge has been lost to corrosion; the butt has broken off in antiquity.
Notes: Possibly a broad butt 'Migdale' type (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 35-44). For a more complete example on the database see KENT-D7B811.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bookham South, Mole Valley, Surrey ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50.7 mm
Thickness: 8.8 mm
Weight: 9.87 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy tanged chisel dating to the late Bronze Age (c. 1150 - 800 BC). The chisel has a tang with a rectangular cross section which has broken 13.4mm from a transverse collar. This collar is sub-oval in cross-section and is 10.2mm wide. The blade itself expands from 6.0mm wide at the collar to 11.9mm wide at the cutting edge which has lost one side. The side profile of the blade is slightly curved, although it is not possible to tell if this is an original feature.
Notes: Tanged chisels of this type are uncommon finds; examples recorded on the database include BH-49EAD8, NMS-5059F9, SUR-E710D7 and BERK-52E8C3.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tidcombe and Fosbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63.5 mm
Weight: 2.58 g
Description: 
A complete copper-alloy awl of probable late Bronze Age date. The object is undecorated, round in cross section in the middle and tapers to points at either end.

Notes: Plain copper alloy awls are hard to date precisely but examples of this form are thought to have been introduced in the Bronze Age (2150-800 BC) with most being Late Bronze Age in date (1150-800 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1650)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Enborne, West Berkshire, West Berkshire ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 95 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: 129 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy flat axehead of Early to Middle Bronze Age date, 2150-1150 BC. The axehead has a flanged edge and a rounded butt. Its body is of equal width until it flares abruptly outwards to create the wide crescentric cutting edge. There is a fair amount of pitted corrosion at the blade and butt of the axehead where it has become abraded and worn. The axehead has a green to brown patina.



The axehead is 95mm in length, 50mm maximum width, 15mm maximum thickness, and weighs 129g.



Similar axeheads can be seen on the PAS database including LVPL-613611 and LVPL-60EFC4.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -750)
Material: Gold 
Found: Shalfleet, Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 86.8 mm
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 43.23 g
Description: A complete late Bronze Age gold penannular C-section bracelet with expanded terminals (c. 1000 BC-c. 750 BC). Treasure case no. 2019 T588.



This bracelet is in good condition but is slightly misshapen and has some modern scuff marks. There is an old fracture on one edge of the band.



Length: 86.8mm; width: 51.7mm; width of band: 9.3mm; width of terminals: 11.4mm; thickness of band: 2.4mm. Weight: 43.23g.



Similar bracelets have been found throughout southern England, Taylor 1980; Eogan 1994). Eogan (1994) has noted nine different varieties in the British group and this bracelet, with its C-shaped body and expanded terminals, coincides with Eogan's (1994) Type no. 3. Two bracelets from the Tisbury Hoard, Wiltshire, are similar to this Isle of Wight example. (Eogan 1994, 85, fig. 38, pl. 11, no. 4 and 5).



Compare with similar bracelets from Freshwater, Isle of Wight: IOW-FA17F8 (2007 T490) and Foxley civil parish, Norfolk: NMS-1FE356 (2005 T347).



Taylor, J.J., 1981 Bronze Age Goldwork of the British Isles Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.



Eogan, G. (1994). 'The Accomplished Art: gold and gold-working in Britain and Ireland during the Bronze Age (c. 2300-650 BC)'. Oxford: Oxbow Monograph 42.
Notes: In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Subsequent action: Declared Treasure but returned to Finder as Museum unable to acquire
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Loddon, South Norfolk, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20 mm
Weight: 6.97 g
Description: Fragment of the mouth of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead with non-ancient breaks and recent scuffing. A casting seam runs the full extant length, 20mm. Extant width 24.7mm. Weight 6.97g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2100 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Messingham, North Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59.5 mm
Diameter: 5.5 mm
Weight: 6.25 g
Description: A copper alloy artefact, probably an awl of Bronze Age to Roman date, about 2100 BC - AD 410. It is sub-cylindrical, tapering to a broken point at both ends, and has a cross-section which is octagonal. One half is of larger diameter than the other. The narrower end may be of more square cross-section, but is obscured by corrosion concretion. It is 59.5mm long and 5.5mm in diameter. It weighs 6.25g. Compare BH-50C527.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cliffe and Cliffe Woods, Medway, Medway (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20.68 mm
Thickness: 6.41 mm
Weight: 8.81 g
Description: A fragment of cast Bronze Age object, probably from a spear of Mid-Late Bronze Age date.



Description: The fragment is irregularly shaped with very worn breaks. It has a vertically running central rib. The surface and breaks are heavily patainted and pitted from corrosion making its' exact features uncertain



Measurements: 20.68mm long, 19.78mm wide, 6.41mm thick (including rib, 5.05mm without) 8.81g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Roudham and Larling, Breckland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.7 mm
Weight: 6.14 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy awl comprising a sub-rectangular-sectioned tang and blade. The point is blunt, perhaps through wear rather than post-loss abrasion. Length 47.7mm, width 6.2mm, weight 6.14g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Farningham, Sevenoaks, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.02 mm
Thickness: 8.17 mm
Weight: 10.83 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy Bronze Age spearhead, dating to C. 1600-800 BC.



The fragment is subrectangular in shape and lozenge shaped in cross section, slightly narrowing towards the tip, although the tip is missing, having been cut off in antiquity. The centre has a raised, longitudinal midrib on both faces, the exterior of a hollowed socket running through the blade. The blade edges are worn, the rest of the spear has been broken, possibly by hammering, towards the socketed end. Corrosion is light and the surfaces have a dark green patina.



Measurements: Length: 28.02 mm , Width: 27.19 mm, Thickness: 8.17 mm and Weight: 10.83 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Roudham and Larling, Breckland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.5 mm
Thickness: 1.5 mm
Weight: 5.18 g
Description: Incomplete Middle to Late Bronze Age copper alloy knife with triangular blade. All bar a slight stump of the tang is missing. A very slender flat-sectioned example (1.5mm thick). The break is not recent. Extant length 52.5mm. Width 19.5mm. Weight 5.18g. c.1300 - c. 800 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chape (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sileby, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 8.71 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy tongue-shaped chape, 39mm in length, 16mm wide, 6mm thick with a weight of 8.71g.



The object is sub rectangular in form and cross section and represents the lower part of a scabbard chape.  It has a rounded , swollen lower edge and its only decoration is a central linear ridge running up each face and terminating in a horizontal projection running along its base. Its upper edge is very damaged and in places it is very thin. 



The object belongs to the Wilburton phase (1150-800BC)  and similar scabbard chapes can be seen in Savory 1980, page 185, figure 37, number 56. These chapes are part of the Guilsfield hoard, and have been dated to the late Bronze Age. Similar records on the database include GLO-7C86FA, SOMDOR-9ADF54, BERK-1D8A6E and BUC-E3E35D.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ulverston, South Lakeland, Cumbria ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 79.27 mm
Thickness: 3.03 mm
Weight: 24.89 g
Description: Copper-alloy fragment from a dagger of early to middle Bronze Age date (c. 2150 - 1150 BC). The fragment is the pointed end from a lenticular-sectioned blade. The broken end is abraded. It has a very slight mid-rib and bevelled edges. The edges are worn and chipped and it has a green patina. The object is 79.27mm in length, 26.73mm in width and 3.03mm in thickness. It weighs 24.89g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Ness, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 148.87 mm
Thickness: 17.76 mm
Weight: 56.49 g
Description: Middle Bronze Age (c. 1500 BC to c. 1150 BC) cast copper alloy side looped socketed spearhead. The spearhead socket is broadly an elongated sub-triangular in plan and profile with a leaf-shaped blade. The socket is almost complete and is circular at the base and tapers towards the blade. At the lower edge of the socket, on the exterior the surface is slightly off-set, therefore the external diameter of the socket becomes slightly smaller.



On the exterior edge of the socket, on either side, there is an integral loop which has oval perforations. A trace of a casting seam is visible on one side of the socket only.



The blade of the spear is leaf-shaped which has a pronounced midrib on both faces. One midrib has a slight recent scrape revealing fresh metal. The edges of the blade are slightly abraded thereby losing some of their cutting edge. There are no visible areas of cast or incised decoration on the spearhead.



The surface of the spearhead has an incomplete mid brown patina, which is lighter on the blade than the socket.



The spearhead measures 148.87mm in length, has a maximum width (across the blade) 25.78mm and maximum thickness of 17.76mm (across the socket). The depth of the socket is not know as still partially filled with soil. With the soil insert, the spearhead weighs 56.49g. 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). Two similar examples of the overall style of spearhead are illustrated in Savory: Guide Catalogue to the Bronze Age Collections ref: 337:2 Nantcwnlle, Cards which was discovered in an excavation of a burial mound in association with a Pygmy Cup. The metal of this example has been analysed and found to be of Cemmaes metal dated to the period 1400-1200 BC.



The loops on socketed spearheads 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.
Notes: See also Davis Group 6 (2017: 2).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Beeston with Bittering, Breckland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 75 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 107.45 g
Description: Fragment of Early Bronze Age copper alloy flat axe, the lower end and blade missing. Most of the surface missing with a patch surviving on one face (49 x 25mm), decorated with transverse rows of multiple oblique lines forming a crude and somewhat botched attempt at a herringbone pattern, and with traces or ghosts of the same on the other, very worn and corroded, face . The break is worn and ancient. Megaw and Hardy 1938, Type I. Extant length 75mm. Extant width 31mm. Thickness 10mm. Weight 107.45g. c. 2150 to - c. 1700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bramshaw, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 80.6 mm
Thickness: 20.6 mm
Weight: 177.62 g
Description: An incomplete Brinze Age copper alloy palstave, probably dating to c. 1500-1100 BC.  The butt end of the palstave is missing, with only the blade surviving between the stop ridge and cutting edge. The sides of the blade are roughly concave, flairing outwards towards the cutting edge, which is fairly straight and does not have flaring wing tips. The stop ridge is sub-square in cross section, measuring 22.3mm by 20.6mm, transitioning into a sub-rectangular cross section at the blade. There is a shield shaped depression on either face of the blade, with a central reserved rib, which is continuous with a midrib running down the centre of the blade. There is a possible scar from a lost loop on one side below the stop ridge, however due to abrasion this is tentative. 



Length: 80.6mm; Maximum width of blade: 41.4mm; Minimum width: 22.4mm; Maximum thickness: 20.6mm; Minimum thickness: 6.8mm; weight 177.62g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whiteparish, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.4 mm
Thickness: 3.5 mm
Weight: 10.6 g
Description: A Bronze Age copper-alloy blade fragment, probably dating to c. 2,400-800 BC. The fragment is sub-triangular in plan, tapering to a worn point at one end and truncated by an old break at the other. The framgent is roughly flat in cross section, tapering slightly into the edges but with a distinct central longitudinal ridge. 



Dimensions: 43.4mm long, 21.9mm at its widest point, 3.5mm thick. Weight 10.6g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Coniston Cold, Craven, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.5 mm
Thickness: 6.6 mm
Weight: 29.55 g
Description: A fragment an unidentified object of possible Bronze Age date, 2350 BC - 800 BC. It is a flat sub-rectangular piece of copper alloy, with tapering sides at the long edges and probable breaks for the short edges.It tapers in thickness, and there is a slight hint of a thickened mid-rib on one face. The long edges are chamfered, but have no surface patina surviving, making it impossible to know if they were original edges. The plate is too thick and the edges too abrupt to be part of a blade. The short edges are more uneven, and again, have no surface patina surviving, apart from one small speck in the middle of the shortest edge. They appear to be broken edges, and the patina which has mostly flaked off, could have developed since the breakage.



On both faces, there are patches of a more reflective grey material, perhaps a white metal rich alloy. The rest of the metal is dark grey where the patina survives, and light green and textured like fine sandpaper where is does not survive. It is 43.5mm long, 34.9mm wide and 6.6mm thick. It weighs 29.55g.



The possible Bronze Age date is given because it comes from the same field as SWYOR-107F44, a Taplow rapier. However, a prehistoric date is by no means certain. The object has similarities to Medieval cooking vessel legs, though it is more worn, thinner and has no evidence of sooting. There are several Medieval finds from the same square kilometer.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Button (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-900 to 43)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Downton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 20.1 mm
Thickness: 1.9 mm
Description: A probable Late Bronze Age to Iron Age copper alloy button, dating to c. 900 BC - AD 43. The object is discoidal, with two concentric circular recessed bands and a pellet at the centre. A short, downward curving hook projects from the reverse, this being rectangular in cross section. Small worn knops project from the edge of the plate at 2 and 4 o'clock, aligned with the hook pointing toward 6. 



Dimensions: diameter: 20.1mm; thickness; 1.9mm (7.5mm inc. loop); weight: 3g.



cf. BH-E9F0E9 and WMID-498A82 on this database. Read (2005: 1) no. 2, described as a button-like object.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hartlebury, Wychavon, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 142.15 mm
Thickness: 30.26 mm
Weight: 370 g
Description: Middle to Late Bronze Age copper-alloy early palstave (1500-1300 BC): The blade of the palstave is sub-trapezoidal in plan with slightly concave sides, and very flared blade tips. The blade edge is abraded, and slightly blunt where complete. The cutting edge is slightly asymmetrical probably occurring due to use not corrosion. Both faces of the blade are decorated with a trident motif whose single ridge which tapers towards the cutting edge. The sides of the blade are triangular with a casting seam which has been smoothed, but still forms a slight ridge. On one side face, at the junction of the blade and septum there is an integral loop.



The sides of the septum have a more prominent cast seam ridge, and the sides taper towards the butt of the palstave. There is a deep stop on both faces of the septum with a flange running down the sides on each face. The flanges on the side view taper in depth towards the butt. The butt is a slightly broken edge and obliquely angled therefore, but the break is not too recent. The floor of the rib-stop is corroded, on both side, which does not match the patina covering the remaining surface of the palstave.



The palstave has an incomplete well-developed shiny blue-green coloured patina.



The palstave measures 142.15mm long from the blade cutting edge to the butt, 59.90mm wide from blade tip to blade tip, and 30.26mm thick across the stops. It weighs 370g.



The palstave is similar to Figure 22, No. 166 in Savoury (1980). The palstave is an early/primary Group III example which dates to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to c. 1500-1300 BC.



Savory, H.N. 1980 Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections National Museum of Wales: Cardiff
Notes: 
The landowners are very kindly donating the palstave to Museums Worcestershire.

Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1725 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Felin-Fach, Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 87.2 mm
Height: 14.9 mm
Thickness: 11.5 mm
Weight: 129.3 g
Description: Early Bronze Age flanged axehead



The cast axehead is complete (with a length of 87.2mm and a weight of 129.3g) but has lost much of the original surface. The butt is straight and thin (with a width of 17mm and a thickness of 0.8mm). The sides are near-straight and parallel as far as the position of the bevel on the faces (where the axe has a width of 21.6mm, a thickness of 11.5mm and a maximum depth, including flanges of 14.9mm). The sides are decorated with diagonal ridges and are slightly convex and gently rounded across their depths. Below the stop the sides widen gradually before the recurved blade tips (with a blade width of 50.3mm and a blade depth of 21.2mm). The blade edge is crescentic but slightly straightened around its centre, possibly because of wear. The flanges begin just below the butt and have a regular curve before returning to the on the blade. The flanges are comparatively shallow (reaching a maximum height above the septum of 2.6mm). The septum gradually thickens linearly to the position of the bevel (66mm below the butt), which has a slight curve. Beneath the bevel, decorative ridges echo the bevel at the top of the blade. The decoration is only now partially preserved where there is surface preservation but the decoration is likely to have been contained between the flanges on the top of the blade (for 18mm below the stop). The faces of the blade gradually converge towards the edge and slightly convex across their lengths. The surface has patches with a dark-brown patina, with pale-brown areas of surface loss with some both green and blue corrosion.



The height of the flanges (above 1.5mm) and overall form of the axe means it can be confidently classed as a low-flanged axe, datable to the Arreton assemblage (c.1725-1500 cal. BC)/Period 4 of the Early Bronze Age (Needham 1996; Needham et al. 1997). The axe can be classed as Type Arreton (following Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 72-75) or Class 5 (following Needham 1983; forthcoming



Needham (1983, 198) lists 179 Class 5 axes from southern Britain, indicating the broad currency of this axe type. In Wales, approximately 26 examples are currently known from both hoards and isolated contexts, with recent discoveries rapidly changing the image of how these axes were circulated. Class 5 axes are present in hoards from Menai Bridge, Anglesey (Savory 1980, 115, No.259), Llanover, Monmouthshire (NMGW-3F3BBC) and Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan (NMGW-0B9997). Single finds are also known from Margam, Neath Port Talbot (Savory 1976; 1980, 102, No.122), Bangor Is-y-coed, Wrexham (CPAT-9DFD01) and Llanbradach Pwllypant, Caerphilly (NMGW-CD7412) and Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan (NMGW-C21D78)
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32 mm
Weight: 24.6 g
Description: Small butt-end fragment of a Middle Bronze Age flanged palstave. Worn oblique fracture, pitted dark green patination, damaged edges. Extant length 32mm. Extant width 25mm. Weight 24.60g. c.1600 - c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Castle, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 282 mm
Thickness: 1.8 mm
Weight: 94.4 g
Description: Late Bronze Age dirk of Penard or Wallington metalworking Industry, dated to c. 1300 - 1000BC



The cast dirk is complete but now distorted across the mid blade (with a distorted length of 282mm, a straightened length of approximately 288mm and a weight of 94.4g). The butt is flat-topped, slightly angled (23.0mm wide and 1.8mm thick). There are two rivet notches beneath the butt and on the sides (of 8.5mm diameter, with their midpoints 9.6mm beneath the butt and giving a minimum butt width of 17.5mm). There is no clear hilt mark but there is the suggestion of a curving mark from the top of the blade on the sides and arcing down onto the midrib. Beneath the rivet notches, the sides of the butt are straight and near parallel (with a width of 10.2mm where the butt has a thickness of 4.6mm), before converging at the top of the blade (with a width of 17mm and where the dirk has a maximum thickness of 5.0mm). The sides of the blade are near-straight and gradually convergent before narrowing to the tip. The blade has a flattened mid-section rib (6.5mm wide). The blade facets are concave (4mm - 6mm wide) and the original blade edge is eroded and now lost. There is differential wear on one side, above the tip (for approximately 10cm above the tip). The dirk has a black patina, well preserved over much of the blade but lost at the position of the interior bend, perhaps suggesting the damage to the blade occurred post-deposition. Otherwise the blade has a grey-green to pale-brown corrosion.



The weapon is of Group IV and the hilt form and blade profile would suggest a Type Appleby dirk, as defined by Burgess and Gerloff (1981, p. 74)[1]. The rectangular form to the butt with upright sides would further suggest 'Variant Barnes' (ibid. p 76-7) of Type Appleby. However it is unclear whether the notches are cast into the hilt or the weapon was damaged and reworked from rivet holes. If the notches were original, then it may suggest a slightly later weapon of Type Stuntey, or similar, although these types often have more trapezoidal butt forms.







[1] Burgess C.B. & Gerloff S., 1981; The Dirks and Rapiers of Great Britain and Ireland, Praähistorische Bronzefunde Abteilung IV. Band 7.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 258 mm
Thickness: 0.7 mm
Weight: 77.5 g
Description: Middle to Late Bronze Age Group IV dirk, possibly of Burgess & Gerloff's (1981)[1] Group IV, possibly of Type Stuntney and of Penard or Wallington metalworking Industry, dated to c. 1300 - 1000BC



The cast dirk is near-complete, with some peripheral damage (with a length of 258mm and a weight of 77.5g). The top of the butt is flat and thin, with curved corners (with a butt width of 27.5mm and a thickness of 0.7mm). Beneath the butt the rivet-notches are a little irregular and of V-shaped profile (with a depth of 4.0mm - 4.4mm, a width of 7mm and are 18.8mm apart). Beneath the rivet-notches the sides widen to the shoulders, with some damage (with a width of 34.0mm, where the butt is 4.1mm thick). The edge at the top of the blade has a convex curve (for 13mm) before the near-straight edge, which gradually converges towards the tip (with a width of 18mm below the curved sides). The blade is thickest at the top of the blade (with a thickness of 5.0mm) and has a flat-topped midrib, curving from the shoulder and gradually narrowing until it defines a rib and produces a lozengic section to the blade (c. 35mm above the tip). There is no vertical hilt ridge but there is a hilt mark evident on one face, which has a slight convex curve from just below the shoulders. The blade has a gentle concave profile, each side of the midrib and sections of the blade edge are preserved. Much of the damage to the blade edge damage appears to be more recent although a few of the notches are patinated. Subtle striations are discernible, mostly running along the blade edge. The surface has a dark-brown patina with some pitting and bright-green corrosion. The top of the butt has rounded hammering ridges from working and thinning and the butt has considerably less surface finishing than the blade.





[1] Burgess C.B. & Gerloff S., 1981; The Dirks and Rapiers of Great Britain and Ireland, Praähistorische Bronzefunde Abteilung IV. Band 7.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Foulsham, Broadland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18 mm
Weight: 6.53 g
Description: Fragment of the mouth of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe, vertical casting seam. Extant length 18mm. Extant width 25.5mm. Weight 6.53g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Matching, Epping Forest, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25.9 mm
Thickness: 8.6 mm
Weight: 8.43 g
Description: Fragment of a cast Bronze Age spear tip, likely dating from c. 1500 - 800 BC. Both the terminal tip and the base are now missing, though some of the mid-portion remains. The fragment is circular in section at the centre, with flanges extending to either side to form the flattened edges of the spear. The centre of the spear appears to be hollow, but is now filled with material that has been heavily compacted. The circular section gives the fragment a distinctive raised mid-rib.



The surface patina is dark green and abraded in places.



Dimensions: weight: 8.43g, length: 25.9mm, width: 20.7, thickness: 8.6mm
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -1900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Heytesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.7 mm
Weight: 34.92 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy axehead, possibly of early Bronze Age date (c 2200-1900 BC). The fragment is the butt end of the axehead and seems to have been of flat type, with no side flanges. The axehead would have had a long body with lenticular side profile and rectangular cross section and would probably have widened into a curved, splayed cutting edge.
Notes: For an example of a complete object of this type, see LANCUM-2BBD52.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Greywell, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.5 mm
Height: 16 mm
Weight: 22.03 g
Description: A cast copper alloy casting jet or "gate" with two stumps of sprue with sub-circular cross section. This type of object is the result of casting into a two piece mould and represents waste where molten bronze solidifies at the entrance of the mould around the gate and the two casting channels. Casting waste is difficult to date, but fragments with this shape are characteristic of the casting of  socketed axes of late Bronze Age (c.1000-800 BC) type.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder