dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-1000 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nether Wallop, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 62.12 mm
Diameter: 5.46 mm
Weight: 7.48 g
Description: A rod-like apparent implement with a rounded chisel-shaped terminal; the other end is broken. The section across the length of the rod is circular. The rod tapers gently before expanding where the flattening begins for the terminal. The object is patinated dark green and appears to have broken across a fault in the casting.
Notes: The date of the object is quite unknown but could be as early as the Bronze Age.
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wix, Tendring, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.12 mm
Thickness: 13.59 mm
Weight: 45.56 g
Description: Bronze Age cast copper alloy casting waste; it is trapezoid in plan with a rectangular cross section. The surface is worn and pitted. It is 27.12mm long, 29.51mm wide, 13.59mm thick and weighs 45.56 grams.
Subsequent action: Finder applying for an export licence
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Claxby with Moorby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 119.08 mm
Thickness: 14.02 mm
Weight: 51.2 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy spearhead of Bronze Age date. It is heavily corroded, due to this the edges are heavily worn and it has an orange patina. It has a pronounced mid-rib with flat wings, in plan the spear is leaf shaped. In section the spear head is lozenge-shaped with a deep hollow casting. Its appearance suggests parallels with Middle Bronze Age spear heads
Object: Hoard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fincham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 69 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Description: Sword fragment - Tip of blade with very straight sides and flattened oval in section. Bevelled for the cutting edge, which is slightly damaged along both sides. Light brown patination, except near the break where the blade is slightly bent and the surface green and slightly corroded. Width at break 35mm, length at least 117mm.


Spear - Tip of socketed spear, broken before base of socket. The median rib is prominent and the edges bevelled. The tip is bent sideways in a slight curve. Most of the surface is covered with orange-brown patination or corrosion, which also covered the break.
Notes: These two fragments are additional to a hoard discovered in 1997.






Late Bronze Age






The age and precious metal content of this item therefore qualify it as treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Subsequent action: Donated to museum after being declared Treasure
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-800 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Holt, Wrexham, Wrexham (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 120 mm
Diameter: 31.41 mm
Weight: 173.8 g
Description: This find is of a particularly good example of a late Bronze Age socketed axe in the tradition of the Llyn Fawr phase (800 - 600BC). The axe has a long, elegant form, with a single mouth moulding, now partly missing, and a well defined loop (external width - 20.69mm, internal - 6.18mm), formed just below the lip. There are no design mouldings to the faces of the axe but they are slightly convex in form. The mouth is near circular and the internal moulding replicates the exterior form, excluding the blade tips, to a depth of 85mm, with no mould lines. The sides of the axe have clear moulding seams that have been in part, hammer finished with the exception of the seam on the loop. The loop also has what might be a casting flash to its lower edge. The blade is slightly flanged with a cutting edge, measured from the intact half of 56mm and a width of 47mm. The flange would appear to be accomplished in the mould with no signs of further hammering to extend the tips. One tip is now missing and the cutting edge is largely corroded away. There is perhaps evidence of sharpening, as the blade tip has many fine transverse scratch marks across the width of the cutting edge. That the blade has been used is confirmed by a great many longitudinal/part diagonal scratches and gouges covering most of the blade surfaces. On one face, there is a large gouge near centre of the face and starting just under half way up and running to the mouth moulding. That gouge would appear to be consistent with use as it starts fine and narrow and expands in width and depth as it travels up the face. It is possible that it was responsible for the eventual damage to the mouth moulding. The surface shows sporadic outburst of corrosion but for the greater part, it has a fine polished dark brown patina.
Notes: The Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections (NMW) Fig 46-5 (P194) has a similar axe with a slight variation to the mouth moulding, from the Llynfawr Hoard.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1200 to 800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Holt, Wrexham, Wrexham (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.86 mm
Thickness: 12.2 mm
Weight: 12.3 g
Description: This is an example of a mid to late Bronze Age (1200-800BC) socketed spear tip.   Tip because there is a clear break at the larger end and the remains of the socket.  The depth of the remaining socket is 19mm.  The midrib section is round and the remnants of the blade might suggest that it was leaf shape.  The internal diameter of the socket is 7.85mm at the break.   In this example, the surface has a considerable number of longitudinal striations that run parallel to the expanding midrib section.  They may therefore be a result of the moulding process.  Additionally, there are numerous longitudinal and near longitudinal scratches and striations more likely caused by use.  The tip is chipped and that would seem to have been caused in antiquity.    There are also a great number of short, near horizontal scratches to one side of the midrib section.  Could they be the result of some twisting movement of the tip?  Looking at the face elevation, there is also a very slight bend in the end of this spear tip.  The blade wings are now mostly corroded away with no cutting edge now present.  The overall patina is of a dark green/brown.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hepple, Northumberland, Northumberland (North East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47 mm
Thickness: 7.9 mm
Weight: 44.4 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy butt of a flat axe of the early to middle Bronze Age. The butt is wedge-shaped with a maximum thickness of 7.9mm and a minimum thickness of 3.14mm. There is an abraded break at the thick end of the wedge, and the narrow end of the wedge is worn. Along the lengths of the broad side faces, there are hints of a slight raised border.



Addendum - the blade end of the axe was found approximately 25m away from the original find spot in 2018 (details below).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Weapon (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alfriston, Wealden, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.19 mm
Thickness: 3.11 mm
Weight: 4.22 g
Description: The tip of a sword of probable Bronze Age date. The fragment has a rounded central ridge and thinner edges.
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MODERN (-1500 to 2000)
Found: Alfriston, Wealden, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.52 mm
Thickness: 7.23 mm
Weight: 15.23 g
Description: A possible tang of a chisel or other tool which is square in section and tapers to a rectangle at the terminal.  The object is very crisp, which may suggest this is a modern item, with iron concretion on the surface.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Beddingham, Lewes, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.4 mm
Weight: 21.39 g
Description: A fragment from a socketed axe of late Bronze Age date, comprising part of the rim and the loop. The rim has a pronounced thickening and the socket appears to have been circular. The patina of the metal is a dull dark red with a blue/green surface.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Edlingham, Northumberland, Northumberland (North East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 113.42 mm
Thickness: 11.82 mm
Weight: 188.4 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy Palstave axehead of the Arreton or Acton Park phase of the early to middle Bronze Age.

The palstave has an even green patina of the copper, with some pitting on the surface. The total (incomplete) length of the axehead is 113.42mm, with the blade (from the edge to the stop) comprising 67.18mm length and the septum/butt measuring 46.24mm in length. The flanges have a maximum breadth of 19mm, and the axe is thickest at the stops, measuring 11.82mm. At its widest, the blade is 40.2mm in breadth from tip to tip.

The stops are worn, but visible, and the axe looks as if it was used before it was deposited, based on the uneven wear of the blade. The butt is incomplete, but was probably rounded rather than flat-edged.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llandrinio, Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.9 mm
Thickness: 12.5 mm
Weight: 78.6 g
Description: This is a lower blade end fragment of a copper alloy, Late Bronze Age socketed axehead (possibly in the Llyn Fawr style).  In this instance, the blade has no flare to the tips and a cutting edge of 62mm against the width of 53.8mm; it was therefore, a substantial axe.  There are no visible mould marks to the sides.  The socket, or what remains of it, is a flat sided oval in form.  There is little of the original surface remaining and that which does remain, is in poor condition.  However, in that surface, there is evidence of use with vertical gouges and what might be horizontal striations from sharpening.  One side has some unusual looking marks just above the cutting edge; there are three triangular etchings and other small nondescript cross cuts.  Although they may simply be the effects of time on the decomposing surface, they do look deliberate.   The remnant is now heavily corroded and fragile and has a light to mid green colouration.
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1900 to -1100)
Found: Durnford, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 14.11 mm
Thickness: 5.66 mm
Weight: 6.81 g
Description: Fragment of Early Bronze Age (1900 – 1100 BC) bronze/ copper alloy flanged axehead, consisting of the worn butt end only.  It measures 14.11mm in length and is 21.51mm wide and 5.66mm thick at break and 16.47mm wide and 1.70mm thick at the complete end. It is clear at the break that this edge is I-shaped in section (with a slight thickening at either end). The thickness at the middle of this edge 4.57mm. The fragment weighs 6.81g.
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: South Milford, Selby, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.9 mm
Thickness: 15.7 mm
Weight: 8.36 g
Description: A fragment of a probable socketed and side looped spearhead dating from the Early or Middle Bronze Age, about 1700 - 1250 BC, Davis Groups 2-7. Only the end of the socket survives. The side loop is undamaged and is evenly rounded with a D shaped section. It has a smooth and glossy light green patina with some concretions on the surface. It is 27.9mm long, 17.6mm wide, and 15.7mm thick. It weighs 8.36gm. It was probably similar to NARC-9B5076 when complete.
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kirkby Fleetham with Fencote, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48 mm
Thickness: 9.7 mm
Weight: 12.24 g
Description: A fragment of a copper-alloy spearhead dating to the Middle or Late Bronze Age, about 1550 - 800 BC. It is the tip of a narrow, hollow, socketed spear with a triangular midrib, which extends to the tip, running down each side. This makes the section lozenge shaped but with concave sides. It has a light brown patina with some corrosion showing through in patches. It is 48mm long, 15.1mm wide and 9.7mm thick. It weighs 12.24g. .
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nidd, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 122.6 mm
Thickness: 13.3 mm
Weight: 38.65 g
Description: A copper-alloy side looped socketed spearhead dating from the Middle Bronze Age, about 1550 - 1250 BC. Davis Group 6, 'developed side looped'. The blade is a narrow leaf shape and has a raised triangular rib running down each side, extending on to the socket. The socket tapers outwards from the base of the blade. On each side of the socket is a small raised loop of thin metal, one loop being broken. The sides of the blade flanges also continue onto the socket, forming slight ribs along the sides of the socket, which expand into the loops. The side loops are placed in the centre of the area between the end of the socket and the base of the blade. They are unusually small. The spearhead has a dark brown glossy patina which has flaked off in vulnerable places and light green metal, and some bare bronze is visible. There is a small area of active corrosion. It is 122.6mm long, 16.4mm wide, and 13.3mm thick. It weighs 38.65gm. It probably dates from 1500 BC - 1150 BC. It is a similar shape and size to HAMP-9AF332 and LANCUM-7609C0 but narrower.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Durnford, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.13 mm
Thickness: 4.53 mm
Weight: 7.44 g
Description: Incomplete unidentified copper alloy object, possibly part of a (long) Bronze Age awl. The incomplete object is rectangular in shape and broken at either end. It measures 51.13mm in length. At one end it is 6.20mm wide and 4.53mm thick and at the other 5.30mm wide and 3.50mm thick. Both breaks show the object is rectangular in section. From the pitted surface and green powdery patina, the objects looks to have some age to it. It weighs 7.44g.
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aston Cantlow, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.48 mm
Thickness: 7.85 mm
Weight: 9.6 g
Description: A cast copper alloy bracelet: The bracelet has an oval section and is undecorated except for the terminal. One terminal is broken, but not too recently. The other terminal has moulded decoration consisting of a horizontal ‘T’ shape with a pair of notches along the edge on either side. In plan for the bracelet has been distorted and forms a coil with the terminals sticking out beyond the coil. At the opposite edge at the apex of the coil there is a slightly tear and crack on the exterior face due to the distortion. The bracelet has an incomplete well developed shiny brown patina. It measures 29.48mm long, 30.53mm wide from terminal to terminal and 7.85mm thick at the terminal. It weighs 9.6g.  

The bracelet probably dates to the late Bronze Age period (-1150 - -800). A similar example is illustrated in Evans (Evans, J. 1881 The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland Longmans, Green and Co. London) p. 382.
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2000 to 1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Walcot Near Folkingham, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 127 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Description: A large piece of copper alloy casting waste, or less likely an ingot. The piece is roughly D-shaped in cross-section with a smooth curved upper surface and a generally smooth flat base though there are occasional irregular ribs. In plan the object is elongated and gently tapers. Either end is roughly broken, though both have a hollow cylindrical opening. The object could therefore be a failed casting , though it is difficult to see what it was trying to be, and why the manufacturer would not have melted this down again.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -1500)
Found: Latton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.65 mm
Thickness: 3.25 mm
Weight: 3.41 g
Description: A Bronze Age decorated bronze awl, measuring 54.65mm in length and weighing 3.41g. Its max.width is 4.77mm and its max.thickness 3.25mm.

From a central point rectangular in section and 3.84x3.25mm, the awl narrows in one direction to a squarish sectioned point, 1.43x1.85mm. In the other direction over c.18mm from the centre, it widens and thins to 4.77x2.93mm before narrowing sharply to a pointed end 1.11x1.71mm.

On one face only and passing the widest point almost to its nearest end and the same distance in the other direction, is a wide and deep groove c.14mm long. On either side, between groove and edge of the object, and particularly towards the middle of the awl, are shallower tiny diagonal incised lines/ light grooves. Pitting does mostly obscure these but it is assumed they continue right around the central groove. At the end of the central groove, towards the middle of the awl, is a pair of transverse grooves. Decoration does not appear to be anywhere else on the awl although pitting and loss of patina does obscure large parts of it.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -800)
Found: Pewsey, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.79 mm
Thickness: 8.29 mm
Weight: 20 g
Description: A fragment of Late Bronze Age (900-800 BC) bronze socketed axehead, consisting of part of the mouth and body. It measures 27.79x33.89x(max)8.29mm and weighs c.20g. 

The mouth has a double-rib moulding, with the top-most rib being much thicker. A casting flash is just visible in the furrow between. The mouth appears to be quite circular in shape. 

The fragment suggests the axehead is of the Ewart Park phase, 900-800 BC.
Notes: Weight approximate to 10g.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -2300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gilling East, Ryedale, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 80.25 mm
Thickness: 11.72 mm
Weight: 129.1 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy flat axe of the early Bronze Age, c 2500-2400 BC.

The axe is a pointed oval in plan view with the thickest part on the blade end of the body, and sub-rectangular with a flaring blade in profile. There are no flanges, and the axe has a consistent surface corrosion with a deep green patina.
Object: Penannular Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yardley Hastings, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 17 mm
Weight: 11.2 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy penannular ring with small circular indents on the upper face and one side. Thicker in the centre (8mm) and tapers down towards the ends 95mm). the inner diameter is approximately 17mm. This item could be an earring, but similar objects have been defined as 'ring-money'. The function of 'ring-money' is unknown; they date mainly to the Late Bronze Age, between 1150-750BC.
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-950 to -750)
Found: Willerby, Ryedale, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 72.88 mm
Weight: 33.4 g
Description: Cast bronze socketed axe from the early Ewart Park phase, Thorndon type. Dating to c.950-750 BC, Needham Period 7, Burgess Metalworking Stage XII.

The blade is bent. It narrows towards the point which is rounded. At its widest it is 21.23mm and its narrowest is 8.88mm. The blade has a raised mid-rib on both sides running the whole length. 

The socket is oval in cross-section and has a circular hole through two opposite sides near the top. Diameter of socket is 22.33 x 16.25mm.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gaddesby, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 2.48 g
Description: Bronze Age copper alloy square-sectioned rod, pointed at both ends. Possibly an awl. The object is 42mm long, 4mm wide, 3mm thick and weighs 2.48g.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bidford-on-Avon, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.76 mm
Thickness: 5.16 mm
Weight: 3.5 g
Description: A cast copper alloy awl: The awl is a shaft which, at the mid point, is sub-square in section. It has slightly rounded corners. One side of the awl tapers to a long blunt point becoming slightly more rounded in section. The other side tapers on the upper and lower face becoming sub-rectangular. The terminal of this portion is a broken edge, which is not too recent, but the patina does not cover the break. In profile the awl is an asymmetrical lentoid. The awl has a well developed mid brown coloured patina. It measures 34.76mm long, 5.49mm wide and 5.16mm thick. It weighs 3.5g. 

The awl probably dates to the Bronze Age. Needham (in Longley, D. & Needham, S 1980 ‘Runnymede Bridge 1976: Excavations on the site of a Late Bronze Age settlement’, Surrey Archaeological Society Volume 6, page 19.) discusses awls and comments that they cannot be dated with accuracy within the Bronze Age period as they are found in Early Bronze Age contexts, such as graves as well as Middle and Late Bronze Age hoards.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leigh, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26.02 mm
Thickness: 11.58 mm
Weight: 25.6 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy palstave. The portion which remains is the butt of the palstave. The butt is a sub-trapezoid in plan, with one broken edge which is not a recent break. The section is a rectangle with concave long sides. The terminal edge of the butt is slightly undulating; this is not recent damage as the patina covers these edges. On the sides the casting seam is visible. The fragment is in fair condition with patches of a thin brown patina. It measures 26.02mm long, 25.46mm wide and 11.58mm thick. It weighs 25.6g. 

The fragment is probably dated to the late Bronze Age (-1150 to -800) as the butt is particularly narrow compared to earlier examples.
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chislet, Canterbury, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: A Bronze Age copper alloy blade with perforation (2150-800BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Steep, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 62 mm
Thickness: 14.85 mm
Weight: 175 g
Description: A corroded and incomplete cast copper-alloy flat axehead of Early Bronze Age date. This example is from the earliest bronze working traditions, dating from the centuries after c. 2000 BC. The blade terminates in a rounded, but asymmetrical cutting edge. The terminals are almost right angles but have been rounded off. Bevelling to create the edge is very shallow, beginning well above the line of the terminals. The object continues to expand to the point of an old break.  At this point the rectangular cross-section can clearly be seen; no side flanges are evident. The axe has a variable dark-green patina with extensive lighter pitting and invasive corrosion.
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Soberton, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 92 mm
Thickness: 4.25 mm
Weight: 38.19 g
Description: A fragmentary rapier of Middle Bronze Age date.  The object consists of the butt end and the blade which is broken.  The slightly curved attachment end is slightly abraded and measures 24.3mm across.  Below this it is notched (W.: 20.0mm).  Below it expands, with stepped shoulders, to the widest point (W.: 31.55mm).  Beyond the blade narrows gradually, still narrowing at the break, though increasingly less steeply.  The edges of the blade are bevelled on both sides; the cross-section at the break has the appearance of an oval with winged protrusions.  There is a slight curve upwards at the point of break.  The metal has a variable brown patina, with slight patches of blue-green corrosion product and pitting. The artefact perhaps belongs to the Penard metalworking phase.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Osbaston, Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight: 60 g
Description: Late Bronze age copper alloy axe tip, 56mm long, 40mm wide and 17mm thick (at centre, 4mm at tip). The object is in fair condition and weighs over 60grams. Where original surface is present it has a brownish/orange patina, but it is also heavily corroded in parts. It has a worn, gently curved blade and its damaged edges are heaviliy worn.
Notes: 
could not obtain accurate weight as heavyweight scales not available when recorded.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70.1 mm
Diameter: 5.2 mm
Weight: 8.3 g
Description: A Bronze age copper alloy Awl dating to 2150-800 BC. The awl is linear with a circular section in the centre. At one end the awl narrows to a rounded tip, while the other is flattened to an irregular rectangular cross section, terminating in a broken point. The implement is cast in one piece and is 70.1mm long and 5.2mm in diameter at the centre. The awl weighs 8.3 grams.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1250 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cherry Willingham, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70 mm
Diameter: 18 mm
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy basal-looped copper alloy spearhead. The socket is circular in cross-section and has a complete opening. The socket measures 18mm in external diameter and 16mm internally. There are two side loops on the socket, both of which are pointed oval in plan and rise only a short way from the socket. The side loops measure 14mm in length, 7mm in width and rise approximately 3mm from the surface. Between the loops just in from the rim of the socket there is a small irregular shaped patch of copper alloy that looks to be untrimmed casting waste. The socket tapers to the break, at which point it measures 7mm in diameter with a small opening in the centre. The blade is incomplete. On one side the blade is only represented by a short irregular stub of copper alloy, whereas on the other side the lower part of the blade is in good condition. The blade measures 12mm in width with 2mm of that being the narrowed blade edge. The surviving blade measures 24mm in length. The top of the blade is missing, but the break is fairly regular and looks more like it has been intentionally cut rather than accidently broken. Given that there is untrimmed casting waste and intentional destruction of the object, it would appear that this spear was a ceremonial or ritual item. The spear was discovered in the Witham Valley, in which there is a marked concentration of individual finds of spears and hoards of spears, but few axes.
Object: Hoard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mistley, Tendring, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy hoard comprising three broken socketed axe, five socketed axe fragments and one sword fragment, was found by metal detecting.



Description



1. Body and blade of socketed axe with a long narrow body and flared blade. The patina is dark green. Length: 63.66mm; Width (blade): 41.22mm; Weight: 118.3g



2. Body and blade of socketed axe with a narrow body and flared blade. The patina is dark green. Length: 63.10mm; Width (blade): 41.63mm; Weight: 111.3g



3. Body and blade of socketed axe with a narrow body and flared blade. The patina is dark green, brown and blue. Length: 81.11mm; Width (blade): 39.74mm; Weight: 155.4g



4. Moulding fragment of socketed axe. Double mouth moulding with a prominent upper moulding and a lower moulding. The patina is green. Length: 31.19mm; Width: 26.64mm; Weight: 14.4g



5. Moulding fragment of socketed axe. Double mouth moulding with a prominent upper moulding and a lower moulding. The patina is green. Length: 30.34mm; Width: 25.00mm; Weight: 13.7g



6. Moulding fragment of socketed axe. Single mouth moulding. The patina is dark green and brown. Length: 18.80mm; Width: 25.71mm; Weight: 12g



7. Body fragment of socketed axe. The patina is dark green and brown. Length: 22.61mm; Width: 20.46mm; Weight: 9g



8. Body fragment of socketed axe. The patina is green and brown. Length: 26.44mm; Width: 19.80mm; Weight: 11g



9. Body fragment of socketed axe (?). The patina is dark green. Length: 27.89mm; Width: 11.22mm; Weight: 3g



10. Fragment. The patina is dark green. Length: 14.82mm; Width: 21mm; Weight: 4g



11. Fragment. The patina is dark green. Length: 26.48mm; Width: 21.20mm; Weight: 6g



12. Sword fragment. Blade fragment broken at both ends. The patina is dark green. Length: 30.50mm; Width: 32.66mm; Weight: 29g



13. Fragment. The patina is green and brown. Length: 18.59mm; Width: 18.10mm; Weight: 10g



14. Fragment. The patina is green and brown. Length: 25.82mm; Width: 32.66mm; Weight: 29g
Notes: Discussion The hoard can be dated to the Late Bronze Age (1150 BC-800 BC) due to the presence of a broken socketed axes and a sword blade fragment (Turner 2010).



Conclusion This can be considered as potential Treasure under the 1996 Treasure Act (2002 Amendment).



Reference Turner, L. 2010. A Re-Interpretation of the Later Bronze Age Metalwork Hoards of Essex and Kent. Archaeopress: British Archaeological Reports (British Series 507)



Alessia Murgia (volunteer) & Ben Roberts (Curator of European Bronze Age)
Subsequent action: Returned to Landowner
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Twyford, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39 mm
Description: A Bronze Age copper alloy awl. One end is pointed, the other end flattened.  The awl is 2.1-3.75mm thick.
Notes: No image is available
Object: Hammer (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Salisbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.5 mm
Thickness: 28.2 mm
Weight: 134 g
Description: A corroded and incomplete probable cast copper-alloy socketed hammer of Middle/Late Bronze Age date.  The object has a broadly rectangular terminal (31.0 x 15.25mm), possibly broken, with an uneven surface.  In one plane this tapers, and in the other flares gradually, to a broadly square end (28.2 x 25.2mm) with a central oval hole (12.05 x 9.2 x c. 17mm deep). On one side of the square end, aligned with the narrow end of the terminal is a small broadly circular protrusion.  It is suggested that this is a crude socketed hammer, broken at the socketed end (hence the abnormally shallow and narrow socket), with the stub of an attachment loop surviving. The object is heavily corroded and pitted with a dark green patina where it survives; the metal underneath is a lighter green colour.
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tarrant Hinton, North Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.17 mm
Thickness: 4.16 mm
Weight: 3.67 g
Description: An small, incomplete copper alloy probable chisel.  It has a sub-square cross section (slightly lozengiform) and tapers to a wedge shape at the cutting edge. It is broken at the wider end. It is possibly Bronze Age in date. Two similar vexamples are SOM-256407 and SOMDOR-C4C660 recorded by Dr Naomi Payne.
Dimensions: 37.17 mm x 4.86 mm x 4.16 mm
Weight: 3.67  g 
Date: Bronze AGe - c. 2150 - 800 BC
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Queenstown, Wandsworth, Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 68.91 mm
Thickness: 4.42 mm
Weight: 20.67 g
Description: A late Bronze Age copper alloy sword tip fragment (1150-800BC).  This fragment has a lentoid cross-section, the surfaces have a gentle curve with bevelled cutting edges.  Jon Cotton identified this as the tip from a leaf-shaped sword dating to the Late Bronze Age.






Dimensions: length: 68.91mm; width: 24.80mm; thickness: 4.42mm; weight: 20.67g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Meon, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.2 mm
Thickness: 4.6 mm
Weight: 23.36 g
Description: A fragment from a rapier of Middle Bronze Age date. The object consists of the butt end and the blade which is broken. All of the edges have been abraded and broken to a greater or lesser extent.  The attachment end is broadly curved.  It expands from this point to shoulders that reach a maximum width of 32.45mm.  Above one of these shoulders is a removal.  From this wide point the blade narrows gradually, still narrowing at the break, though increasingly less steeply. The edges of the blade are bevelled on both sides; the cross-section at the break has a broadly oval appearance. Where it survives the metal has a mid-green patina, which blackens towards the blade. There are large areas where the patina has been lost to corrosion. The artefact probably belongs to the Penard metalworking phase.
Object: Hammer (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kippax, Leeds, Leeds (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 65.3 mm
Weight: 102.64 g
Description: A copper alloy socketed hammer dating from the Middle to Late Bronze Age. It has a length of 65.30mm, width 19.50mm and a weight of 102.64g. The hammer has a rectangular section. The rounded open end has a raised collar which surrounds it. Two small raised points protrude from the top, just below the collar.  These are the remains of a loop, probably to help attach the hammer to the haft. The object is filled with soil but would have been hollow. The rectangular end looks to have been used to strike objects as it is damaged, and the copper has started to fold over at the edges. Similar examples can be seen on the database: SUSS-2D5992 or HAMP-1F3730. Further examples are also illustrated in The Handbook of British Archaeology (Roberts forthcoming) and Worrell 2004, Bronze Age Training notes (unpublished). The hammer probably dates from 1500 – 800 BC.
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Broome, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.91 mm
Weight: 10.5 g
Description: Copper alloy casting waste; sprue or jet. The sprue is an inverted conical which is sub-circular in section and a concave upper edge. The tip is blunt. The sprue has a mid green patina. It measures 21.91mm long, 17.7mm wide and weighs 10.5g. 

The sprue is likely to date to the Bronze Age.
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1150 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: WEYBRIDGE, Elmbridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Three small fragments of metal working debris, possibly, though far from certainly, of Bronze Age date. The pieces weigh 45g, 24.25g and 42.95g.
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -300)
Found: Salisbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.24 mm
Thickness: 9.84 mm
Weight: 10.74 g
Description: Incomplete Middle Bronze Age to Early Iron Age bronze 'half-moustache'-like object with damage at both ends. It measures 36.24x9.87x9.84mm and weighs 10.74g. 

The object resembles half a moustache and consists of one solid pointed drop-shape. It is uncertain if it was originally a single half (as these are known) or one half of an original whole which would have been joined to the second half by a (probably perforated) central area.

At the wider end (9.87x9.84mm) the jagged (old) break stands 3.6mm proud of the solid object, suggesting the end would have been hollow, perhaps for attachment purposes. This half of the 'half moustache' is decorated with longitudinal pronounced ridges and deep grooves (twenty ridges) which encircle the outside edge whilst the object itself narrows and thins to 7.33x9.18mm. On the underside three ridges there are obscured slightly by a smoother patch of copper alloy, apparently over the top of the ridges. 

Beyond this the object tapers more dramatically to an (old) break 4.07x4.64mm. This half is plain, if badly pitted through loss of patina.

These moustache-like objects are thought to date from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age, after the discovery of one in the Salisbury Hoard (Stead, 1998, no.117). Three other examples are known besides the twelve recorded on the PAS database. Some of these are single examples, while others are 'double' sometimes with a central perforation. This suggests the object was meant to top something that fitted into this gap. Descriptions of other moustache-like objects with perforations describe iron corrosion or wood mineralisation around the perforation. Although very similar to wing-shaped chapes, it seems unlikely they had a similar function, as the perforation (and size of the object) is comparably small. Dr JD Hill feels these objects date to the Iron Age rather than the Bronze Age.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Linwood, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.4 mm
Thickness: 13.4 mm
Description: Fragment from the cutting edge of a Bronze Age socketed axe.
Notes: Recorded at the Linwood Rally (Market Rasen), Lincolnshire, 4-6th September 2009.
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Limpsfield, Tandridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Two copper alloy ingots;  the first 50mm in maximum length and weighing 144g. The second 40.6mm in maximum length and weighing 104g. Possibly of Bronze Age date.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Thorpe Constantine, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 134.1 mm
Thickness: 23.3 mm
Weight: 400 g
Description: A Middle Bronze Age cast copper alloy flanged palstave axehead of Acton-Taunton type, dating from circa 1500-1300 BC.  The side flanges are lozenge shaped, and rise to 23.3 mm at their highest. A ridged stop separates the blade from the septum at 53 mm from the end of the butt. The stop is 4.1 mm thick. The butt is slightly damaged, with a crescent shaped gap. Based on the patina, this occurred in antiquity and may have been a mistake in the casting of the axehead. The blade is wide and crescent shaped, measuring 73 mm wide. The axehead is 26.6 mm wide at the butt end and 134.1 mm in length. It weighs 400 grams. The cutting edge is still fairly sharp. The object has a dark brown to green patina, but is suffering from verdigre in places.  This example is undecorated and has neither shield nor rib decoration on the blade. The absence of an attachment loop also suggests it falls within the earlier part of the phase.
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Woodlands, East Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 101.9 mm
Thickness: 2.53 mm
Weight: 24.92 g
Description: A double-sided tanged knife blade of probable late Bronze Age date. The knife blade is 18.3mm wide; the tang is 1.24mm thcik and 2.8mm thick at the shoulder with the blade.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -700)
Found: Tilshead, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Other chance find
Length: 83.62 mm
Thickness: 43 mm
Weight: 213.39 g
Description: Late Bronze Age (1000 – 700 BC) cast bronze faceted Socketed Axehead of type Gillespie, sometimes known as ‘baggy axe’. It measures 83.62mm in length and weighs 213.39g.

The axe has a faceted, short, broad and baggy body with a gentle curve at the sides extending into a flared trumpet shaped mouth at one end and expanded cutting edge at the other. Both cutting edge and mouth are of similar width, making the axehead rather symmetrical.

The mouth is circular in shape and measures c.43mm in diameter. It has a deep flaring collar which has a moulded rim at the edge. The socket is rather more oval in shape, measuring 32.8x29.61mm. It is 67mm deep.

The loop projects just beneath the flaring collar, where the body measures 37x34mm. From here, the sides drop with a very gentle curve to the expanded cutting edge, 48.97mm wide. The facets extend inwards of the edge in a deep curve, which straightens to a vertical roughly half way along the body of the axe.

The surface is extremely pitted though the patina is preserved in some areas, notably the cutting edge which has obviously had additional work in its lifetime. The casting flashes around the loop have been smoothed but area still visible, unlike the join on the other side where they are not visible. There also appear to be casting flashes around the mouth moulding (possibly an additional, thinner moulding below that of the open end) but this seems unfinished, or else obscured by pitting.

The inside of the socket shows two prominent ribs from the corresponding grooves of the core.

This axe is of a type which is known as Type Gillespie, which Burgess and Schmidt suggest is associated with later Wilburton metalworking traditions and Ewart Park tradition. It has been suggested that this form of facet axe continues production into the Llyn Fawr tradition (which is the transitional period between the metalwork of the Bronze and Iron Ages).

Cf. Schmidt & Burgess, The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, Plate 77.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whitwick, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 126 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Description: Mid Bronze Age copper alloy palstave, 126mm long, 44mm wide at the tip, 28mm wide at the base, and 26mm thick. The object is in fairish condition with a brown patina. The axe is fairly worn and has no trace of a side loop. The blade is still sharp and splays slightly at each end. Its surface is plain and it has a pronounced sub triangular flange on one side only.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Glemsford, Babergh, Suffolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 22.17 g
Description: Early Bronze Age copper alloy axe tip, 31mm long, 31mm wide and 6mm thick. The object is in fair condition and weighs 22.17g. It represents the broken tip of an early Bronze age flat axe with a slightly flared blade.
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (1500 to 200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nantmel, Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26.95 mm
Weight: 36 g
Description: This copper alloy lump has been consciously shaped and has some antiquity to it.  It is possibly Bronze Age, as to function; it is possibly a casting sprue.  See find number WAW-48D8F4 for a parallel.  In support of the date, it was found near the location of five scattered BA palstaves.   One other possibility would be that of a gaming piece, perhaps Roman in date.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.28 mm
Weight: 10.1 g
Description: A small fragment of a socketed axe comprising the loop and part of the rim.
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Water Newton, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19.63 mm
Thickness: 4.87 mm
Weight: 6.4 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy late Bronze Age socketed axehead. Only the socket end of the axehead remains; it is collared and the breaks are recent. This is an axe from the Ewart Park phase (c.1000- c. 800BC). Length 19.63mm, width 32.27mm, thickness 4.87mm and weight 6.4g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chesterton, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50.81 mm
Weight: 18.1 g
Description: Part of a Late Bronze Age copper-alloy awl. Length 50.81mm, width 9.64mm and weight 18.1g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lichfield, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31.6 mm
Diameter: 15.3 mm
Weight: 12.8 g
Description: Cast copper-alloy socketed fragment, probably a side-looped or basal-looped socketed spearhead from the Middle Bronze Age (1500 - 1050 BC).



Mass: 12.8g; length: 31.6mm; external diameter (base): 15.3mm.



The tapering fragment is complete at the base but broken at the top across the socket and the diametrically opposed and incomplete loops. The fragment has a brown, pitted surface.
Notes: Find has been recorded twice. This artefact is the same as WMID2353.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fulford, Stafford, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 71.8 mm
Thickness: 4.6 mm
Weight: 27.34 g
Description: A copper-alloy, Bronze Age chisel of middle Bronze Age date, circa 1500-1150 BC. The chisel is tanged rather than socketed, though part of the tang appears to have been broken off in antiquity. Between the tang and the blade there is a stop ridge. After the stop ridge the blade flares gradually towards the edge.  The chisel has the familiar dark green patina associated with artefacts of Bronze Age date, though it is in poor condition and some of the patina is flaking away. The thin tip of the blade is in particularly fragmentary condition. The chisel measures 71.8 mm in length, is 4.6 mm in thickness and flares from 5.9 mm to 26.3 mm thick from the tang to the blade. It weighs 27.34 grams.