dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1600 to -401)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Great Gransden, Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Height: 9.9 mm
Diameter: 15.9 mm
Weight: 6.78 g
Description: A copper-alloy biconical bead of sub-circular to oval shape dating to the Bronze Age, probably middle Bronze Age to early Iron Age. This bead weighs 6.78g. It measures 15.9mm x 14.7mm transversely across the perforation and has a 'height', on the same axis as the perforation, of 9.9mm. The external surfaces of the bead are smooth, polished and undecorated. One side has a small irregular shaped depression at the mid point in the height. This area measures 4.7mm x height 3.1mm and is probably most likely to be the result of a casting imperfection rather than post-production damage.



The perforation is circular in shape with a diameter of 4.9mm on one side. On the opposing side the perforation has a diameter of 5.6mm. Much of the internal perforation wall is cylindrical with relatively vertical sides. However, on the side where there is an external surface depression, the perforation wall is significantly concave. This considerably reduces the thickness of the bead's wall at this location. An area of approximately 1.3mm diameter is so thin that it must have almost broken through to form a hole.



The metal is a relatively dark colour. XRF anaylsis (uncalibrated) confirms the presence of: Tin - 39.5%, Copper - 33.4%, Antimony - 9.8%, Lead - 8.3%, Iron - 7.1%, Arsenic - 1.2%, Silver - 0.8%.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rothley, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 87 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 55.95 g
Description: Mid to late Bronze Age blade fragment, 87mm long, 27mm wide and 6mm thick with a weight of 55.95g. The object is rectangular in form and pointed oval in cross section. It is incomplete on all sides but has a visible bevel c.2mm away from the present edge along one long edge (far right as shown) The cross section has a wide central section 6mm thick and then it gently thins down to c. 2mm at the present edges.
Notes: 
Donated to Leicestershire Museums by the finders widow, Mrs C. Naylor.

Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cliddesden, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 75.3 mm
Diameter: 4.3 mm
Weight: 6.02 g
Description: A (probably later) Bronze Age (c.1150-800 BC) copper alloy tanged awl, with both tang and pointed end slightly bent. The center of the awl is circular in cross-section, tapering to a rectangular-sectioned tang and circular-sectioned tip.

The total length of the awl is 75.3mm, with the circular cross-section 4.3mm in diameter and a weight of 6.02g. The tang measures 2.4mm in width and 0.6mm in thickness, and the pointed end 1.0mm in diameter. The patina is greeny-brown in colour and a little rough.
The form of the awl does not change much through time and similar objects are also noted in the Roman period and possibly later.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ribbon (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1150)
Material: Gold 
Found: Whitchurch Canonicorum, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.3 mm
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Weight: 3.5 g
Description: TREASURE CASE 2018 T373. Description: An incomplete strip of decorated gold, of probable Bronze Age dating (c. 2150 BC to c. 1150 BC). The strip is an oval/ellipse shaped band that tapers towards the possible terminals. The terminals have a corrugated appearance consisting of three or four peaks and troughs, each created length-ways for approximately one quarter of the object&#39;s length. The central section of the band is undecorated but, like the rest of the object, displays a number of scuffs and striations to both surfaces. There is evidence of a fold at either end of the corrugation and a third diagonal fold across the centre of the object. The finder reported that he unfolded the object himself, thinking at first that it was modern foil.

Dimensions: 53.3mm long, 13.3mm wide, 0.5mm thick, 3.5 grams.

Discussion: It is difficult to identify the object as a particular object type, although it may belong to a range of ribbon, or strip ornaments of Bronze Age date. A number of parallels have been recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (Northfleet, Kent: Treasure Case 2004 T326, Brixton Deverill, Wiltshire: 2006 T250, Gussage-all-Saints, Dorset: 2013 T428, Roche, Corwall: 2014 T39 and Wantage, Oxon 2013 T674). As Dr S. Needham pointed out in the report for Brixton Deverill (2006 T250): &#39;a range of ribbon, or strip ornaments in gold are known from the British Bronze Age, including for torcs, bracelets and small fittings&#39;.

Conclusion: This fragment has a precious metal content of greater than 10% and is, on the balance of probabilities, of prehistoric date. It therefore qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act (1996).
Subsequent action: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1500 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fulstow, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.93 mm
Diameter: 4.98 mm
Weight: 4.86 g
Description: A very worn, cast copper-alloy possible awl dating from the middle Bronze-Age to Roman periods, c. 1500 BC - 410 AD. 



Description: The object is broadly a thin pointed oval shape in plan, wider in the centre and narrowing towards each end. One end is broken and the other end comes to a worn and rounded point. It is circular in section along most of its length, but flattening towards the pointed end to become oval in section.



Measurements: Length 52.93mm: Diameter at widest point 4.98mm: Weight 4.86g



Discussion: Very similar awls are recorded as PUBLIC-C02189, SUR-1DDDA9, WILT-776792 and NLM-146403
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Northwold, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43 mm
Diameter: 20.5 mm
Weight: 14.3 g
Description: Incomplete Middle Bronze Age socketed spearhead dating to the period c. 1500 - 900 BC. The mouth of the socket is broken around its circumference; all breaks heavily abraded. The majority of the blade is missing, also due to old breaks, as is the tip of the spearhead. The conical socket exhibits a single drilled peg or rivet hole on one side. The metal has a slivery sheen, indicating a high tin content.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to 700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fulstow, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 16.34 mm
Thickness: 9.56 mm
Weight: 6.38 g
Description: A copper-alloy casting jet with the remains of a runner below probably dating to the Bronze-Age. 



Description: The jet is derived from casting in bronze. It is sub-oval in plan, unevenly concave on its upper surface and convex on its underside representing the depression in the clay or other mould material which was filled with molten metal. Projecting from the convex underside is the remaining short stub of an irregularly-shaped runner. There is possibly the remains of another runner, represented now by just a slight oval bump on the underside next to the existing runner. The jet has an uneven, irregular surface with an even, mid-green-brown patina.



Measurements: Length 16.34mm: Width 13.28mm: Thickness 9.56mm: Weight 6.38g



Discussion: Another casting jet dating to the Bronze-Age is also recorded from the same site LIN-0735F7
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Great Yeldham, Braintree, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 95.96 mm
Thickness: 9.86 mm
Weight: 33.23 g
Description: A fragment of cast copper-alloy spearhead, likely dating to the Middle Bronze Age (III) or Late Bronze Age - likely from the Wilburton, Blackmoor / Ewart Park phases. c.1200-750 BC.



Description: The fragment represents most of the spear's upper section and is missing only part of the point. It is long, tapering and narrowing, with a very high angular midrib flanked by moulded channels. The fragment is very warped and bent, typical of intentional 'killed' bronze age objects, leaving it almost S-shaped in profile. On one side of the edge there is another possible intentional bend. The break at the point and towards the butt end are both jagged but worn and patinated. At the butt end break it is shown to be hollow indicating it would have been socketed. The fragment is patinated a dark brown colour with very sparse tiny green speckles. There is a red concretion in parts of the moulded midrib channel.



Measurements: 95.96mm long, 20.35mm wide (at widest remaining), 9.86mm thick (at thickest remaining point) and 33.23g in weight.



Discussion: Peter Reavill (FLO Herefordshire & Shropshire) comments 'Most Bronze Age spearheads are classified by blade shape or socket arrangements - so without those [there will be some uncertainty in classifying this example]. The blade is very large - given that this is just the upper part - so [dating cannot be narrowed further] than very late MBA (III) or LBA - Wilburton, Blackmoor / Ewart Park. so 1200-750. The blade though is very narrow and has a high mid-rib as well as raised flanking mouldings so would guess it is either a Davis Group 9 (1100 -975) Group 16 Lunate blade opening (1100- 800) or a Group 17 channelled blade (950-750). [It is likely that this fragment represents] the top 1/3 of the spearhead, [so when complete would have been a] massive one.



Matt Knight (pers. comms.) from National Museum Scotland has pointed out that the deformation of this object is certainly intentional and occurred when the object was heated, becoming plastic and then struck with a hammer causing some breakage but also the aforementioned deformation. This heated damage also explains why the breaks are not as jagged as one would expect from a cold break.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Adze (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Horton, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 125 mm
Weight: 138.02 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy palstave adze 1500 - 1150BC. The length is 125mm, the width of blade is 28mm thickness 20mm and the weight 138.02g. The object is rectangular in form and cross section and is intact, with slight damage to its butt end and some of its surface.



The butt end is rectangular in form and triangular in cross section, with each face having a rectangular shaped recess with a raised border to contain the handle. The blade, which has an elongated triangular cross section, tapers in width from the point it joins the butt. Overall it is 20mm wide and rectangular in form, then flares out to form a curved cutting edge 28mm wide at its flared tip. On each narrow side, just below the butt recess, is a small triangular recess with a slightly raised border. Further along the blade edge are diagonal ridges/ripples formed at casting. The object is otherwise plain.



These are very rare objects, other examples are LEIC-58C955,  WAW-FLB395 and Wiltshire WILT-DBCAF4 and on this example Brendan O'Connor commented: 'This is a type known to Evans (Ancient bronze implements, p 85, figs 70-1). One of these is illustrated by Rowlands, The production and distribution of metalworking the Middle Bronze Age in southern Britain, pl 34, 1110'. Two further examples have been found in Crosby Ravensworth, Cumbria LANCUM-5CE338 and Gisburn in Lancashire LANCUM-64B7A.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pershore, Wychavon, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18.56 mm
Thickness: 6.8 mm
Weight: 10.21 g
Description: Bronze Age (c. 1600 to 800 BC) axe or chisel blade fragment: An incomplete blade portion of the copper alloy axe or chisel remains. The blade is triangular in section, has a straight side to the corner of the blade. The break behind the blade is not recent.   with the broken edge traversing the axe revealing a short portion of the socket. The blade has traces of a shiny brown patina with a pitted surface.



The fragment measures 18.56mm in length, 29.51mm in width and 6.8mm at the thickest point, and weighs 10.21g.



The fragment is possibly a Bronze Age chisel or axe.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1800 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Threekingham, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Description: 
An incomplete Bronze Age copper alloy socketed spear, dating from the mid/late Bronze Age period. The spear is very worn, and would probably have been broader. The tip of the spear is blunt, as well as the blades. The blade wings are abraded and irregular, with the socket being broken, with small pieces of wood still inside. The damage to the socket may have occured before post-deposition, possibly from the result of action of some sort.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Votive Model (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1000 to -500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Milton-under-Wychwood, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18 mm
Thickness: 1.2 mm
Weight: 1.49 g
Description: ~~A complete Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age copper alloy votive model of a miniature wheel dated to c. 1000-500 BC. The wheel is circular in plan with a trapezoidal shaped 'axel' from which four spokes radiate before joining the outer rim. The rim of the wheel and the spokes are rectangular in cross section. There is a circular perforation in the centre of the axle which appears to have been drilled. The upper corners of the model are slightly rounded while the reverse are angular.



On the record for HESH-C53CF4, which is very similar to this example, Peter Reavill writes:



"This form of artefact is relatively rare and the PAS has only recorded one other example from Thimbleby, Lincolnshire (DENO-0BBA52). Images of this artefact were sent to Dr Adam Gwilt at NMGW, Cardiff. Dr Gwilt suggested that similar comparable artefacts had been recorded in the late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age assemblage from the votive site at Flag Fen, Peterborough, amongst the Iron Age Salisbury hoard, and also the Hounslow Hoard. "



See KENT-9348EE, KENT-70F063, PUBLIC-7D1FFC and HESH-C53CF4 for similar examples.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-1550 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Merton, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.1 mm
Weight: 2.9 g
Description: An incomplete copper-alloy arrowhead or spearhead of unknown date, probably middle Bronze Age date, c. 1500 - 1000 BC or possibly later into the Roman period. Only the tip of the spear remains which is triangular in plan and lozenge in section with mid-ribs. No socket is present. An insufficient portion of the spear remains to prove diagnostic, therefore a specific type cannot be attributed.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Swannington, Broadland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight: 20.84 g
Description: Fragment of a Bronze Age copper alloy axe, cutting edge with ancient breaks, loss of surface and corrosion. Extant length 25mm. Extant width 35mm. Extant thickness 7mm. Weight 20.84g. c. 2350 - c.700 BC.



(Finder's number AD 496)
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Houghton, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20.4 mm
Thickness: 5.79 mm
Weight: 7.5 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy Socketed Axehead of Late Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The object is a portion of the haft-end of a socketed axe.  The retained fragment is one of the sides of the mouth of the socket. The outer edge of the object has a raised lip with a longitudinal raised mid rib.





The metal is a mid-brown in colour with areas of green corrosion.





Length: 20.40mm, Width: 18.24mm, Thickness: 5.79mm, Weight: 7.5g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Houghton, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.31 mm
Thickness: 4.18 mm
Weight: 3 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy axehead of Bronze Age. The retained portion of the object is the cutting edge of the axehead. The blade edge is mostly intact and has a convex curve. The fragment has a broadly rectangular cross-section at the break. The object tapers outward from the cutting edge.





The metal is a mid-green in colour with a predominantly smooth patina.





Length: 28.31mm, Width: 8.20mm, Thickness: 4.18mm, Weight: 3.0g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Houghton, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42 mm
Thickness: 4.97 mm
Weight: 13.4 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy Blade, Dagger or Rapier, of Mid to Late Bronze Age date (1600-800 BC). The object is rectangular in plan and a pointed oval in cross section. It is incomplete on all sides but has a visible bevel along the left and right hand edges away from the mid-rib. The cutting edges have been extensively broken and abraded.





The metal is a mid-green in colour with a slightly pitted patina.





Length: 42.00mm, Width: 16.01mm, Thickness: 4.97mm, Weight: 13.40g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Houghton, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.43 mm
Thickness: 6.29 mm
Weight: 4.2 g
Description: A fragment of a copper-alloy Socketed Axehead of Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The object is rectangular in shape and it has an L-shaped cross section. The longer of the two retained sides retains the casting seam and a circumferential raised lip. The external shape and the internal mould suggest that the fragment comes from the socketed portion of the object.





The metal is green in colour with a pitted and corroded in patina.





Length: 28.43mm, Width: 21.90mm, Thickness: 6.29mm, Weight: 4.20g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Houghton, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 17.08 mm
Thickness: 5.17 mm
Weight: 9.3 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy "Moustache-shaped" object probably of Middle Bronze Age to Middle Iron Age date (1500-300 BC). The object consists of two pointed drop-shaped elements (both points partially lost), D-shaped in cross-section and joined at their widest point, by a longitudinally recessed oval neck. There are multiple longitudinal grooves on the upper face on both domed sides of the object, the tapering lower parts are plain. The two moustache tips or prongs flare slightly outwards and terminate with a small rounded knop. The central neck section of the object is plain and undecorated but the underside (between the two prongs) has a sub-circular perforation, believed to facilitate the attachment of the object.





The metal is a mid-green in colour with a smooth patina.





Length: 17.08mm, Width: 17.34mm, Thickness: 5.17mm, Weight: 9.30g.
Notes: 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). An example was found recently in a Middle Bronze Age context at Clay Farm, Cambridgeshire (Current Archaeology March 2012, Issue 264, 35). Some are 'single' examples while others are 'double' like this example, the drop-shaped elements often extending downwards rather more than outwards, for example YORYM-1AA0C5, SF-520513, HAMP-6F4C45, BERK-C3E5A3 and BH-AA1CBE.

The open area at the centre of the object suggests it was meant to top something that fitted into this gap. Descriptions of other moustache-like objects with similar 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.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rillington, Ryedale, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 106.5 mm
Thickness: 13.3 mm
Weight: 188 g
Description: An incomplete copper-alloy flanged Ulrome type axehead of middle Bronze Age date, c.AD 1600 - 1300 BC. Acton Park II / Taunton phase.



The axehead is sub-rectangular in plan with a rounded butt end which extends to a curved cutting edge with splayed crescentic blade.



Two integral lateral lozenge shaped flanges are present along either side, rising steadily from the butt, rounding off at the apex midway along the body, before sloping steadily back down to the blade.



Each tip of the flanges curve slight in toward the body of the axe, though one tip is lost to a worn break. The exterior surfaces of the flanges have been filed smooth leaving no visible casting lines.



A slight steepening to the profile of the axe is present where the flanges meet the body representing a very slight stop-ridge.



The metal has a dark brown patina with some bubbly green corrosion, possibly signs of bronze disease. The axehead is 106.5mm long, 45.9mm wide at the blade, 25.3mm wide at the butt end, 27.9mm thick at the widest point of the flanges, 13.3mm thick at the widest point of the main body and weighs 188g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1250 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Quainton, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 96.1 mm
Thickness: 7.5 mm
Weight: 18.15 g
Description: A complete, Bronze age copper-alloy tanged awl (c. 1250-800 BC). The tanged section has been flattened and tapers down to a squared, bent end with a rectangular cross-section. The awl which has six facets of uneven width, tapering down to a point. Length 96.1mm. Width 8.5mm, Thickness 7.5mm. Weight 18.15g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Uffington, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23.4 mm
Thickness: 10.6 mm
Weight: 42.9 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper-alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date. Only the blade edge survives intact, the remainder now missing due to old breaks. The blade edge narrows to a flat tip, still relatively sharp, and is curved in form with expanded sides that narrow in towards the main section of the axe. In cross section the axe head is rectangular in plan and is hollow, showing the beginnings (or end) of a socket. The fragment has a light blue-green patina but much of this original surface is missing from one side of the blade. This is a fragment of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe, possibly from the Ewart Park phase of metalwork c. 1000 - 800 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1450 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Salterforth, Pendle, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39 mm
Weight: 14.41 g
Description: Cast copper alloy unlooped palstave axe probably dating to the Middle Bronze Age palstave 1450 to 1200BC. The axe shares similarities with the Taunton metalwork assemblage and Hotham related to the palstaves of the Acton Park metalwork assemblage to which it bears some resemblance similar to Needham et al fig 140 (1985) and Read (1995: p.3 fig 9 ). The axe is almost complete with a length of 123mm. The butt is slightly concave and has a width of 20mm. The flanges are flat, longiform in plan, straight and parallel as far as the stop, with a width of 20mm. The blade is flaring 42mm wide with a slightly bevelled facet possibly as a result of hammering. The septum is pronounced with a central rib down the length of the blade and the edge of the butt maybe slightly broken. The axe has a green patina with green colouration in patches and there are various nicks along the length. The axe is 20mm wide and there are no traces of casting flashes on the flange facets which must have been filed away and the weight is 171.06g. The axe is warped and may have been miscast. The axe share similarities with, NMGW-D73AD4 and NMGW-FAACD2.

The palstave shares typological features with Group I and Group II palstaves, the primary forms introduced to Britain in the Middle Bronze Age (Schmidt and Burgess 1981). As there are no side loops but it has a midrib, this palstave may be relatively early, probably a Group I type from the Acton Park phase of Bronze Age metalwork, c1450-1300BC.

Schmidt and Burgess tell us that the term 'palstave' is misleading, as it comes from the Icelandic 'Paalstab' meaning a digging tool, not a type of axe. The term is used in British archaeology to describe an axe where there is a stop and the flanges disappear into the stop. Palstaves are also thicker below the stop. They are usually decorated on the blade and, as time went on, developed loops. Group I palstaves have a shield-like decoration below the stop ridge and variable flanges.

The concentration of palstaves in the North West of England is explained by the proximity to the Acton Park province, the major production area in north Wales and the Marches

British Bronze Age metalwork. A1-6., Early Bronze Age hoards / by Stuart P. Needham, Andrew J. Lawson and H. Stephen Green. London : Published and distributed for the Trustees of the BritishMuseum by British Museum Publications, 1985. ISBN - 0714113808 (unbound)

Read, B. 1995. History Beneath Our Feet. Anglia Publishing, Ipswich

Schmidt, P. K. and Burgess, C. B., 1981. The axes of Scotland and Northern England Munchen : C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 119
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Slag (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-1150 to 1750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brigstock, East Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.86 mm
Thickness: 5.69 mm
Weight: 13.9 g
Description: An amorphic piece of copper alloy Slag of Unknown date (1150 BC-AD 1750). The surface is characterised by lumps and hollows. The slag has a deep green and brown colour with a pitted patina. The back of the object is flatted while the front is convex. Scientific analysis of the elemental composition of the copper alloy would allow a more accurate date to be suggested.





Length: 39.86mm, Width: 34.54mm, Thickness: 5.69mm, Weight: 13.9g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eythorne, Dover, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.87 mm
Thickness: 15.54 mm
Weight: 80.65 g
Description: A fragment of the lower part of a copper alloy socketed looped axe dating from the Late Bronze Age, i.e. c. 1000-800BC. Possibly of plain South Eastern Type.



Description:



The fragment survives only as the blade end. The sides curve inwards from the curved crescent blade-edge, flaring in section to a rectangle. The break across the body is irregular. The surface of the axe is heavily mottled dark to light green to dark brown in patina and is heavily pitted by corrosion across its entirety. It looks like it was not faceted or had a ribbed decoration.



Masurements: 32.87mm long, 45.8mm wide, 15.54mm thick and 80.65g in weight
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Selling, Swale, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.5 mm
Thickness: 15.54 mm
Weight: 13.31 g
Description: A fragment of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe head, probably dating to 1100-800 BC.



Description: The fragment survives only as the cutting edge and part of the long rectangular socketed body. The cutting edge survives intact, albeit heavily worn and runs in a very shallow convex curve, the blade tips flare slightly outwards. The surviving cross section of the socket is sub-oval. The remaing body appears to be undecorrated although with such little remaining it is not possible to be sure althoguh part of a casting seam. The axhead is patinated a mid green and the breaks have lead to more extensive corrosion.



Measurements: Length: 30.5mm, Width: 28.45mm, Thickness: 13.31mm, Weight: 21.36g.



Discussion: Although the fragment is too small to be certain, it probably fits into the Ewart park or Wilburton metal working groups, giving it a date of 1100-800 BC (Schmidt & Burgess 1981: 119).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: White Notley, Braintree, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41.9 mm
Thickness: 9.8 mm
Weight: 9.5 g
Description: Copper-alloy cast chisel of probable Bronze Age date (c. 2350 - 801BC).



The item is composed of a waisted portion with a curved end comprising the chisel edge, and a tapering square sectioned length emerging from the opposite side.



The joint between the emergent square sectioned length and the chisel 'body' is the thickest part of the item.



Dimensions: weight: 9.5g, length: 41.9mm, width: 12.2mm, thickness: 9.8mm
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2250 to -1900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leintwardine, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: A very worn and incomplete cast copper alloy (bronze) flat axe of Early Bronze Age date (c. 2200 - 2000 BC).



The flat axe is broadly sub triangular in plan with a splayed crescent shaped blade. In profile it is broadly lentoid, with slightly tapering edges. In cross section the axe is rectangular. One long edge is curved and the opposite is relatively flat. 



The tips of the crescent shaped blade have been damaged through either abrasion or wear, as has the blade edge itself. A distinct blade facet is not present; it has been lost through abrasion. There is no evidence of any form of incised or cast decoration present on any surface of the axe. However, almost all of the original patina has been lost through laminating corrosion.  The axe is a mid green colour; where damage has occurred there is a light green active corrosion product present. The axehead is best described as coming from the first phases of the Early Bronze Age and is comparable to Migdale axes (many of these tend to have narrower butts which flare at the cutting edge). Closest parallel is no 67, discovered at Hill of Finglenny. The axe is similar in size to HESH-ACD6C1 which is described as potentially small in length. 



These axes all fit within the earliest phases of metal working in Britain, metalworking stage II, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 2 circa 2350- 2050 CAL. BC. This means that they are dated, broadly, to the same period as Beaker pottery, barbed and tanged flint arrowheads, copper halberds and gold lunulae.



The object measures 89.6 mm in length, 42.9 mm in width at the blade end, thickness is 5.7 mm and the object weighs 77.6 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hilton, South Derbyshire, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 122.26 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight: 215.7 g
Description: A cast copper alloy, Bronze Age (c. 1500-1000 BC) looped (missing), palstave axe head. The axe head comprises a curved, fan shaped cutting edge, which has suffered damage and corrosion. This tapers back in a curve to the stop ridge, before levelling out to form the rest of the axe. There is a prominent vertical rib running down the centre of the blade on both faces, from the stop ridge, to within approximately 20mm from the blade's edge, this is mirrored by two slighter ribs running either side, along the blades edges. Casting seams are visible along both sides of the axe head. Just below the stop ridge are traces of where the loop would have been situated. Below the stop ridges, on either side, are very slight flanges, which taper and then disappear towards the butt of the object. The area between these flanges is slightly curved in profile, with trace of an unidentied material on one side. Areas of the axe head are delaminating, with flaking on parts of the surface.
Notes: 
This object has been treated by the finder, by coating in olive oil. The object has been passed to the University of Lincoln for conservation.

Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-1150 to 1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Haversham-cum-Little Linford, Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50.3 mm
Thickness: 6.6 mm
Weight: 7.14 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy possible awl of uncertain date, possibly dating to the Late Bronze Age - Medieval period, 1150 BC - AD.1100. The object is a single cast chisel with a flat bladed terminal that widens towards the middle of the piece before tapering down to a point which is now worn. There is no decoration on the object and it has an dark red brown patina. Small chisels and tools of this type were used for an extensive period of time, not simply in the Bronze age, but also in later periods for jewellery making and fine work. As such dating the object is difficult. The awl measures 50.3mm in length, 6.6mm in thickness, and weighs 7.14g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leckhampstead, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 17.18 mm
Thickness: 5.16 mm
Weight: 5.1 g
Description: A cast copper alloy Unidentified object, possibly a fragment of metalworking debris dating to the Late Bronze Age (1000-800 BC). The object is sub-rectangular in shape with one vertical groove which runs the length of the upper face. The groove creates two rounded ovate ridges. The other side of the object is undecorated and slightly rounded. The object terminates in a transverse beak at either end.



The metal is light green in colour with areas of dark green and a predominantly smooth patina.



Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database: KENT-A1C3D4



Length: 17.18mm, Width: 16.65mm, Thickness: 5.16mm, Weight: 5.1g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Foulsham, Broadland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 81 mm
Weight: 164.79 g
Description: Incomplete Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe in fairly fresh condition with prominent casting seams, slightly asymmetrical cutting edge, V-shaped break in upper edge of socket. Greyish metal indicating a probable high tin content in the alloy. Length 81mm. Width of cutting edge 46mm. Weight 164.79g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Portesham, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.62 mm
Diameter: 6.96 mm
Weight: 5.77 g
Description: Cast copper alloy awl. The the awl is sub-circular in cross-section and is faceted longitudinally. It tapers to a point at both ends. One end is slightly thicker than the other and is damaged and corroded.
Date: Bronze Age - c. 2150 - 800 BC
Dimensions: 47.62 mm x 6.62 mm
Weight: 5.77g



Plain copper alloy awls are hard to date precisely but ones of this form are known 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: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Winterton, North Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Height: 18.2 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 2.59 g
Description: Copper alloy axe head fragment. A tiny chip from the end of the cutting edge of a cast axe head, possibly parted from its matrix at the site of a casting flaw. The cutting edge was crescentic with abrupt ends, though too little remains to firmly ascribe this scrap to a particular type. Suggested date: Middle to Late Bronze Age, 1600-800 BC.



Height: 18.2mm, Width: 9.5mm, Thickness: 5mm, Weight: 2.59gms
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Worfield, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 86.42 mm
Thickness: 18.55 mm
Weight: 45.71 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy socketed, side-looped spearhead, dating from the early Middle Bronze Age (c.1550-1250 BC). The spear can probably be assigned to Davis's Group 7 'Special Side Looped'. The object has a broken blade of indented quadrilateral section. There is a prominent longitudinal mid-rib on both sides of the spear blade and abraded cutting edges. Approximately one third of the blade has been broken off. The socketed end of the spear measures 15.76mm in diameter. The single side loop towards the base of the socketed end has since broken away. There is a hole on one face of the object in the centre of the of the blade wings at the base, which appears to have been formed through corrosion in antiquity. Much of the original surface has corroded and is lost; however, that which survives has a dark brown patina. The remainder of the object has a mottled dark-mid green patina.



Similar examples recorded on the PAS database include: LIN-1CDF13 and DUR-C7E2A6.



The overall dimensions are as follows: 86.42mm in length, 22.68mm in width, 18.55mm in thickness and 45.71g in weight.



Reference



Davis R (2017) Later Prehistoric Finds Group Object Datasheet No.5; A Short Guide to Early and Middle Bronze Age Spearheads
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Scabbard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Slapton, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 85.2 mm
Thickness: 14.4 mm
Weight: 48.02 g
Description: A complete copper alloy scabbard chape dating to the late Bronze Age, 1150 - 800 BC. The chape is sub triangular or ogival in shape, and lozenge shaped in cross section. At the open end the chape curves upwards into two convex arms, creating a crescent shape. The outside edges curve down gradually to half way down the chape, before narrowing at a more steep angle. The chape terminates with a rounded knop, at the end of which is a circular hole and rivet to attach the knop. Running down the centre of the chape on both sides is a raised ridge, this slopes gradually down to the edge of the chape, this is raised round the outside edge of the object. On both sides at half-length there is a circular perforation to the right of the raised central ridge. The inside of the chape is hollow. The chape has a light green patina, with patches of brown and bronze showing through. It measures 85.2mm in length, 40.9mm in width, 14.4mm in thickness, and weighs 48.02g.



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 and SOMDOR-9ADF54.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Merton, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.5 mm
Diameter: 7 mm
Weight: 5.7 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy spear tip probably dating from the Bronze Age circa 1700-800BC. Only the tip of the spearhead remains, which is triangular in shape, and lozenge in cross section with a worn midrib. This is the tip of the spearhead only and has a pronounced spine running down its centre, this is flanked by thin blades that taper to a fine point. The rear of the spear is truncated resulting in the loss of the socket and rear section of the blades. The break is worn. An insufficient amount of the spear remains to prove diagnostic, therefore a specific type cannot be attributed.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aston, Cote, Shifford and Chimney, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 142 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight: 325.13 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy palstave axe dating to the Middle Bronze Age (c. BC 1600-1400). The palstave is near-complete with only part of the broken butt missing. The palstave is roughly sub-rectangular in shape and flattens and flares outwards to form a wide rounded blade, giving the object a slender elongated sub-oval shaped cross-section. The butt is H-shaped in section and terminates towards the centre of the axe with shallow rounded stop-ridge and a peltate-shaped recess on both sides at right angles to the septum. The flanges are flat, sub-oval in plan, straight and parallel and extend all the way to the butt, with a central longitudinal casting ridge, one with a flattened globular miscast patch towards the cutting edge. The blade gradually flattens and to form a wide cutting edge that is heavily worn and pitted. One side of the blade is heavily pitted and scratched and has patches of green patina and iron-corrosion across sections of the flange and especially the recessed section of the butt. The opposite side of the axe is less corroded but has a wide diagonal scratch extending from the cutting edge to the adjacent flange.



The palstave axe measures 142mm in length. The blade is 61mm wide and 2mm thick at the cutting edge and the butt 22mm wide and 10mm thick and its end, and 22mm wide and 26mm thick at the stop. The axe weighs 325.13 grams.



This palstave shares characteristics with Group 1 Primary Shield Pattern palstaves from the Acton Park 1 of Bronze Age metalwork (as of Schmidt & Burgess 1981).



Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern Ireland, Praähistorische Bronzefunde Abteilung IX, 7. Band 7.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Creslow, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 133.61 mm
Thickness: 6.5 mm
Weight: 64.7 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy Blade, Dagger or Rapier, of Mid to Late Bronze Age date (1600-800 BC). The object is rectangular in plan and a pointed oval in cross section. It is incomplete on all sides but has a visible bevel along the left and right hand edges away from the mid-rib. The upper end has been broken transversely resulting in the loss of the butt end. The lower end tapers to a rounded point. There are some breaks and abrasion to both left and right hand edges.





Length: 133.61mm, Width: 22.93mm, Thickness: 6.50mm, Weight: 64.7g.





The metal is a dark green in colour with a predominantly smooth patina and some areas of light green corrosion.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rowlands Castle, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 74.5 mm
Thickness: 13.2 mm
Weight: 46.69 g
Description: A small copper alloy, perhaps miniature or 'model', Middle Bronze Age palstave axehead of Schmidt and Burgess 'unclassified low-flanged palstave' type with broad blade (group III) and without side loop, belonging to the Taunton phase of metalworking and corresponding to Needham's period 5, 1500-1150 BC. The flanges are a little worn (old damage) but the object is otherwise complete.

From the central stop ridge (13.5mm wide, 13.3mm thick) the blade has gently expanding straight sides, curving into a broad but flattish cutting edge 19.8mm wide (with possible old damage to one corner). Directly below the stop ridge on one face is a small hole 1.7mm deep, probably a bubble from the casting process. Below and running to the cutting edge are faint traces of a worn and wideish mid-rib. There are possible traces of this to the other face but it is not certain.

Above the stop ridge the butt end widens a little and narrows to 14.9mm x 1.9mm at the end, which is worn. The stop ridge projects 3.7mm above the butt end on either side.

The object measures 74.5mm in length, 19.9mm in max.width, 13.2mm in max.thickness and weighs 46.96g. The metal is dark grey in colour with some green patches, and is pitted on both faces. No casting flashes are visible to the sides of the object.

It is uncertain whether this object is a miniature axe intended for use (it seems rather small for axe-purpose but could have functioned as a wood-working too perhaps) or perhaps had use as a votive object; it is larger though in its 'model' form similar to miniature socketed axes (for eg. HAMP-657353) thought to have an amulet or votive function and believed to date between the Bronze Age to the Roman period (Robinson, P; 1995).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Titchmarsh, East Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.42 mm
Thickness: 5.88 mm
Weight: 5.8 g
Description: A complete Late Bronze Age copper alloy awl, or tracer/awl. The object has a sub-rectangular shaft tapering at either and with an expanded central shaft. One end tapers to a narrowed and flattened rectangular sectioned terminal. The other end retains a sub-rectangular section and tapers in towards a rounded terminal.



Awls are usually simple, pointed ended tools in use from the beginning to the end of the Bronze Age (and possibly beyond).



The metal is green in colour with a pitted patina. Length: 52.42mm, Width: 5.98mm, Thickness: 5.88mm, Weight: 5.8g.
Notes: 
The form of the awl does not change much through time and similar objects are also noted in the Roman period and possibly later.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder