dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -1275)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wargrave, Wokingham, Wokingham (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 118 mm
Weight: 220 g
Description: Unlooped palstave with slight indentation below the stop which may indicate the corroded remains of shield decoration. Surface extremely pitted. Only remaining evidence of any patina is in the hafting slot which is extremely short.
Notes: Information copied to Alan West , British Museum for Bronze Age index (permission of owner obtained)
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Found: Orpington, Bromley, Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 64 mm
Description: Late bronze Age complete socketed axe head. Cast in copper alloy. The axe is sub-rectangular in plan, with a single loop cast on sine side. The sides are slightly convex, and expand out at the blade end. The blade is crescentric. Both faces are plain, and have a very slight transverse bevel line indicating the change from the body the blade. There is a slight collar around the socketed end, which appears to be rectangular in cross section. The axe has a sub-triangular profile. Casting lines are visible along both sides of the axe. The surface of the axe is slightly corroded. It is 64mm long and 30mm wide.
Notes: Poor quality photographs of both surfaces of this axe, and a profile view can be found on the original paper record held at Kent County Council. Due to the quality of these images they have not been attached to this database entry. 
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Unknown
Length: 37 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Description: Bronze arrowhead - no other description offered, but we know it had flanges of about 3mm.
Notes: Reference to Wales cat p57 (need to ID this publication).
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 100 mm
Description: Flat axehead which gently tapers outwards towards its cutting edge. Very smooth with little sign of corrosion or damage.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Description: Possibly a Bronze Age looped and socketed axehead fragment. Rounded at socketed end with marked dip leading to a ridge. Three pronounced ridges at right angles to the rounded socketed end.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ongar, Epping Forest, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56 mm
Description: A Bronze Age sword shoulder fragment, triangular in shape with squared broken tang, 2 rivet holes on each side of shoulder (2 intact, one worn through to outer edge, the other broken); raised central section.
Notes: 
This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Found: Ruabon, Wrexham, Wrexham (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40 mm
Description: Blade fragment of a late Bronze Age small socketed axe. The cutting edge is damaged and the blade is flaring. Slightly pitted surface, retains some original patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 73.7 mm
Description: Small three-ribbed socketed  axehead with side-loop. Part of mouth missing. Some original patina surviving.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Morecambe, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50 mm
Diameter: 35 mm
Description: Possibly miscast socket portion of possible axehead or spearhead.
Notes: Recorded at Lancaster City Museum 23.8.1999
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40 mm
Description: Fragment of possible bronze casting waste
Notes: Recorded at Lancaster City Museum 23.8.1999
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Description: The tip of a probably middle to late Bronze Age spearhead dating to c.1500-800 BC.



The object is sub-triangular in shape, tapering to a point and has a pronounced midrib. It has a dark green patina and a pitted surface.
Notes: 
This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penllyn, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 207 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 151 g
Description: Copper alloy spearhead, tanged, of Type 1B Curved Midrib (following Davis 2012, 33f.) and dating to the Arreton phase of the Early Bronze Age (c.1700-1500 cal. BC) (Needham et al. 1997).



The spearhead survives in two pieces, broken across the blade-tang junction. It has a long triangular blade bevelled at the edge, with a rounded midrib and (blade wings with) two distinct steps parallel to the edge of the blade. The central mid-rib is filled, on both sides, with rows of pointille (punched dot) decoration. The tip of the blade is missing and the blade edges are damaged. The junction of the tang and blade is demarcated by an undecorated triangular-shaped facet. The rectangular-sectioned unrivetted tang tapers towards an irregular end which curves slightly upwards. The tang is broken close to the junction with the blade; this is an ancient break. The surface of the spearhead is in poor condition and is partly obscured by corrosion deposits. Length 207mm, maximum width 40mm, thickness 10mm, weight 151grams.
Notes: An example of the tanged type of spearhead associated with the Arreton tradition which dates to the latest phases of the Early Bronze Age c.1700-1500 Cal BC (Ehrenberg 1977, 4; Needham 1996, 132-133). It is one of sixteen Type 1B tanged spearheads noted by Davis (2012, 33f.) and is published in his Prahistorische Bronzefunde (Davis 2012, 33, No.29, Plate 3). Two other examples are known from Wales presently (Davis 2012, Nos. 36 and 39). The distribution of tanged spearheads as a whole is concentrated in the south-east of England but examples occur throughout most of Britain and Ireland (Davis 2012, 38; Needham 1979, 7, fig.1.4). It is not possible to make out whether there are scored outlines across the blade-tang junction comparable with those noted on some other tanged spearheads (Needham 1979, 5).
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Found: Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Thickness: 13.5 mm
Weight: 66.2 g
Description: Fragment of a cast late Bronze Age probably bronze socketed axe with a splayed and curved blade. The fragment was apparently broken and distorted in antiquity. Microscopic examination suggests the fragment is encrusted with ferrous and manganese oxide corrosion products presumably derived from the burial environment. Original blade width c.51mm, surviving height of fragment 40.5mm, maximum surviving thickness 13.5mm, weight 66.2 grams.
 

 
 Unfortunately, the fragment is not large enough to determine the specific type of the socketed axe. Socketed axes are a Late Bronze Age type and their use dates from approximately 1250BC to 750BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leckhampstead, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 7.9 g
Description: Cast copper alloy leaf-shaped two-edged blade (length 63mm, width 19mm, thickness 2mm, weight 7.9 grams).The edges are slightly bevelled and the blade has a very slight but relatively wide midrib. One end of the blade apparently tapers into a tang which is now largely missing. The blade is in poor condition, its tip is bent and its edges are badly damaged and notched. This damage makes it difficult to evaluate whether the apparent tang is a genuine feature or simply a fortuitous break. The blade may possibly be an example of a rare type of Early to Middle Bronze Age knife known as a Class I or 'plantain razor' (Piggott 1946, 122-126, fig.5). The term 'razor' is a slight misnomer as these artefacts were almost certainly not used specifically for shaving but were rather some form of cutting tool. Unfortunately, the tang is the most diagnostic part of this artefact type and without it a positive identification is difficult.
Notes: This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mumbles, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 116 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 19.4 g
Description: Tip of a slender rapier, which has been reworked and used as a short dirk. There are no ridges or ribs visible on the blade, which has a slightly flattened but rounded cross section. This suggests that the artefact was once a Group IV rapier (Burgess & Gerloff 1981, 62). It is not possible to assign this reworked artefact to individual type within the overall group since diagnostic features high up the blade and on the original butt have been lost. The top of the blade fragment has been reworked by flattening the blade, though without splaying it. A new butt was created by inserting two side notches, one on each side of the blade, and 7mm from the top of the blade. These are between 4-5mm long, and concave in outline. The artefact has a black surface patina, and is slightly pitted. One modern scratch has revealed the bronze metal beneath the surface patina. Belongs to the Taunton or Penard phases of the Middle Bronze Age (1400-1100 cal BC). Dimensions: length 116mm, maximum blade width 17mm, thickness 2.5mm, butt width 13mm, weight 19.4g.
Notes: Group IV rapiers were generally used and deposited during the Taunton and Penard phases of the British Middle Bronze Age (Burgess & Gerloff 1981, 106-9). In recent times, these phases have been radiocarbon dated to between 1400 - 1100 BC cal (Needham 1996; Needham et al 1997). Examples of Welsh Middle Bronze Age dirks and rapiers within the National Collection come from Llanfair Clydogau, Cardiganshire (Savory 1980, Cat 243), Llansannor, Vale of Glamorgan (Savory 1980, Cat 245) and Mynydd Hyddgen, Powys (Savory 1980, Cat 246). Recently a reworked rapier tip from West Cross Beach, Swansea Bay has been added to the collections (unpublished).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Castle, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 71.5 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Description: Tip of a Middle Bronze Age rapier or dirk with a flattish mid-section and wide slightly bevelled edges. The surface of the fragment is corroded and its edges are damaged. The break is ancient. Surviving length 71.5mm, maximum surviving width 17mm, maximum surviving thickness 2.5mm. The fragment is an example of Burgess and Gerloff's Group IV (1981, 3, 62-112). It is not possible to identify which particular type of Group IV blade this fragment is an example of because the diagnostic features high up on the blade and butt have been lost.
Notes: An example of a group IV blade - that is one with a flattish mid-section and wide bevelled edges cf. Burgess and Gerloff 1981,2. This group mainly consistent with the Penard Phase (Burgess and Gerloff 1981,3). Group IV blades were generally used, and deposited, during the Taunton and Penard phases of the Middle Bronze Age (Burgess and Gerloff 1981, 106-109) which date from between 1400 and 1150 cal. BC (Needham 1996, 133-134, fig.1; Needham et al. 1997, 84-90). Other Middle Bronze Age finds recorded from Swansea Bay include: a Group IV rapier tip with reworked butt [NMGWPA:99.81.1]; a probable Group III dirk reused from a longer blade [Acc.No.98.15H]; a Group II dirk with a mid-rib [Acc.No.98.15H]; and a leaf-bladed sword related to the Ballintober series (Green 1985, 283-285, pl.1).
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pyle, Bridgend, Bridgend (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 10.8 g
Description: Fragment of a cast copper alloy (probably bronze) socketed axe with a curved blade. The fragment was apparently broken and distorted in antiquity. The distorted form of one side of the fragment suggests that the blade may have originally been splayed in form. Original blade width c.31mm, surviving height of fragment 21mm, maximum surviving thickness 8mm, weight 10.8 grams.
Notes: An example of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe. Unfortunately, the fragment is not large enough to determine the specific type of the socketed axe. Socketed axes are a Late Bronze Age type and their use dates from approximately 1250BC to 750BC.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penllyn, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 137 mm
Thickness: 38.3 mm
Weight: 444.4 g
Description: Early mid-rib palstave - unlooped with a slight single median rib along each face. The rib is not defined by hollows near the stop, as on some early palstaves. The blade is relatively narrow but has a deeply curved edge. The flanges are leaf-shaped and do not extend along the blade. The stop ridge is undeveloped and is only marginally higher than the surface of the blade. The stop is concave with a shallow 'V' shaped profile. Casting problems have led to damage around the butt resulting in a 'V' shaped intrusion, which should not have effected the usefulness of the axe. The casting seams have been removed but remnants are still visible along both sides. The palstave is complete and in very good condition with a consistent light brown patina. The blade has retained its sharp edge and was probably never extensively used. This form of early palstave dates to the Middle Bronze Age c.1500-1200 BC lying in Needham's metalwork stage 5 (Needham 1997). Butler (1963) has suggested that early mid-ribbed and shield pattern palstaves originate from the initial Acton Park phase of Middle Bronze Age metalworking (Northover, forthcoming p130). The blade shape, low stop ridge and side profile (showing a distinction between flange and blade) may suggest a date towards the end of this form and prior to the introduction of the looped palstave. Length 137mm, blade width 67.9mm (at edge), 29mm (below stop), butt width 22.5mm, maximum thickness 38.3mm, stop height 9.1mm, weight 444.4 grams.
Notes: A similar palstave (92.252H) but with a shield pattern and of a more slender form has been found at Penllyn. Also recovered from Penllyn was an unlooped palstave with a poorly defined midrib, but is again more slender than this example and with a less splayed blade. The closest parallel is an example from Llanfylin, Gwent (Green, 1985) although this axe is longer and more slender. Green (ibid.) argues the Llanfylin axe is best compared with the Chepstow type of Schmidt and Burgess (1981) and is paralleled with the nearby Coed Llan hoard of Early Palstaves (Williams, 1877). It could be argued Schmidt and Burgess's 'Type Coed Llan' (1981) matches both axes equally as well due to the absence of flange extensions.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Marshfield, Newport, Newport (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31.5 mm
Thickness: 8.5 mm
Weight: 38.1 g
Description: Sub-circular copper alloy casting, possibly of a Bronze age flat axe or palstave. The original surface of the casting is lost to corrosion; however, the fragment has a curved edge which may have formed the blade of an axe or a thin palstave. Width of 'blade' 43mm, surviving length 31.5mm, surviving maximum thickness 8.5mm, weight 38.1 grams.
Notes: This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1275)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: St. Nicholas and Bonvilston, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 76 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Description: Cast copper alloy side-looped spearhead with a leaf-shaped blade and lozenge-shaped midrib. The mouth of the socket, the edges and end of the blade and much of the original surface of the spearhead are missing. The side loops on the socket are also missing; however, their original position, approximately midway along the incomplete socket, is indicated by the surviving stubs of the loops (set c.8-9mm apart). The socket continues for a short way into the blade. There is no evidence to suggest that the spearhead was originally decorated. Surviving length 76mm, surviving length of blade 41mm, maximum surviving external diameter of socket 13.5mm, maximum surviving width of blade 13mm, maximum thickness of midrib 8mm. This is an example of Ehrenberg's Class IV spearhead (cf. Ehrenberg 1977, 7-9) and Davis' Class 6 Unclassified (Davis 2012, 106, No.648, Pl.37).
Notes: A small example of a Class IV side-looped/Class 6 Unclassified Developed Side-looped Bronze Age spearhead. It is interesting to note that the spearhead blade lodged in the vertebra of one of the two inhumed individuals excavated at Tormarton, Gloucestershire was also a small example of a side-looped spearhead. In her study of the spearheads from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, Ehrenberg noted that examples of the type from her study area ranged in length from 90mm to 210mm (1997,7); when complete the St Nicholas spearhead's length probably fell within the lower part of that range. Side-looped spearheads are a Middle Bronze Age type whose main vogue can be dated to the Acton Park and Taunton metalwork phases (c.1500 BC to c.1250 BC) although later examples are known (Davis 2012, 108-110; Needham et al. 1997, 84-86).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2300 to -1900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llantwit Fardre, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 131.5 mm
Thickness: 11.5 mm
Weight: 346.1 g
Description: Flat axe - probably Class 3.



Cast copper alloy (bronze) flat axe which thickens towards the middle, with a thin, narrow and slightly rounded butt and a splayed blade. The edges of both the butt and the blade are damaged and the surface of the axe has several spots of corrosion. The sides of the blade more or less evenly curve outwards towards the cutting edge from a point situated about one third along the length of the axe from the butt. The lower halves of both faces of the axe are decorated with a series of incised, longitudinally arranged, irregular, short strokes which form a distinctive 'rain pattern'. Longitudinal striations on both faces of the axe adjacent to the blade edge are probably use-related polish.



Length 131.5mm, width of blade 78mm, width of butt 30.5mm, maximum thickness 11.5mm, weight 346.1 grams.



An example of the Midgale type of Early Bronze Age flat axe, falling within Needham's (1983) Class 3.
Notes: The Migdale type has been defined by Schmidt and Burgess as simple, thin-butt, bronze flat axes with more or less evenly curved sides and relatively wide cutting edges, which do not turn out abruptly from the sides (1981, 35). Migdale axes lack features such as median bevels, raised edges and the narrow straight-sided form frequently associated with decoration (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 35). Attempts to subdivide the type on the basis of variation in form have been unsuccessful; graphs plotting indices of shape such as length, width and the ratios of the body width at various points along the length of the axe do not show discrete concentrations (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 35). The Gwaelod-y-Garth example is a relatively narrow example of the type. Although most Migdale axes are plain the lower halves of both faces of this example are decorated with a series of incised irregular short dashes which form a 'rain pattern' cf. Harbison 1969, 67, fig.3.D3. Similar decoration is present on Migdale axes from Ystradowen, Glamorgan (Savory 1954-56; Savory 1980, 43,100, no.111, fig.17), Oxwich Bay, Gower (Gwilt and Macdonald 2000) and reportedly Montgomeryshire (Savory 1964-66, 192; Savory 1980, 43, 100, no.108, fig.17). As a type Migdale axes are difficult to date with precision. The typological metalworking stage or assemblage which includes Migdale axes has recently been dated from c.2300BC to c.1900BC (Needham 1996, 130, fig.2). Unfortunately, there is little independent evidence for the dating of decorated examples of the Migdale type, although there is some evidence to suggest that they may date to a late phase of the type's vogue (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 58).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1650 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Welsh St. Donats, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 120 mm
Weight: 200.2 g
Description: This is a small unlooped palstave of slender form without any form of decoration or ribbing on the upper blade surfaces. Well-defined ledge stops, characteristic of palstaves, are present at mid point along the length of the artefact. Pronounced and asymmetric cast flanges rise at the point of the stops and continue to the butt end. Near to the stop, two notches in the flange profile suggest differential wearing in antiquity, possibly caused by a haft binding. On one side of the axe, one flange is markedly higher than the other, making the palstave sit on an angle when placed upside down on a flat surface. The blade edge has been neatly removed in antiquity, by three blows. These have removed the central and lateral parts of the blade surface, giving a triple 'clipped' shape, and removing the blade at the point where it would have splayed outwards. The artefact has a brown patina and a slightly pitted surface. A number of scrapes and gouges on the blade end of the artefact were probably caused by relatively recent plough damage within the ploughsoil. Dimensions: surviving length 120.0mm, surviving blade width 36.5mm, maximum flange width 22.0mm, weight 200.2 grams. This is an early unlooped palstave belonging to the Acton Park 1 phase (Period 4) belonging to the end of the Early Bronze Age. It may be dated, on current available evidence to between 1650-1500BC (Needham 1996). The palstave is a very early type, representing an intermediate stage between earlier haft-flanged axes and subsequent palstaves proper (the flanges typical of the former and the stops typical of the latter). Northover (unpublished manuscript) has grouped these as of 'intermediate type' with parallels known from Ludlow (Shropshire), Abertillery (Blaenau-Gwent) and Whitchurch (Cardiff). The latter two examples are in the National Collection (Savory 1980, Cat. Nos. 129 & 130, Fig.19), the closest being the example from Whitchurch. The breaking of the blade surface in antiquity, suggests a deliberate rendering of the tool useless, probably as a 'killing' ritual, immediately prior to its deposition.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Unknown
Length: 230 mm
Weight: 64 g
Description: Narrow dirk, c.230mm long and 10mm max width. Smooth and shiny browny-green patina with several large pitted holes in the surface. Point intact and sharp. The break is rough and therefore probably quite recent and pointed oval in section. It is unclear how long the dirk would have been as the narrowing towards the break could be just wear, though the narrowness suggests this was probably not a lot longer and therefore a dirk rather than a rapier.
Notes: This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1001)
Material: Gold 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19 mm
Thickness: 0.6 mm
Weight: 1.09 g
Description: One end of a gold penannular 'tress-ring'. 10 mm wide and 0.6 mm thick, the surviving length is 19 mm long and weight is 1.09g. The exterior face has a raised rounded border on its three original sides, surrounding nine longitudinal ribs separated by ten rounded concave grooves to give an evenly corrugated effect. Some of the grooves have longitudinal scratches which may be from the mould or from later finishing. The interior face is flat apart from a slight ridge at the original short edge, which may be a result of gentle hammering or, more probably, a reflection of the original mould former. The break appears to be fresh.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bishopstone, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 99.03 mm
Description: Copper alloy side looped spearhead. Fragmentary. Circular sectioned socket. Two side loops (one broken). The shaft of the socket is broken. The blade is also damaged but was probably leaf-shaped originally.
Notes: PAL 1442
Object: Harness Fitting (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Swindon, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.16 mm
Thickness: 4.98 mm
Description: The strap crossing is an incomplete '+' shape. The upper surface has a central dome with two steps. Each 'arm' has four low-relief lines, however all arms are incomplete. Only the upper portion of the strap crossing remains. The reverse is rough and not meant to be seen. The item has a grey patina.
Notes: This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.
Object: Harness Fitting (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Swindon, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.33 mm
Thickness: 11.93 mm
Description: The strap crossing is a '+' shape. The upper surface has a central dome with two steps. Each 'arm' has four low-relief lines. The arms are slightly damaged. The item is three-dimensional, however the reverse has a '+' shaped hole and each 'arm' is hollow. The void created is where the straps pass. The hole on the reverse is incomplete. The item has a green/grey patina.
Notes: This record was created before the Portable Antiquities Scheme began using the Central Database. We are aware that this record may fall below our usual standards of recording, and we are working to rectify this.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Fragment of a late Bronze Age probable socketed axe. Only the blade remains of the axe. The break is quite straight, and a tip of the socket is visible. The axe has a medium-dark coloured patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aylesford, Tonbridge and Malling, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 13.19 g
Description: Short length of narrow double-edged copper alloy blade with lozenge-shaped cross-section.  The fragment is very worn, and part of the blade along one edge is damaged, being folded back on itself.  The edges of the blade appear to be parallel, and the narrowness of the piece would suggest it was part of a rapier balde. 
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Langstone, Newport, Newport (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26.4 mm
Thickness: 10.7 mm
Weight: 18 g
Description: 
Blade end fragment from a slender Late bronze Age socketed axe. The axe has broken near the bottom of the socket, with one face surviving higher than the other. The blade edge has been lost but was slightly expanded. The remnants of casting flashes are visible along the sides and have been neatly finished. There is a suggestion of sharpening striations running along the blade edge. The more complete face possibly displays the bottom of a rib on its higher side.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1275)
Material: Copper alloy Wood
Found: Onllwyn, Neath Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 123.9 mm
Diameter: 16 mm
Weight: 46.1 g
Description: Copper alloy side-looped spearhead - Class 6E (leaf-shaped, developed side-loop)



Incomplete socketed spearhead with a plain leaf-shaped blade. The two loops no longer survive but sprung from either side of the socket, probably fairly near its base. One of the faces is missing as far as the end of the socket, probably as a result of corrosion but possibly the result of casting problems. The socket would have enclosed the shaft around the loops, but the metal is now torn and distorted at this point. The base of the socket is missing. When found the socket contained remnants of the spear shaft.



This is Davis' (2012, No.559, Pl.33) Type 6E and can be broadly dated to the Acton Park and Taunton metalworking phases (Davis 2012, 108-110; Needham et al. 1997).
Notes: The wood (weight - 1.7g) was removed with the permission of the finder and has been kept at NMGW for future analysis. The spear and shaft have been dipped in wood vanish by the finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1275)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 78.5 mm
Diameter: 13 mm
Weight: 17.5 g
Description: Middle Bronze Age copper alloy side-looped spearhead, Group 6 (Unclassified).



Incomplete eroded socketed spearhead, the blade does not survive but the remnants suggest the blade was leaf-shaped. The two loops have been lost, but their remnants are visible near the base of the spearhead either side of the socket. The spearhead has eroded to such an extent that little else apart the socket survives forming a cylindrical tapering point. The bottom of the socket has broken and is missing.
Notes: This is recorded in Davis' (2012, No.645) corpus as a Group 6 (Developed side-looped: Unclassified) spearhead. Ove r483 Group 6 spearheads are now known from Britain and these can be broadly dated to the Acton Park and Taunton metalworking phases (c.1600-1275 BC) (Davis 2012, 66f.)
Subsequent action: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 118 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight: 337.3 g
Description: 
Heavily eroded unlooped palstave with a decorative mid rib on each face, there is the suggestion of an additional shield-pattern, although there is not enough of the original surface surviving to be certain. One face appears to exhibit a shield-shaped depression on the blade below the stop-ridge. It is now difficult to determine the original width of the blade edge, height of the stop ridge and flanges or length of the butt. However, it is unlikely the flanges rose much above the height of the stop, suggesting it was a low-flanged form, and the surviving blade seems to have been broad. Casting flashes are discernible on one of the sides.

Notes: The suggestion of low flanges, as well as the combination of a sunken shield pattern with a raised midrib, means this is probably a Gr.III, Type Wantage palstave (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 133-5). This type of palstave held its currency in the Taunton phase (c.1400-1275 BC), though may have also extended into the Penard phase (up to c.1100 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hollingbourne, Maidstone, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 17.27 g
Description: Section of a copper alloy spearhead blade, with part of the central, hollow, midrib or socket extant.  The blade would have been double-edged and with a lozengiform cross-section, but only one half of the blade survives.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Curdworth, North Warwickshire, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 69.9 mm
Thickness: 5.6 mm
Description: Only a fragment of the possible rapier remains. This is a portion of the hilt and blade. 
 
 The blade tapers quickly to become quite narrow. The terminal of the blade is broken, and does not appear to have broken recently. In section the blade, at its broken edge, is a lozenge shape. 
 
 Towards the hilt the possible rapier becomes wider in plan and slightly more thick than the blade. The hilt has abraded edges and the remains of an incomplete hole on each side edge. 
 
 The surface of is mainly covered with a thick brown coloured patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Burland, Cheshire East, Cheshire East (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 165 mm
Description: Shield pattern, median rib.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fordingbridge, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Description: Fragment, cast copper-alloy thin-butted flat axe. Migdale-Marnoch tradition. Surfaces uneven and pitted.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Stacey, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 49 mm
Thickness: 3.5 mm
Weight: 10.94 g
Description: Fragment, cast copper-alloy spear-head/rapier blade tip. Narrow, slightly convex sides, edges damaged. Slight median ridge on both sides. The tip is slightly rounded. Smooth, pale green patina.
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -1850)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Meon, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 133 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Description: Cast copper-alloy flat axe. Slight moulded transverse  ridge half-way along the blade. The sides splay out from narrow, rounded end which is very thin, to slightly convex blade. Little sign of wear on the blade. Coated with varnish .L: 133 W: 71 T: 0.5-  8
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1450)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Overton, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 166 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight: 398 g
Description: 
Cast copper-alloy unlooped palstave. Median ridge extends more than half way down the blade. Surfaces heavily pitted and much of patina missing on one side.
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 95 mm
Description: Incomplete, copper-alloy socketed chisel. Flanged blade. Slender, hollow body which expands out slightly to missing end. Two prominent D-sectioned opposing internal ridges. Most of the dark green patina is missing and there is evidence for bronze disease. Socket diameter is 18mm and width of the socket is 22.5mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Broad Chalke, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.5 mm
Description: Fragment, cast copper-alloy spearhead socket. Cylindrical, with straight sides which expand out. Circular perforation (not complete) in one side. The outer surface has faintly incised decoration consisting of three zones which have an irregular horizontal line with closely-spaced triangles which are infilled with faint diagonal lines, followed by a further horizontal line below. Smooth, dark green patina. The decoration is reminiscent of Ornament-horizon pieces, such as decorated arm-rings with geometric design. The tapering diameter may suggest a socketed spearhead. L: 36.5 D: 15-20 Internal D: 11-16 T: 1.5-2.5
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nether Wallop, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47 mm
Weight: 2.92 g
Description: Copper-alloy awl. Square-sectioned, flattened at either end. One end is much narrower than the other. W:2.5-4mm
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fordingbridge, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63 mm
Description: Incomplete, cast copper-alloy socketed spearhead. Leaf-shaped with tip and part of socket broken off. Broad median ridge on both sides. Socket diameter: 7.5mm
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Found: Froxfield, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 124.5 mm
Description: Cast bronze socketed axe; South-East type. Double mouth moulding. One one face there are three oblique ribs extending from the lower mouth moulding, but there is no trace of any on the other side which is badly affected by corrosion. One corner of the blade is missing and the patina is chipped on the blade edge. Dull black patina over much of the surfaces with patches of bright green corrosion. Socket dims.: 28 x 31.5mm
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1550 to -1450)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Exton, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 153 mm
Description: Cast copper-alloy unlooped palstave with side flanges.Mostly complete with slight damage to the flange edges and small patches of  invasive corrosion. There is a median ridge on both sides of the blade extending from the transverse ridge at the beginning of the flanges to beyond half the blade length. Damage to the blade edge. Areas of black patination on all surfaces.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -1550)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Littleport, East Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Weight: 130.39 g
Description: Incomplete EBA flat axe, quite small (cutting edge width c.60mm), with almost imperceptibly raised sides (wear?).  Section is a slightly lenticular, truncated.  Cutting edge worn and chipped.  Patina orangey brown with several gashes on both surfaces.  Weighs 130.39g.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rushton, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Fragment of tip of bronze age spear head. Visible midrib.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1450 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Beeston, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 148 mm
Description: Looped palstave in corroded condition.
Notes: Recorded by Dan Robinson, Grosvenor Museum, Chester, 12.10.2002
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Malpas, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84 mm
Description: Small bronze flat axe head, slight flanges on flanks, heavily corroded.
Notes: Recorded by Dan Robinson at the Grosvenor Museum, 21.10.2001
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ferrule (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brougham, Eden, Cumbria (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 85 mm
Diameter: 16 mm
Description: Bronze spear ferrule found with preserved wood in the socket.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yealand Redmayne, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 148 mm
Description: This record has been updated and reinterpreted 4/5/21 by Peter Reavill with the support of Dr Brendan O'Connor. The original record was made 18 years ago on the original PAS database.





A cast copper alloy short-flanged axehead of Middle Bronze Age date (1600-1250 BC). Unfortunately there is only one view of the axe making the form difficult to be identify specifically to a type or sub-type. The blade is worn and crescentic in shape and the upper blade has a shield pattern directly below the relatively prominent stopridge. This stop ridge is not fused to the side flanges which project slightly beyond the stop and are curled. The butt is squared off with a broken edge. Although the type is difficult to suggest given the presence of a shield pattern it is most likely to be from among the earlier types of flanged axehead, perhaps Cragg Wood dated to the period 1600-1400 BC (Schmidt & Burgess 1981, nos. 462-82) - being attributed to either Acton Park I or Acton Park II metal working assemblages.







Original record:



Unlooped, shield pattern palstave with high flanges and stop ridge



Width of blade 65mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Borwick, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 115 mm
Description: Shield pattern palstave with stop ridge. Wings denuded by corrosion.
Notes: Width of blade 45mm
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: North Rode, Cheshire East, Cheshire East (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36 mm
Description: Section of blade of sword. Bi-convex in section, smooth profile, pitted surface, no original; surface patina remains.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: North Rode, Cheshire East, Cheshire East (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27 mm
Description: Tip of spear head
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2000 to 1800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Elmsted, Shepway, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Description: A fragment of copper alloy plate, roughly triangular with irregular broken edges.  A lip projects at right angles along the longest edge.  Parts of the surface show signs of having been molten, and the object has a bright green patina which suggests considerable antiquity.
Notes: Possibly evidence of Bronze Age metal working?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Found: Prees, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 88 mm
Description: An incomplete late Bronze Age socketed axe. It is slim with a flaring blade. The haft end is mostly missing but fragments remain of the trumpet mouth. Both faces are decorated with three ribs. Prominent casting seams down both sides. The blade is 43mm wide.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Thanet, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Description: Copper alloy tip/fragment of a rapier blade, narrowing gradually to tip.
Notes: No other artefacts of this date have been found by the finder on this site.
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nantwich, Cheshire East, Cheshire East (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57 mm
Description: Small fat axe head, butt end missing.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nantwich, Cheshire East, Cheshire East (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20 mm
Description: Tip of socketed spear head, midrib visible on one side. In corroded condition.
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Found: Rushton, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22 mm
Description: Lower blade fragment of late Bronze Age socketed axehead.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1800 to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Clotton Hoofield, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 81 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Description: Incomplete flat axe head.  Blade flares at end, no visible side flanges. Very corroded and pitted on one surface, retains 70% surface patina on other.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Found: Offham, Tonbridge and Malling, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axehead (incomplete and very corroded). Single loop. One side of the blade is much thinner than the other. Very clear mould marks.
Notes: Small fragment of wood found within axe (not analysed).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2500 to 1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lenham, Maidstone, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26.53 mm
Thickness: 5.86 mm
Description: Crescent shaped copper alloy object, possibly an earring.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Weapon (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Medway, Medway (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Description: Short length of copper alloy double-edged blade, with lozenge-shaped cross section.  Possibly part of a rapier blade.  The break at one end is very worn and may have happened in antiquity.  The break at the other end is more recent.
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Borden, Swale, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 105 mm
Description: Complete copper alloy tanged chisel.