dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hameringham, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 128.57 mm
Diameter: 17.19 mm
Thickness: 1.94 mm
Weight: 53.2 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy spearhead of Middle-Late Bronze Age date, c. 1500-800 BC.



The spearhead is largely, though not entirely complete. The entire head has been cast integral, with a conical socket retaining lozenge-shaped sideloops near the base of the socket. A short length of the lower edge of the socket has suffered from damage, which is only mildly abraded. Worn flashmarks are also visible running up the socket from the socket base to the base of the blade, longitudinally in line with the sideloops.



The blade is 'leaf-shaped', with angular shoulders, uneven edges, and an extremely worn but pointed tip. The socket extends into the base of the blade, but a low rib running the length of the socket become more prominent as it extends down the length of the blade. The blade appears to have been considerably worn through use (and resharpening?) during its life prior to deposition, as evidenced by the prominence of the rib at the current blade tip. The lower blade, near each shoulder probably retains the original edge of the balde, and the edge of the blade as it continues from each shoulder to the tip can be seen to have been modified, particularly as the angle of the blade increases near the tip.



The surface has thick green patches of patina on some sections of the socket and the blade. The rest of the blade has a grey-brown surface where this green patina has already been lost. There are also traces of iron corrosion, which appear to have set into channels formed by corrosion of the copper-alloy, notably on one face of the blade to either side of the rib.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy Wood
Found: Theale, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 106.88 mm
Diameter: 23.16 mm
Weight: 76 g
Description: A Late Bronze Age pegged spearhead of Ehrenburg 1977 Class V, which has a simple leaf-shaped or ogival blade. The spear is dated from the Penard Phase - Ewart Park so c1200-750BC (Needham period 6-7). Ehremburg notes that there is a sub-classification that she calls 'short stumpy' types (p15) which have a length of less than 100mm with the width of the blade being approximately 1/3 the length. This example fits this although it could be slightly longer - she suggests that these are from the Ewart Park (1000-750 BC Needham Period 7) assemblage. This example is similar to her #36 Cookham Berks and # 94 Pusey Berks, #74 Maidenhead, Berks and #142 Old Windsor, Berks, all fig 22.



The spearhead is in fine condition with blades still sharp and it has an oval socket which still contains remains of the wooden shaft. It may have formed a deliberate deposit in a river valley.
Notes: The spear was found about 2000.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sedgeford, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58 mm
Weight: 27.63 g
Description: Incomplete Late Bronze Age copper alloy tanged chisel, with an uncertain length of the rectangular-sectioned tang missing (ancient break). At the junction of the tang and blade a pair of lateral projections act as a stop ridge. The blade flares out to a crescentic cutting edge. Cf. an example from Cambridgeshire (BH-E72CE3). Length 58mm. Width of blade 33.5mm. Weight 27.63g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Grimston, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 64 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight: 96.04 g
Description: Small Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe, more than one third of the mouth missing (recent break). The side is blocked with iron, probably a natural deposit. The cuttng edge is scuffed. Length 64mm. Width 36.8mm. Thickness 29mm. Weight 96.04. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -2000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fowey, Cornwall, Cornwall (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 90 mm
Thickness: 5.7 mm
Weight: 63 g
Description: Cast copper alloy miniature flat axehead, sub-triangular in plan, and slightly lozenge-shaped in profile, with an undeveloped, straight-sided blade (not flanged), tapering to a narrow rounded butt end, which is 13 mm wide. The sides of the blade do not expand but meet the curved blade edge with an abraded width of 35 mm. The length of the flat axe is only 90 mm so it is about half the size of a standard Early Bronze Age flat axe from South-west England. There is no evidence of any form of incised or cast decoration present on any surface of the axe, but much of the original surface is missing, due to corrosion and abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil. The surface is now very pitted and there is active light green powdering from bronze disease within some of the pits.



Pearce (1983) illustrates a similar example of a slender miniature Migdale type flat axe on page 502, Plate 69, No.587, from Banner Down in Somerset, and a short but wider example of a broad Migdale type flat axe from Harlyn Bay, Cornwall, on page 418, Plate 12, No.98c, which both are associated with the Migdale metalworking tradition of the Early Bronze Age, c.2200-2000 BC.



Cowie & O'Connor, Some Early Bronze Age stone moulds from Scotland, in Kienlin & Roberts, Metals and Societies (2009) illustrate a similar miniature flat axe with straight sides from Broomhill, Penicuik, Midlothian, on page 325, Fig.10, which is dated from the Early Bronze Age.



There are similar miniature Migdale type flat axes recorded on the database in WMID-58D2F4 and LVPL-DA4598, which is referred to as a 'Biggar' variant of the Migdale type of flat axe, but these have slightly crescentic blades.



These axes all fit within the earliest phases of metal working in Britain, metalworking stage II, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 2 (c.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.



Reference:



Needham, S. (1996) Chronology and Periodisation in the British Bronze Age. Acta Archaeologia, vol 67, pp.121-140



Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C.B. (1981) The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. Prahistorische Bronzefunde. Abteilung IX. Band 7. C.H. Beck'Sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Munchen. pp.46-47.
Notes: Report from X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy analysis by Kathryn Moore at Camborne School of Mines:



Tin 29.95% / Copper 9.12% / Arsenic 1.04% / Iron 0.694% / Titanium 0.103% / Antimony 0.033% / Bismuth 0.026% / Zinc 0.021



Balance (gasses etc) 58.94%



The mix of elements found in the flat axehead, listed above, suggests that the object was made of a copper alloy that is typical of that used during the Bronze Age (Dr Peter Northover pers comm).
Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Luxulyan, Cornwall, Cornwall (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 81 mm
Height: 31 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight: 175.66 g
Description: Incomplete cast copper alloy side-looped palstave, missing its blade, with just the flanged butt end remaining, which was used to haft the axe to its wooden handle. There is less of the left flange remaining than the right flange which retains the raised casting seam that has not been filed away, running longitudinally from the butt end to the broken edge. The left side is more corroded and has been marked with an incision, parallel to the remains of the casting seam, running the length of the side of the flange. The casting seams are also off-centre, which suggests that the two-part mould may have not been perfectly alligned. There is a slight recess, partly caused by damage, below the deep stop ridge which transverses the width of the axe between the high flanged sides. But there is not enough detail to determine any moulded marks in order to be sure of the type of palstave. There are two raised areas on one side of the palstave, however, which represent the remains of the base of the side loop. Much of the original surface of the palstave is also missing, due to corrosion and abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil. The surface that remains is quite pitted and has many recessed circular facets, which suggests that it has been in a suitably wet or corrosive environment to develop such areas of bronze disease. There is active light green powdering from bronze disease in one of the pits, but corrosion is generally stable. The side loops begin to be added to the sides of palstaves during the Taunton phase of metalwork, during the Middle Bronze Age, from about 1400 BC, and continue through the Penard phase, until about 1100 BC.



Pearce (1983) illustrates similar examples of South-western looped palstaves from Somerset on pages 514, 518 & 532, Plates 75, 79 & 89, Nos.654, 685 & 749, which are dated with the early palstave Groups I, II & III of the Middle Bronze Age, c.1500-1300 BC.
Notes: Report from X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy analysis by Kathryn Moore at Camborne School of Mines:



Copper 28.63% / Tin 20.84% / Iron 1.75% / Potassium 0.622% / Arsenic 0.134% / Nickel 0.093% / Antimony 0.067% / Zinc 0.035% / Lead 0.015%



Balance (gasses etc) 47.81%



The mix of elements found in the palstave, listed above, suggests that the object was made of a copper alloy that is typical of that used during the Middle Bronze Age (Dr Peter Northover pers comm).
Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Miniature Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1150 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Claverdon, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.74 mm
Thickness: 12.02 mm
Weight: 14.2 g
Description: A Late Bronze Age to Roman (1150BC - AD410) copper alloy miniature socketed axehead: The axe is rectangular in plan with slightly concave parallel sides. The blade edge and blade tips are rounded, but not flared. The socket mouth has a rectangular internal edge, the exterior forms a asymmetrical rectangle with convex edges, particularly on narrow edge. In profile the axe an elongated triangle. Both profile faces are heavily abraded and no casting seam is visible. One profile face has the remains of a loop. The surface of the axe has an incomplete heavy brown patina, otherwise the surface has a mottled red/green matte patina where the surface is abraded. The axe measures 30.74mm long, 19.78mm wide, 12.02mm thick and weighs 14.2g. The interior of the mouth socket measures 11.86mm long and 7.13mm wide. The socket is 15.18mm deep.



The dating of miniature axeheads is from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman period, although they are more common from the Roman period. Their function is probably as an amulet or votive. This example is more faithful to Late Bronze Age socketed axeheads than miniature axeheads usually are, and the heavy patina supports this. But Kiernan (Kiernan, P. 2009 Miniature Votive Offerings in the Roman North West Verlag p. 145-7) highlights the possible link between the 're-use of prehistoric axes in Roman period sanctuaries, and the dedication of miniature axes.' He lists Roman sanctuary sites which have produced prehistoric axes, some of which include miniautes axes as Richborough, Nettleton, Wycomb, and Silchester (ibid: 146).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2350 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ropley, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 109.1 mm
Thickness: 8.9 mm
Weight: 152 g
Description: A Bronze Age cast copper-alloy flat axe. In plan, the end of the butt is damaged as the corners are clipped; it has a width of c. 20.3mm. Modern damage central to the end of the butt can be identified by the lack of patina. The long side-edges of the axe are slightly flanged (being c.0.5mm thicker at the very edge than just inside it), with the stop ridge on the surface being just off centre to the widest section of the flanged sides, 48.2mm from the butt and 59.0mm from the blade. The stop ridge is 9mm thick, tapering to either end where it measures 2.45mm at the butt and 3.20mm at the blade. In plan, the blade flares outwards to form a crescent shape and is evenly curved but slightly asymmetrical. This axe is abraded and pitted overall, and has small patches of a dark green patina. This patina shows numerous vertical scratches and it is uncertain whether this is the result of the metal working procedure, or post depositional. There is no indication of any decoration.



Although a precise date can not be ascertained, the author believes this Early Bronze Age axe head to be dated between 2350 and 1700 BC. This encompasses two distinctive axe types:



2350 - 2050 BC Migdale type: metalworking stage II, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 2 circa 2350- 2050 CAL. BC. Similar to LVPL-DA4598



2050-1700 BC Aylesford type: metalworking tradition phase IV, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2050 - 1700 CAL. BC. Similar to IOW-242AF7
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stratfield Saye, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.74 mm
Thickness: 4.88 mm
Weight: 3.23 g
Description: 
A small very eroded fragment from a small spear head of mid to late Bronze Age date. Nothing of the blade edges survives, nor of the socket.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Gold 
Found: Bulkington, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28 mm
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: 0.82 g
Description: 
A thin strip of undecorated sheet gold. The long edges are folded over onto the reverse; it is broken at either end.



This object cannot be securely dated to any period but it appears to be ancient, possibly Bronze Age.  

Notes: The object therefore fulfils the Treasure Act (1996) in that it is more than 300 years old and has a precious metal content exceeding 10%.
Subsequent action: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Frisby on the Wreake, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 2.99 g
Description: Bronze Age copper alloy spear fragment, 23mm long, 8mm wide, 4mm thick and weighing 2.99g. The object is in fair condition but with surface pitting and damage, with only part of the central spine and small sections of the blade remaining. The small size suggests a fragment from near the point of the spear. The patinated broken edges suggests breakage in antiquity.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ottery St. Mary, East Devon, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70 mm
Height: 21 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight: 243.15 g
Description: Fragment of a cast copper alloy ingot which would have originally been circular in plan and plano-convex in profile, but this fragment is trapezoidal in plan, triangular in profile, and plano-convex in section, as it comes from one edge of the original ingot. Plano-convex ingots like this one were used during the Late Bronze Age, c.1150-700 BC. The upper face of the ingot is smooth with some dark green patches of patina, and coppery red areas of decay, and the sides and the base of the fragment have cavities typically seen in these bun ingots. Similar ingot fragments have been found in metalworkers hoards in Cornwall dating from the Late Bronze Age, most recently in a hoard (2012 T570) from St Buryan (CORN-37D710), which was found with socketed axes that date from the Ewart Park phase (c.950-850 BC) of the Late Bronze Age.



Pearce (1983) illustrates similar ingots with rectangular profiles from Mountbatten, Plymouth on page 451, PLate 36, Nos.281t, which were found with other Late Bronze Age metalwork, and an ingot fragment from Churston Ferrers, Torbay on page 457, Plate 40, No.306b, which was found with a larger plano-convex ingot.



The analysis by Camborne School of Mines below shows that the ingot is made of almost pure copper, which also suggests that it dates from the Late Bronze Age (Dr. Peter Northover pers comm).
Notes: Report from X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy analysis by Kathryn Moore at Camborne School of Mines:



Copper 93.82% / Iron 0.062% / Selenium 0.06% / Nickel 0.038% / Bismuth 0.021%



Balance (gasses etc) 5.96%
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Torc (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1150)
Material: Gold 
Found: Crowmarsh, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25 mm
Weight: 5.3 g
Description: A three-sided gold fragment, 25mm long, now worn and flattened. This is a fragment probably from a three-stranded twisted bar torc dating to the Middle Bronze Age, c 1300-1150BC.



Gillian Varndell, Curator, Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory
Notes: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of this three-sided gold fragment indicated a surface composition of approximately 83-86% gold, 13-16 % silver and approximately 1% copper. The fragment weighs 5.3 grams.



Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, The British Museum
Subsequent action: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to 800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Hagbourne, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40.39 mm
Weight: 4.1 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy awl, probably dating to the later Bronze Age (c. 1150-800 BC). Frm the centre of the object, the awl has one sub-rectangular cross section that terminates in a flattened wedge-shape while the opposing end tapers to a point. There is some pitting on the surface of the awl which suggests some age, however there is some debate as to the date of such awls, which probably first appeared in the Late Bronze Age but could conceivably have continued to have been made until much later; here the patina does suggests a early prehistoric date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Hoard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Great Ellingham, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Two fragments of Late Bronze Age objects found 10 meters apart and probably forming part of a dispersed hoard.



1. Fragment of socketed axe head. A tiny section of the moulded mouth with a narrow moulding below, D-sectioned loop and broken, irregular part of one side and face. Internal casting seam on one face and external casting seam above loop. Breaks irregular, ancient and quite worn. Surviving length 41mm. Surviving width 35mm. Weight 27.0g.



2. Possible fragment from an axe head or other copper alloy object, consistent with bronze objects of a similar date to No. 1. Wedge-shaped, broken on two sides, the surviving original edges damaged and corroded. Surviving length 21mm. Surviving width 24mm. Thickness at break 11mm. Weight 18.1g.



Probably Late Bronze Age, 1000 - 700 BC
Notes: Although object No. 2 cannot be certainly ascribed to a known Bronze Age artefact type because of its condition, its proximity to object No. 1 (of known Bronze Age date) and the fact that its form and condition is not inconsistent with objects of Bronze Age date, it can, on the balance of probability, be described a dispersed hoard. The finds therefore belong to a grouping of at least two prehistoric base-metal objects and thus as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act (1996) (Designation Order 2002).
Subsequent action: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Object: Ferrule (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2200 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bempton, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 44.5 mm
Thickness: 18.3 mm
Weight: 66.8 g
Description: A copper alloy ferrule of probable Bronze Age date. The object is bi-conical with a wide central perforation running through it. Both faces appear to be decorated. And the edges are worn. Possibly from a staff or similar.



The metal has a mid brownish-green patina and is worn. The object is 44.5mm in diameter, 18.3mm thick and weighs 66.8g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1140)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wantage, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.96 mm
Thickness: 2.79 mm
Weight: 5 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy blade of probable Middle Bronze Age date (1400 - 1140 BC). The object is the tip of a weapon such as a rapier, sword or dirk. The blade tip has a central mid-rib and a worn lozengiform cross section with broadly parallel edges, suggesting a long slender-tipped object like a rapier sword. Although there is some damage to the point and the blade itself is slightly bent the edges and overall appearance remain in relatively good condition. Long bladed weapons are thought to be for stabbing rather than slashing (Peter Reavill pers.comm.).
Notes: 
Although several items of middle to late Bronze Age date were recovered from the surrounding area, these finds are representitive of general dispersed activity in the Bronze Age landscape.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Weston-on-Avon, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.38 mm
Thickness: 3.83 mm
Weight: 5.8 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy awl of probable Bronze Age date, circa 2150 BC - 800 BC. At one end the point tapers in a sub-circular section. The tang end is flattened and becomes sub-rectangular in section. The shaft is rectangular in section. The surface of the awl is worn with an uneven dark green and mid brown surface patina. Identified as probably dating to the Bronze Age owning to the fabric of the object. However, as a functional object the form of the awl barely changes from the Bronze Age to Medieval periods and a selection of broadly comparable awls are recorded in Ottaway and Rodgers: 2002 Craft, Industry and Everyday Life: Finds from Medieval York, p2729-2730. Ottaway and Rodgers note that although most awls are associated with leather working, some would have been used in woodworking, bone working and other crafts. A similar awl is recorded under reference SWYOR-320717.



Length is 58.38mm. Width at the shaft is 4.76mm and thickness at the same point is 3.83mm. Weight is 5.8g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1850 to -1750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Horton, Staffordshire Moorlands, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 118.3 mm
Thickness: 14.9 mm
Weight: 242.2 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy developed flat axe, of Early to Middle Bronze Age (1850 BC to 1750 BC) dating.



The axe is a narrow butted flat axe with a median bevel / proto stop ridge 61.2 mm from the butt end. It has tapering sides, which extend slightly above the front and back faces of the axe, a flat butt and a flared cutting edge with concave shoulders. The cutting edge was crescentric in plan and measures 2.5 mm thick and 52.0 mm wide. The butt is 20.3 mm wide and 3.9 mm thick. The width at the median bevel / proto stop ridge is 30.4 mm and it is 14.9 mm thick. The tips of the crescent shaped blade have been damaged through either abrasion or wear, as has the blade edge itself.



In total the axehead measures 118.3 mm in length, with a maximum width of 52.0 mm and a maximum thickness of 14.9 mm. It weighs 242.2 g.



The axehead is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. The patina has flaked away from the surface in a couple of areas, leaving a lighter green area. These areas should be monitored regularly for signs of active copper corrosion (bronze disease) occurring. This would be visible as a bright green powdery residue appearing on the surface of the flat axehead. To reduce this risk, the axehead should be stored in a sealed air tight dry box, such as a tupperware box with a liquid seal, lined with silica gel and acid free tissue.



The object can be classified as a developed flat axe most probably an undecorated type Bandon (corresponding to Type Derryniggin in Ireland). These are dated to the Early Bronze Age (EBA phase II / III), of metalworking stage IV-V (more likely V), which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2000 - 1700 CAL. BC. The flat axe probably dates from c.1850-1750 BC.



Similar examples have been found at Margam, Port Talbot (Savory 1980, No. 122) and Breach Farm, Vale of Glamorgan (Savory 1980, No. 338) associated with a cremation burial recently radiocarbon dated to c. 1750 - 1600 BC. A similar example which can be found on the database is NMGW-FDBB88.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rosliston, South Derbyshire, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43 mm
Thickness: 2.2 mm
Weight: 31.43 g
Description: Incomplete copper alloy Early to Mid Bronze age flat axe. The butt end is missing. The other end is slightly expanded with a curved blade. It is highly corroded with a pitted green patina.



Length: 43.0mm, width: 29.0mm, thickness: 2.2mm, weight: 31.43g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: North Carlton, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 157 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight: 451 g
Description: Copper alloy Bronze Age palstave axe, The axe is complete and has a rounded, damaged, blade with a steeply angled blade edge. The centre of its body has a shallow semi-circular depression below a straight stop. It has short triangular shaped flanges. Along the casting ridge on one edge (left in picture) there is a slight protrusion and possible scars from a suspension loop?



Length: 157mm, width: 32.0mm, thickness at flange: 22.0mm, at blade: 72.0mm, weight: 451g.



the axe is similar to examples in BAR 233 36, 37 and 39 which are Shield pattern Palstaves, Burgess class I.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Blofield, Broadland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53 mm
Thickness: 10.5 mm
Weight: 49.27 g
Description: Complete miniature copper alloy flanged axhead or chisel, slight flanges, surface pitted and corroded. Slightly trapezoidal body with flaring flange, asymmetrical lenticular long-section. Length 53mm. Width 27mm. 10.5mm thick. Weighs 49.27g. Early to Middle Bronze Age, c. 2000-c.1500 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Soulbury, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.16 mm
Thickness: 18.26 mm
Weight: 58.22 g
Description: 
A plano-convex piece of casting waste, possibly a fragment from a copper alloy casting well. Date uncertain - possibly Bronze Age..

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2000 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Denmead, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 17.61 mm
Weight: 4.13 g
Description: 
A fragment of cast copper alloy casting waste. The fragment may be a casting well, perhaps of Bronze Age date..

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ystradfellte, Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 166.79 mm
Thickness: 31.68 mm
Weight: 494.1 g
Description: A complete and corroded Middle Bronze Age cast copper-alloy Group I or III palstave (1500-1300 BC). A copper alloy palstave with shield shaped pattern below the stop ridge, and raised flange facets. The blade of the palstave is sub-triangular in plan with rounded blade tips, one tip in particular is heavily abraded. The surface of the blade has traces of hammer marks forming lines which cross the blade. The cutting edge is rounded due to abrasion. The sides of the blade are concave in plan, and this curvature stops at the nicks at the junction of the blade and flange side. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the widest section being before the stop ridge. On both faces of the palstave there is a prominent stop-ridge, one of which has a swallow hole (casting flaw) behind it, on the septum. This face also has an indistinct shield decoration below the stop-ridge on the blade face. The other side this shield decoration is not visible, and this may be due to the heavy abrasion and pitting. The flange sides are an asymmetrical lozenge in plan, and on the septrum faces the flange facets are higher on one face than the other. The septrum tapers slightly towards the butt, which is damaged due to another casting flaw. The surface has patches of a drk green/brown patina, otherwise it is heavily pitted, abraded and has some active corrosion occurring. The palstave measures 166.79mm long from the blade cutting edge to the butt, 65.5mm wide from one blade tip to the other, and 31.68mm thick across the stop ridges. It weighs 494.1g.



The palstave is an early example and is classified as a Group I or III type which has a shield like decoration below the stop ridge. These group of palstaves date to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to 1500-1300 BC (http://finds.org.uk/bronzeage/objects/axes).
Notes: 
Many thanks to the Birmingham Museums Trust Conservation Department who x-rayed the palstave.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lyminge, Shepway, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 60.95 mm
Weight: 12.88 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy Bronze Age Awl dating to circa 900 - 600 BC. At one end the point tapers to a rounded point and has a circular section. The tang end is flattened and is sub-rectangular in section. The shaft is sub-rectangular in section. The surface of the awl is pitted and worn, with a light to dark green patina. It has been dated to the Bronze Age due to its fabric, however as a functional object the form of the awl barely changes from the Bronze Age to Medieval periods. Awls were mostly associated with leather working, but also wood and bone working. Similar possible Bronze Age awls can be found in: Read, B. 2001. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity. Pp.91 & 94. No. 694.



Length is 60.95mm. The tang is 6.47mm in width and 3mm thick. The point is 2.62mm thick. The widest point of the shaft is 7.05mm. The awl weighs 12.88g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1300 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rockbourne, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 17 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Weight: 4.23 g
Description: An incomplete copper-alloy late Bronze Age/early Iron Age socketed axehead missing all but a small fragment of the lip and side of the socket. There is a ridge running perpendicular to the lip, which is likely to be the mould line found on socketed axeheads. The lip itself is thicker than the rest of the fragement (3.50mm as opposed to 2.20mm). It has a medium green patina. The outer surface is rough while the inner surface is very smooth.Overall the fragment measures 17.00mm long, 21.35mm wide, 5.50mm thick and weighs 4.23g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -750)
Material: Gold Silver
Found: East Claydon, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.6 mm
Thickness: 7.9 mm
Weight: 22.8 g
Description: A gold alloy 'finger shaped' ingot. The ingot is broadly rectangular in plan with a facetted oval / plano-convex shaped cross section. The ingot tapers in width from a bulbous terminal to a slender section which is broken; the break is recent, fresh and unabraded. The bulbous end has a slightly faceted section. There is no evidence of hammer marks or small striations, the surface is slightly pitted through corrosion and abrasion. The ingot is a yellow colour with a smooth surface.





Dimensions:

The ingot measures: 35.6mm length, 10.7mm maximum width, 7.9mm maximum thickness; and it weighs 22.8 grams





Metal content:

Analysis using surface XRF undertaken at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery / Birmingham Museums Trust shows the ingot is composed of

Gold (Au) 79.8%, Silver (Ag) 14.6%, Copper (Cu) 5.7%. The analysis of the ingot was undertaken on a clean and unabraded section of the break - giving analysis from the core of the ingot





Discussion:

Ingots of this size, shape and composition are notoriously difficult to date / identify to specific archaeological periods. The lack of hammer marks and other decorative features also make this task additionally problematic. The gold composition (above) does not preclude a Bronze Age date but it is unlikely to be of Early Bronze Age date. The copper content suggests it was added as an alloying ingredient and the gold/silver ratio could be natural alluvial gold. A similar planeo-convex ingot was discovered within a hoard of gold bracelets from Llanarmon-yn-ial, Denbighshire. (NGMW accession number: 82.93H/1-5/ Green 1982). As such it is possible to suggest that this example dates from the later Bronze Age c. 1500 - 750 BC)
Notes: I believe that both the precious metal content (gold and silver) of the ingot and the date of manufacture in the later Bronze Age fulfils the requirements of the Treasure Act.





References:

Green, H S, 1982, 'A late Bronze Age hoard from Llanarmon-yn-ial', Archaeology in Clwyd 5, 15.





Powell, N and Varndell, G. (2005) A bronze Age ingot from Wembury, Devon : DEV-5B7171 / 2005-T123
http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/96955





Richardson, A and Varndell, G. (2005) A bronze Age ingot from Ashbourne, Kent :KENT-ED8F86 / 2005-T123
http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/107065





Varndell, G. 2000: A Late Bronze Age Gold Ingot from Liddington, Wiltshire in Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999 DCMS London pp15 ref 11
Subsequent action: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1000 to 700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Grimston, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23.5 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 6.82 g
Description: Fragment of mouth of a probable Late Bronze Age socketed axe. Oval-sectioned, broken at both ends, offset casting seam on outer and inner face. Extant length 23.5mm. Weight 6.82g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -800)
Material: Gold 
Found: Wix, Tendring, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 10.5 mm
Weight: 11.64 g
Description: A fragment of an ingot or, perhaps more likely, an incomplete piece of goldwork from the production process. Half of the fragment has been hammered into a bar with a relatively regular square cross-section. The end appears to have been cut. The remainder of the fragment has not been as highly worked and is a relatively irregular sub-rectangular shape that tapers away to a thinner cross-section. It is not clear whether this end has been cut or whether it has broken.



The more highly worked end of the fragment can be compared with a fragment with rectangular profile from Chalvington with Ripe in East Sussex (Treasure case: 2008 T425). The less highly worked end of the fragment can be compared with a number of probable prehistoric (probably Bronze Age) ingot fragments, including examples from Brabourne in Kent (Treasure case: 2005 T259), Trowse with Newton, Norfolk (Treasure case: 2002 T99), and the more substantial finger-shaped ingot from East Claydon, Buckinghamshire (2013 T850) and West Knoyle in Wiltshire (Treasure case: 2014 T686). It can, therefore, on the balance of probabilities, be considered to be of prehistoric (probably Bronze Age) date.



Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis undertaken on the surface of the gold by the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research at the British Museum indicated a surface composition of approximately 91-92% gold, 6-7 % silver and approximately 2% copper. This is consistent with a Bronze Age date.



Dimensions: Length: 10.5mm; Sub-rectangular cross-section of 9mm by 5mm; Weight: 11.64g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: South Lopham, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 26.48 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead, the crescentic cutting edge with the end of the socket just visible in theancient break. The surfaces and the break are stained brown. The cutting edge is sharp despite a little scuffing, both old and recent. Width 43.8mm. Thickness 10mm. Extant length 20mm. Weight 26.48g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Beeston with Bittering, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 76.6 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Weight: 11.12 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy awl. At the junction of the tang and blade the cross-section is sub-square. The blade's cross-section remains as it tapers to the point while the tang is wedge-shaped, i.e. two sides narrow to a sharp terminal while the other two converge very slightly. Length 76.5mm. Width / thickness at the centre 6 x 5.5mm. Weight 11.12g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stoke Holy Cross, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 15.2 g
Description: Fragment of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy rapier blade, both ends broken in antiquity. Surviving length 39mm. Width 22mm. 5mm thick. Weighs 15.20g. c.1600-c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Scarning, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38 mm
Thickness: 4.8 mm
Weight: 19.97 g
Description: Incomplete butt end of a Middle Bronze Age rapier and the upper end of the blade, in rather abraded condition. Dark brown patination remains in some places. Scuffing has removed both cutting edges and it is only at the shoulder that any of the original edge survives. Extant length and width 38 and 32.5mm. Thickness 4.8mm. Weight 19.97g. c.1600 - c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Skidby, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight: 100 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axehead of late Bronze Age date. The fragment is the blade end including the base of the socketed area. It is a tapering rectangle in section and trapezoidal in plan with a worn cutting edge and rounded corners. The breaks at the socketed end are old and worn and casting flashes are present along either side. The interior is filled with organic material as a result of its deposition.



The metal has a mid brownish-green patina and is worn. The fragment is 52mm long, 49.1 to 35.4mm wide, 19 to 3.7mm thick and weighs 100g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shouldham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22 mm
Weight: 21.9 g
Description: Fragment of Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe, surviving end comprises part of the cutting edge and one side to just beyond the start of the internal socket. Surviving length 22mm. Surviving width 31mm. Weighs 21.90g. c.1000 - c.701 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Hammer (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Spofforth with Stockeld, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.7 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight: 94.85 g
Description: Late Bronze Age socketed hammer, face rectangular, 23.5 x 21.0mm but with convex sides. Section waisted expanding into a 14.8mm flared collar separated from the body by a slight step its section developing from 18.4 x 19.1mm square to almost circular at the mouth. The mouth has a diameter of around 17.2mm, the socket is 44.8mm deep and tapers down to a flat, oval area at its base. Lines of casting flash mark the mould joint lines down the two sides. One of these is slightly curved the other is set at 12 degrees to the axis of the hammer. Much of the hammer's original surface is lost but what remains is covered with fine, transverse striations suggesting finishing. The face of the hammer is rounded and set at 6 degrees to its axis, although worn it retains traces of striations. The casting flash abuts transverse mouldings run, parallel to the face, across each side of the hammer.



While cast bronze hammers are known from Middle Bronze Age hoards this object finds it best parallels in the late Bronze Age and resembles examples from the Reach Fen, Cambs. Hoard (Inventaria Archaeologia GB 17/3, no. 34 (1956) 3rd set), Isle of Harty, Kent (ibid. GB 18.3, no 22) , Thorndon Suffolk, (ibid. GB 11, 1955, 2nd set) and Rosebury Topping, North Yorkshire, Catalogue fo the Bateman Collection, Sheffield Museum 1899, 88.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mendham, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 9.5 mm
Thickness: 4.6 mm
Weight: 5.45 g
Description: Fragment of the cutting edge of a Bronze Age axehead of uncertain type. Length 9.5mm. Width 37.5mm. Thickness 4.6mm. Weight 5.45g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Snetterton, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27 mm
Description: Tip of Late Bronze Age copper alloy spearhead in abraded condition, broken across socket which extends almost to the point. Surviving length 27mm. Width 15mm. Weighs 5.18g. 1000-701 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chaddesley Corbett, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.6 mm
Thickness: 3.7 mm
Weight: 12 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy blade, of Middle Bronze Age dating (1500 CAL BC to 1150 CAL BC - Needham's Period 5).



The blade fragment is sub trapezoidal in plan, and lentoid in cross section. The blade tapers towards either edge. The edges to the top and bottom are old, pre depostional breaks. No evidence of rivet holes are present at the top of the blade fragment. No decoration is present on either the front or back of the blade.



It measures 54.6 mm in length, has a maximum width of 19.4 mm and a minimum of 9.2 mm. It is 3.7 mm thick in the centre of the blade and 2.7 mm thick along the blade edges. It weighs 12.0 g.



The blade fragment is a mid to dark brown colour, with an even surface patina.



A similar blade fragment has been recorded on the PAS database as WMID-277BF6.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Razor (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bolton-le-Sands, Lancaster, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Controlled archaeological investigation (stratified)
Length: 38 mm
Thickness: 3.5 mm
Weight: 4.32 g
Description: Fragment of a copper alloy blade, probably a double-edged tanged razor dating from the Late Bronze Age, about 1,000 - 800BC. The fragment is roughly leaf-shaped with a flat diamond-shaped cross-section. The outside edges are largely missing. Part of the rectangular sectioned tang remains though most has broken off. There is no decoration on the surface. A smooth mid green patina survives in places but mud adhering to the faces obscures much of the surface. A fairly broad, flat rib can be seen on both faces, running from the tang towards the point of the blade. The length is 38mm, the width is 18mm, thickness 3.5mm and the weight 4.32g. Associated with LANCUM-0788A0.



More complete examples can be seen: SWYOR-CA128E and YORYM-4525A3. Associated with LANCUM-06AA41, LANCUM-0633E7, LANCUM-064172, LANCUM-0788A0, LANCUM-BC95E9 and LANCUM-064172.
Notes: 
Peter Reavill comments that Double edged razors have a distribution which was "Widespread across Britain and Ireland, particularly in the Midlands, Yorkshire, Wessex and the Thames area." He goes on to cite The PAS Bronze Age Guide by Ben Roberts, that: "The term double-edged razor covers three broad types of the same implement; those that were handled, [those] with a pierced tang, and [those] with a non-pierced tang. Representing the earliest form of copper-alloy razor, these varied in shape, starting initially with the handled examples which resembled spearheads (i.e. elongated triangular-edges, with one or two rivet holes at the base for affixing a handle. The tanged varieties were more leaf shaped, echoing the styles that came afterwards. The overall shape and size of these razors varied slightly across different regions of continental Europe, resulting in many different typologies and sub-categories."

Subsequent action: Undergoing further examination at a museum