dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2300 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brewood and Coven, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 15.95 mm
Thickness: 5.9 mm
Weight: 2.1 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy fragment from what was probably a Bronze Age spearhead. The object is hollow and lozenge shaped in section and rectangular in plan. The central area has three facets and a wing on each side. It has a brown to grey patina. It measures 15.95 mm long, 12.0 mm wide, 5.9 mm thick and weighs 2.1 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , Dorset ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 81.8 mm
Weight: 122.3 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy annular bracelet/arm-ring probably of Bronze Age date. The bracelet, which has an internal diameter of 64.5mm, an external diameter of 81.8mm and a width of 16.6mm has a sub-triangular section with a flat inner side and rounded apex running around the centre of the outer side. The surfaces are heavily pitted and there is a crack at one point. The remaining original surface does not show any incised decoration however too much of the surface has been lost to definitively state whether it was decorated or not.











Similar plain and incised (Liss-type) bracelets in copper alloy are known from the Taunton phase (1,400 -1,200 BC) of the Bronze Age onwards, mainly from Southern Britain. They are comparatively rarer than tools and weapons. Similar examples were found in the Ebbesbourne Wake hoard (Moore and Rowlands 1972:63-5, Plate XV) and a hoard from Norton Fitzwarren (Needham in Ellis 1989:31-31, 36).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Farnsfield, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.4 mm
Thickness: 19.7 mm
Weight: 33.18 g
Description: Part of a copper alloy Bronze Age spearhead dating from the Middle Bronze Age, about 1550 BC - 1250 BC. Only the socket survives, so the shape of the blade is unknown. There are side loops half way along the socket which is circular in section. Most of one side of the socket is missing, and one of the loops is broken. It has a dark grey green patina. The socket is slightly tapering, suggesting that the fragment might be classified as Davis Group 6, 'developed side looped'.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1250 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wantage, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.58 mm
Weight: 3.9 g
Description: A cast copper alloy awl or other leather working tool. The awl has a square cross section in the centre, from where the awl tapers to a rounded point at one end and aflattened point at the other - this flattened end was probably the tang and the tool would have been inserted into a wooden or bone handle. The patina on the awl is a deep even green. Together with the size and form of the awl, the patina suggests a late Bronze Age date (c. 1250-700 BC), although leather working tools did not change from this period through into the Roman period and even into the medieval period.
Notes: 
Part of a larger collection purchased from a car boot sale. The seller informed the purchaser that the finds were from the Vale of The White Horse District, mostly around the Wantage area. Since no other provenance about these finds is known their archaeological value is limited, but we are grateful to the current owner recording this collection nonetheless.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Scotter, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57.9 mm
Thickness: 17.7 mm
Weight: 56.36 g
Description: Part of a bronze age side-looped, socketed spearhead, dating from the Middle Bronze Age, about 1550 - 1250BC. It consists of a tapering, hollow shaft, broken at both ends, two flattened, lozenge-shaped side loops, and two short sections of the blade, most of which is missing. It is probable that the blade was leaf-shaped. What remains of the spearhead corresponds with Davis Groups 5 or 6. Davis (2017) notes that 'spearheads from the earlier MBA [Middle Bronze Age] were those with sockets extending into the blade, and with loops on the side of the socket'. He dates these 'to the Acton Park and Taunton phases, 1550-1250 BC', consequently this example has been dated similarly. The mid rib is D-shaped in section on one face and triangular in section on the other, probably as a result of a slight deformity in the casting mould. The spearhead has a dark green patina. It is 57.9mm long, 36.5mm wide and 17.7mm thick. It weighs 56.36gm.
Subsequent action: Donated to the Scheme for educational use
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1800 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pitton and Farley, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41.25 mm
Thickness: 13.1 mm
Weight: 17.64 g
Description: A fragment from the body of a Bronze Age cast copper-alloy basal-looped spearhead. The socket is broken just below the base of the blade wings in a diagonal break that appears quite deliberate. The socket extends c. 28.3mm into the fragment. The midrib is more rounded on one side of the blade and has a more obvious ridge on the other. At the break to the blade a lozengiform cross-section is revealed, with the midrib section continuing in tapering flat triangles to each side. The bevel to the outside edges of the blade is c. 3.0mm. Naturally the loops are adjacent to the midrib, but almost seem like an afterthought rather than an integral feature. They are formed within a heavily scored area extending c. 30mm up the blade from the socket/blade junction. The perforations forming the loops begin between around 8 and 12mm up from the junction respectively. They are thin and oval. On the outer edge there is no integral loop plate. The unusual characteristics of this spearhead make its attribution as a basal-looped type tentative, although an example illustrated in Savory (1980, 175; ref. 232) is comparable. The edges of the fragment are slightly abraded but the piece otherwise survives in good condition. It has a general dull-grey patina with a few patches of green corrosion product, particularly at the break to the blade.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Worfield, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.99 mm
Thickness: 10.3 mm
Weight: 7.7 g
Description: A copper-alloy fragment of what may be a Bronze Age arrowhead. The object is lozenge shaped in section with two 'wings'. It tapers gradually to a point, although point is somewhat blunt. The arrowhead is solid, although it is clearly broken before the attachment end so it is difficult to determine whether it would originally have been socketed or tanged. It measures 37.99 mm long, 10.3 mm thick and weighs 7.7 grams. It has a rough green patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sutton Trinity, Birmingham, Birmingham (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.95 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 15 g
Description: A broken copper-alloy socketed arrowhead of Bronze Age date. The arrowhead is lozenge shaped in section although the wings are damaged and are almost completely missing. The tip is also broken and missing. The socketed end, also broken, has an aperture of 7.66 mm. The arrowhead tapers from 11 mm wide at the socketed end to 7.55 mm at the broken point. It measures 52.95 mm long and weighs 15 grams. It has a smooth grey patina with green corrosion in places, particularly at the breaks.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Avebury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Other chance find
Length: 30.45 mm
Thickness: 7.24 mm
Weight: 11.46 g
Description: A fragment of Late Bronze Age (1150-800 BC) Socketed Axehead, consisting of the cutting edge only and broken just above the start of the socket on one face. It measures 30.45x18.20x(max)7.24mm and weighs 11.46g.


The cutting edge is expanded and worn but apparently undamaged. Both faces are pitted and the shorter looks 'caved in' at the edge - conducive with a hammer blow. All breaks are old.


The socket is rectangular in cross-section, and the fragment itself triangular in cross-section.


While the axehead is rather small, it is difficult to say whether or not it is 'votive'. It may have just had a use as a small axehead. However the probable hammer blow could well be ritualistic - although it could equally represent the scrapping of metal, the hoards of which are so prevalent during the Ewart Park phase (1000-800 BC).


Ben Roberts (British Museum) comments that although the form of the blade is different, it is similar to Miniature axeheads, which have a concentration in Wiltshire, and are datable from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman period.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2300 to -2000)
Material: Copper 
Found: Middleton, North Warwickshire, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63.2 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 122.5 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper flat axe dating from the early Bronze Age, from circa 2300 to 2000 BC. The axe is broken before the butt end and has a crescent shaped chunk missing at the break. It is very worn and suffers from corrosion, with a green copper corrosion product visible on both sides of the surface. The axe flares in width from 22.9 mm at the break to 57.14 mm at the widest point of the blade. It is 8.8 mm thick and weighs 122.5 grams. It would originally have been about 85 mm long, but is now 63.2 mm in length. Other than the areas of green corrosion the axe has a purple/brown patina and is very rough.
Notes: Post recording, Finder got the elemental composition of the flat axehead assessed. The results are: Ag = 0.746% with an error of 0.161 and Cu = 99.25% with an error of 0.97.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Narborough, Blaby, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54 mm
Diameter: 4 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight: 91.5 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy axe tip, 54mm long, 33mm wide and 17mm thick. The object is in poor condition and weighs 91.5grams. The object consists of a very worn axe fragment with rounded blade, 5mm thick, tapering sides and a broken edge revealing a thick rectangular hollow body. The shape suggests it may be from a Palstave type axe.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.7 mm
Thickness: 10.77 mm
Weight: 102 g
Description: Fragment of an early Bronze Age flat axe, c. 2500- 1700 BC in date.











It is the blade and the lower part of the shaft which remains. It is corroded all over the surface and this has caused pitting. The blade edge is uneven with bits missing and worn away. The axe has a rectangular cross-section, narrowing towards the blade which splays out from the shaft. The blade measures 46.13mm in width, the shaft 27.97mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Hanney, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.79 mm
Thickness: 2.36 mm
Description: A broken copper alloy Middle Bronze Age rapier tip, dating to c.1200BC. The rapier has a central rib.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stoke Bruerne, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40 mm
Weight: 9.68 g
Description: 
A fragment of cast copper alloy blade of Bronze Age date.






The blade is lentoid in section with one original edge still present. The original form, size and shape of the object is obscured by the current fragmentary and damaged state of the object.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Horncastle, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.19 mm
Thickness: 1.62 mm
Weight: 12 g
Description: A fragment of a basel-side-looped middle Bronze age spear head, dating to 1500-1100 BC. The point of the spear head is missing, but the socket which would have fitted onto the spear is present. The socket is hollow and conical, flaring towards the bottom. Two C-shaped attachment loops sit on either side nearer to the base, with flattened tops.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Milton, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 96.86 mm
Thickness: 24.06 mm
Weight: 200.5 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy palstave of middle Bronze Age date. The axe is in reasonable condition, although there is damage to the butt, some of which is missing, and other scuff marks on the blade and body of the axe. The palstave is fairly short and chunky with maximum dimensions of 96.86 mm long, 43.39 mm wide, 24.06 mm thick and 200.5 grams in weight. A U shaped flange is situated at the butt end of the axe, terminating in a stop ridge at the palstave's thickest point. On both sides, immediately after the stop ridge there are angled grooves which form a 'shield' or lozenge shaped central rib which continues in a subtle way down the blade of the axe after the grooves finish. The blade is slightly faceted and is crescent shaped in plan, triangular in profile. The axe has a dark grey patina with areas of green corrosion where it has been damaged, particularly on one edge, the blade and at the butt and septum, though it is pock marked with corrosion at many points.



The palstave has its closest parallel illustrated in Schmidt and Burgess (1981: pl. 61. no.833) which is a defined as a group 3 low flanged palstave dating to c. 1400-1150 cal BC. No exact parallels are illustrated by Rowlands (1976: pl. 86 hoard 73 item 5) although he considers recessed decoration similar in form to be a developed shield pattern found on Class 1 group 5 palstaves found typically in Hampshire. it is appropriate to suggest that this therefore fits within the larger developed shield pattern group within this study thought to also date to c, 1400-1150 cal BC. A less squat form on the database is BERK-CD4525
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wetwang, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.8 mm
Thickness: 7.6 mm
Weight: 11.24 g
Description: A cast, copper alloy fragment of a spearhead dating to the Middle to Late Bronze Age, about 1550 - 800BC. The mid-rib of the blade is circular in section, tapering to the point, and continuing to the tip of the blade. The blade on both sides of the mid-rib is damaged, pieces having chipped away. The object has a light green patina. It is 47.8mm long, 15.2mm wide and 7.6mm thick. It weighs 11.24gm. Similar spear points can be found on the database at references BH-22B835 and BH-446B54.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wetwang, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23.68 mm
Thickness: 4.7 mm
Weight: 3.9 g
Description: 
A small fragment of a copper alloy unidentified object which may date from the Bronze Age. The fragment is triangular in plan and slightly curved in section. The edges are rounded and worn. One end is thicker than the other. It has a well developed green patina. Though it is not possible to say what object this is part of, the wear, metal and patina suggest a Bronze Age date. Though not associated, the fact that a Bronze Age spear tip was found in an adjacent field may be significant.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2300 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kirby Bellars, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 1.7 g
Description: Pointed end of a square-sectioned Bronze Age copper alloy awl. The object is 26mm long, 4mm wide, 4mm thick and weighs 1.7g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2300 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hoby with Rotherby, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight: 8.9 g
Description: Irregular copper alloy object, probably a casting sprue. The flared upper surface is slightly concave, beneath this is a tapering extension suggesting passage of the molten metal into the mould. The object is 20mm long, 17mm wide, 20mm thick and weighs 8.9g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: White Roothing, Uttlesford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.21 mm
Thickness: 2.95 mm
Weight: 5.55 g
Description: Bronze Age cast copper alloy fragment of a sword, comprised of the tip end of the blade only. The fragment is triangular in plan with a slightly rounded end. It has a shallow lozenge-shaped cross section. It is 38.21mm long, 13.51mm wide and 2.95mm thick at the break. It weighs 5.55 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sickle (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cawood, Selby, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40.2 mm
Thickness: 18.7 mm
Weight: 31.44 g
Description: A copper alloy socket from a Bronze Age Sickle. The socket is conical with a rounded end and the mouth is complete with a slightly bevelled edge. There is an irregular hole in one side of the socket. The start of a blade with curved ribs projects to one side and points downwards. The ribs are on both faces and are matched. The object is broken across the blade. It has a well developed mottled green patina.



According to Fox's 1939 paper in The Prehistoric Society Journal, socketed sickles can have lateral or vertical sockets. This one is laterally socketed (which seems to be more common), but is a little more unusual in have ins closed top to the socket, but with the blade hardly projecting over the top of the socket. This example is most similar to Fox's suggested phases of development 4 or 5, and the ridged decoration on the blade seems similar to sickles believed to have developed in Ireland. Fox suggests that the earliest sickles developed in the lowlands of the UK, then spreading to Ireland and the Highland zones. The main distribution in 1939 was in South Wales, East Anglia, Ireland and Eastern Scotland, with a notable scarcity of examples from the Midlands and Northern England.



The sickle has some similarities with two sickles in Evans's Bronze Age implement corpus (1881). He illustrates two ribbed examples; fig 236 Near Errol, Perthshire and 237 Garvagh, Derry, page 200. The former is the most similar (Peter Reavill pers comm). These sickles are better known in Ireland and East Anglia and are comparatively rare elsewhere (Laura McLean pers comm). There is also an example in Devizes Museum (Katie Hinds pers comm). A Middle to Late Bronze Age date of 1500 BC - 800 BC has been suggested.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1100 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bacton, North Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Description: A fragment of a Middle Bronze Age sword. Only the tip remains, which judging from the neat linear break across the base, was intentionally cut from the body of the spear in antiquity.











The fragment is triangular in plan with a slightly rounded tip. The body of the fragment is flat, circa 2mm in thickness and tapers according to the cutting edges. The cutting edges are circa 3mm in width and are abraded.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hook, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.95 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Weight: 25.66 g
Description: A very worn and corroded, incomplete cast copper-alloy object, probably a gouge of Bronze Age. The artefact is sub-rectangular in shape and a shallow U-shaped in cross-section at one end, becoming circular at the other. One end is open (socketed) and there is a recess extending from this end into the body of the object which has a dark orange-brown mineralisation within the socket similar to DOR-FD5EF4 on this database. The artefact has a dark-brown patina in places, the majority on the concave recess and partially over the semicircular curve. There is evidence of pitting and the metal now has a light-mid green colour as it has suffered from bronze disease.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Creaton, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43 mm
Height: 16 mm
Weight: 29.25 g
Description: Slightly convex fragment of copper alloy cast with two short sprues, sub-circular in section and 14mm long with rounded tips. The sprues splay outwards away from each other. The reverse surface of the convex plate is rough, while the outsdie edge has been air cooled. The plate is 43mm x 30mm and broken on all four sides.






Peter Northgate of Oxford University has identified this as a late Bronze Age casting for a small spear socket.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to 50)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stone with Bishopstone and Hartwell, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63.5 mm
Diameter: 5.9 mm
Weight: 5.53 g
Description: A corroded and bent cast copper-alloy awl probably of Middle Bronze Age to Iron Age date. The awl is 63.5mm long overall and has a thickened centre 5.9mm dia. and tapers to a point at one end. The opposite end is square in section, shorter (18.45mm long) and tapers from 4.45mm to 2.85mm width.  This end probably took a wooden handle.  The pointed end has been bent to one side.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stoke Gabriel, South Hams, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 80 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Description: 
A Middle Bronze Age, copper-alloy palstave axehead. No further information recorded.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1700 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nassington, East Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 60 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 70.89 g
Description: Blade fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axehead of Bronze Age date (1700-1400 BC). Probable Needham class B.











A large steeply curved crescent shaped blade. Broken after the crescentic edges, revealing the horizontal inner groove.











A dark brown patina with several spots of probable bronze disease.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Hanney, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.73 mm
Weight: 59.36 g
Description: A copper alloy Bronze Age axe fragment, probably dating to the Middle Bronze Age c. 1500-1150 BC. The fragment is part of the blade of a socketed axe bearing clear hammer marks on one side. There are grinding striations. The base of the socket is 17.5mm from a worn edge. Asymmetrical casting with casting seam.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Erith, Bexley, Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.48 mm
Thickness: 22.49 mm
Weight: 133.47 g
Description: A late Bronze Age socketed incomplete axe head (1150-800BC).  The fragment comprises the blade and part of the body.  The axe head is hollow to a depth of 17.35mm (approximately half way down its length).  The blade expands and there are blade tip hollows to either side.  There are no traces of hammer or file marks along the blade suggesting this axe was never sharpened.






Dimensions: length: 51.48mm; blade width: 59.08mm; width of body: 39.75mm; thickness: 22.49mm; weight: 133.47g.
Notes: 
This axe head was possibly miscast or cut into pieces for recasting.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gurnard, Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.2 mm
Thickness: 4.6 mm
Weight: 20.29 g
Description: A complete Late Bronze Age cast copper-alloy tanged chisel (1150 BC-800 BC).
 
It is triangular in form and rectangular in cross-section. The tang flares out for a distance of about 32.0mm and then flares more widely to the cutting edge. The cutting edge is evenly rounded in plan and is steeply 'V'-shaped in side view. Each side of the tang has an uneven surface.
 
The surfaces have a mid-brown patina with some bubbly corrosion products. There is a small area of iron staining on one face close to the cutting edge.
 
52.2 x 40.0 x 4.6mm. Weight: 20.29g.
 
The implement probably belongs to the earlier period of the Late Bronze Age (pers. comm., Peter Reavill, 16/02/2011.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ivybridge, South Hams, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: 
Bronze Age copper alloy palstave axehead.

Notes: 
This record was originally left unfinished and has been updated and promoted so that it can be of use to researchers. It falls below our current standards for recording and identification.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Queniborough, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight: 18.47 g
Description: Tip of a narrow-bladed Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe or chisel. The object is in fair condition, is 25mm long, 23mm wide, 7mm thick and weighs 18.47g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barkby Thorpe, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 3.29 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy awl. It has an elongated eliptical shape, and consists of a square-sectioned, copper alloy spike which tapers at both ends. Both ends are slightly damaged. It may be the blade of a hand tool (missing its handle). The object is in fair condition, is 47mm long, 4mm wide, 5mm thick and weighs 3.29g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Button (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2350 to 1650)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wymeswold, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 18 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 5.29 g
Description: Copper alloy button-like object, possibly Bronze Age. The upper surface has a series of concentric ridges around a central pellet in a round depression. The rear face has an attachment loop formed by a semi-circular loop. The object is in good condition, is 18 mm diameter, 8mm thick and weighs 5.29g.
Notes: Pre P.A.S. record, recorded by Bob Rutland, ref. no. M13329/B3. Bob Rutland unconvinced that BA. Similar to BA items displayed at Flag Fen; details sent 1999 to Flag Fen but no reply.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bishops Waltham, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 155.7 mm
Thickness: 26.9 mm
Weight: 310 g
Description: A complete, but concreted, Middle Bronze Age cast copper-alloy palstave axehead from the Acton Park (phase 2) or Taunton phases, probably Taunton (c. 1500 - c. 1150 BC). It is unlooped with high, curved flanges (max. H.: 26.9mm), fused to the stop ridge. The septum (the area between the flange facets and the stop ridge) measures 70.3mm by c. 16mm. The width at the butt is 19.45mm. The flanges start to rise gradually from the butt, reaching a maximum height of c. 9.6mm above the septum. The stop ridge is stands c. 6mm above the septum. There is a shield shaped moulding beyond the stop ridge, and fused to it, on both faces (c. 19.5 by 18.0mm). This is bisected by a moulding ridge (seam) running the length of the axehead on both faces (including the septum); this starts on the lower blade and terminates before the butt. Each side of the ridge, within the shield, are two moulded longitudinal decorative ridges (forming a slight trident). There are further longitudinal ridges (casting seams) central on the sides; these have been finished by trimming the casting flash and hammering. The blade is 52.7mm across, with an edge bevel c. 9mm long (but obscured by accretions).  The object has suffered mild corrosion, and slight abrasions to one of the flanges. Where it survives the patina is dark brown; the metal is generally a mid-brown colour, slightly reddish. Spread all over the palstave are orange concretions presumably from local iron deposits.



The palstave fits into Rowlands' Class 1, developed shield pattern Group 2 palstaves; many developed shield pattern palstaves have been found in the Southampton area (ibid., 29), perhaps in emulation of what is generally an East Anglian form. This form of axehead fits within the corpus from the later Middle Bronze Age (MBA II), of metalworking tradition phase VIII / IX, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 5 1500-1150CAL. BC. It fits best within the Taunton metalworking tradition although has elements common with those seen with the second phase of the Acton Park tradition. The Rowlands distribution of these is useful, but as his corpus was produced in 1976 it does not include more recent Middle Bronze Age finds which might refine it. A similarly decorated shield can be seen on a palstave from Bottisham, Cambs, illustrated in Rowlands (1976, 293/Plate 27; ref. 339). There are many examples of palstaves with cast ribs on the septum, however the majority of these are grouped in threes rather than singly as on this example; a good parallel can be seen on a palstave from a hoard of 14 from Quex Park, Birchington, Hertfordshire (ibid., 246/Plate 10; ref. 10). This hoard seems to have been contained within a globular 'Deveral Rimbury style' urn.
Notes: 
Thanks to Peter Reavill (Shropshire FLO) for his help with description and parallels

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pencoed, Bridgend, Bridgend (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42.32 mm
Weight: 87.4 g
Description: Late Bronze Age socketed axe of uncertain type and probably of Ewart Park metalworking industry dated to 950 - 750BC (Needham 1996).



The axe is fragmentary, represented by the blade only (with a surviving length of 42.32mm and a weight of 87.4g). The axe is of sub-hexagonal section at the break (with a width of 44.3mm and a thickness of 9.7mm). One face of the axe is considerably thicker than the other (4.8mm compared to 2.9mm) because of misalignment of the core during casting, which may have caused weaknesses in the axe. The sides are moderately straight to concave for the short surviving section before diverging to the blade edge. The casting seams are discernible on the sides and appear to have been hammer-finished. The blade edge has been lost but was curved (with a surviving width of 47.3mm). The socket of the axe is now closed and both faces are concave across their widths, indicating that the axes faces were crushed. Both faces also display numerous battering marks and the thinner face has torn through the battering. Sharpening striations are evident running along the blade. The surface has a dark green patina where it survives and is pale green elsewhere.



Socketed axes can date to the Wilburton metalworking phase of the Late Bronze Age, dated to c. 1150-950BC although most recovered socketed axes are of EwartPark phase. The axe may have been of South Wales (Stogursey) type although the blade is comparatively broad for the type.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2100 to -1900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hamstall Ridware, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 119.5 mm
Thickness: 9.99 mm
Weight: 331.3 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy axehead of early Bronze Age date. The axehead is incomplete, missing the end of the butt. It is of late Migdale metalworking tradition, dating to Stage III of the early Bronze Age, spanning Needham's Period 2, c. 2,300 to 2,050 BC and the beginning of Period 3, c. 2050 to 1700 BC (Needham 1996, 127 - 130). The axehead suffers from damage to the tip and edges of the blade. This is probably post-depositional, as the patina on the breaks differs from that of the undamaged parts of the axe. The same can probably be said of the damage at the butt, although the damage here does not appear to have occurred very recently. Although damaged, the blade is convex in shape and the sides of the axe are slightly convex, tapering towards the butt and flaring towards the blade. There are very slight ridges at either edge of the face on both sides. A ridge also runs down each edge of the axe, making it pointed lozenge shaped in section. The axe tapers gradually in thickness from 9.99 mm at the broken butt end to 3.63 mm at the blade. Both faces exhibit faint longitudinal markings which run from the broken butt to the tip of the blade.  On other examples these are decorative rather than evidence for sharpening, as they appear to be cast and sometimes terminate before the blade (see DENO-93FB17 for example, on this database). These are probably also decorative on this example. Striations, probably caused by sharpening, are also visible on the blade. 











The axehead measures 119.5 mm in length, 32.6 mm wide at the broken point of the butt and 89 mm wide at the widest part of the blade. It weighs 331.3 grams. It has a dark brown patina with considerable evidence for wear. There are areas of green bronze corrosion at the tip of the blade and the break at the butt, as well in small areas of the face. The axehead probably dates to between 2100 and 1900 BC,
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1500 to 400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lucton, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.2 mm
Thickness: 17.1 mm
Weight: 55.46 g
Description: Copper alloy (bronze) casting waste of uncertain date; most probably Mid - Late Bronze Age (1500-700 BC). However, due to the lack of context and the continuation of casting styles this artefact could be dated from Bronze Age - Roman period (c. 1500 BC - 450 AD). This fragment is from the neck (funnel / well) of a composite probably two part mould. The casting waste is conical; being oval in plan and D shaped in cross section. In profile the edges of the waste taper relatively evenly. The base of the casting waste is irregular with the remains (nipples) of two runners / casting jets being present. These jets / runners are heavily abraded. The sides show no evidence of casting seams although they are also similarly abraded. The upper surface is pitted and rough, although heavily patinated: at the centre of the upper surface is a slight depression. This surface is commonly seen where the metal is poured into the neck of the mould and shrinks on cooling. The casting waste is a mid green colour with an abraded and corroded patina that covers all surfaces. Casting waste is very hard to date in isolation but the patina and form might suggest a Bronze Age - Roman date. The fact that this mould comes to an oval broken edge may suggest that it was for casting a palstave or possibly a tool; it is most likely to date from the Middle Bronze Age. A direct comparison has not been found. The survival of casting waste is relatively rare as it is usually recycled swiftly as a bi-product of casting.





The casting waste measures: 38.2mm length, is 30.0mm wide and 17.1mm thick. It weighs 55.46 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brompton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Cast Bronze Age sword, broken in two pieces. Probably Ewart Park, c.1100- 800 BC.


Although it is in two pieces, it is complete except for the hilt, which has broken at the shoulder, it is missing the grip and finial.


The edges of the blade are slightly damaged, and the tip appears slightly bent. It widens at the mid-blade point, before narrowing towarsd the waist. The waist and start of the mid-blade are also the thickest part, with a raised mid-rib.


From the waist the sword widens, at the ricasso, giving the lozenge-shaped start of the hilt. One side is broken. On the more complete side, two circular holes are visible at the edge.


It appears to have been broken deliberately before deposition. There is some damage at the hilt, partly due to bronze corrosion, but possibly due to mis-casting.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Trefriw, Conwy, Conwy (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 141.5 mm
Thickness: 16.7 mm
Weight: 174.7 g
Description: Denuded copper alloy unlooped palstave in two fragments, found some years ago in the top of a mound (GAT PRN 26156) at the above NGR whilst using a metal detector. 
 
The palstave has a flaring blade, although the cutting edge is no longer present and one tip is missing. The rounded stop-ridge is well-defined and a clear individual mid-rib runs from the stop-ridge towards the cutting edge of the blade (the terminus of the rib is unclear due to surface corrosion). Both features are extant on either side of the palstave, but are heavily eroded on one face only. The butt has also suffered significant damage from corrosion.
 
The palstave was cast-in-one and the total length would have been c. 145-50mm. The blade is sub-oval shape in cross-section with a protrusion in the centre of each face where the mid-rib runs across the surface. 
 
The fracture does not appear fresh, although it is unclear whether the item was found in two separate pieces or whether the break has occurred since its discovery. The surface appears to have been cleaned with an abrasive item such as wire wool, although a dark grey patina remains in places. The majority of the surface is pitted with green-tinged depressions and the palstave appears to have developed a defined waist as a result of corrosion c. 20mm from the stop-ridge.
 
The palstave appears to belong to the Acton Park industry, which emerged in north Wales at the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age. Although fine detail is difficult to discern on this item, it bears similarities to unlooped palstaves found at Holyhead Mountain, Ynys Môn; Fron-hir, Llanbister, Radnorshire; and those from Acton, Denbigh. (Savory 1980)
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stagsden, Bedford, Bedford (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 10.86 g
Description: Bronze age (Taunton phase?) copper alloy chisel fragment, 23mm long, 19mm wide and 6mm thick. The object is in fair condition and weighs 10.86 grams. The object consists of the tip of the chisel and is rectangular in form and triangular in section. The tip is quite worn and un-even and the interior has a sub circular void.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2400 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rimington, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 90 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 18.93 g
Description: Cast copper alloy flat axe dating from the very Early Bronze Age c. 2400-1500BC. The axehead is sub triangular in plan with a wide curved blade which tapers to a curved butt and is rectangular in section and there are no signs of a stop ridge. It has a rounded butt and a flared cutting edge with concave shoulders. The axe is worn with a flat, rectangular body that gradually tapers towards the butt end and the middle section is missing. Judging from the slightly tapering sides it is probably an earlier flat axe (that is from c. 2400-1700BC) rather than a later one from the Migdale metalworking tradition named after two sites in Scotland. The axe has patches of a brownish patina; the surface is smooth and in good condition. The length of the butt section is 60mm and the width 40mm and the length of the blade section is 90mm and the width 30mm.
Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2150 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: ORMSKIRK, West Lancashire, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.87 mm
Thickness: 12.81 mm
Weight: 36.8 g
Description: A fragment of copper alloy, probable casting waste, possibly of Bronze Age dating (2150 BC to 800 BC). However, due to the lack of context and continuation of casting styles, this fragment could be dated from the Bronze Age through to the Roman Period (c.2150 BC - 410 AD).



The fragment is sub triangular in plan, and roughly D shaped in cross section. It has an irregular, rough surface. It is most likely part of a copper ingot, prior to being smelted and cast. It is a mid to dark green colour. A couple of small areas of iron staining, probably due to impurities in the copper. An even patina covers the surface.


It measures 43.87mm in length, 24.86mm wide and 12.81mm thick. It weighs 36.8 grams.




In appearance, the fragment does display some similarities to a barbed and tanged arrowhead shape. However arrowheads made from copper alloy are incredibly rare and tend to be almost flat in profile, it is highly improbable that this fragment is a Bronze Age arrowhead. Due to the weight and appearance of the fragment, it is more likely that it is a small piece of a copper ingot, produced from the smelting of the copper ore, in preparation for casting. Casting waste is very hard to date in isolation but the patina and  form might suggest a Bronze Age - Roman date. A direct comparison has not been  found. The survival of casting waste is relatively rare as it is usually  recycled swiftly as a bi-product of casting.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Adze (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tanworth-in-Arden, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 111.29 mm
Thickness: 16.21 mm
Weight: 113.5 g
Description: A cast copper alloy Middle Bronze Age Palstave Adze. The cutting edge is on the vertical and is heavily abraded and corroded. In plan it is a slender elongated triangle which is slightly swollen along the centre of the lateral edges. The butt is also heavily abraded and corroded. The butt portion has a rectangular cell with an open end at the butt on the upper and lower face, thereby forming a 'H' shaped section. In profile the adze is a sub asymmetrical lozenge, with the butt tapering to a blunt point, and the blade portion of the adze having slightly concave sides and expanding in width at the blade. The surface of the adze has a well developed shiny mid orange/brown patina which is incomplete. It measures 111.29mm in length with a cutting edge 18.38mm wide, is 16.21mm wide across the butt/blade junction and weighs 113.5g. 


A very similar example has been recorded from Brokenborough, Wiltshire (WILT-DBCAF4) and on this example Brendan O'Connor commented:





'This is a type known to Evans (Ancient bronze implements, p 85, figs  70-1).  One of these is illustrated by Rowlands, The production and  distribution of metalworking the Middle Bronze Age in southern Britain,  pl 34, 1110'.





The Middle Bronze Age dates between c. 1500-1150 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hemsworth, Wakefield, Wakefield (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 102.02 mm
Thickness: 9.58 mm
Weight: 152.07 g
Description: A copper alloy early Bronze Age flat axe, dating from c. 2150- 1700 BC. In plan, from the square (incomplete?) butt  end the width gently expands to the blade end and then curves out at a  greater angle to the corners of the blade. The blade edge and tips are  damaged. In section, the axe is sub rectangular and there are no ridge /  stop or flanges. It tapers in thickness towards the blade and the butt. The sides are slightly rounded. It is  corroded over most of the surface and this has caused pitting. The blade  edge is uneven with bits missing and worn away. Small areas of the original surface and patina survive on the blade on both faces. There are diagonal scratched lines or striations one the surviving patina on one face, and transverse striations on the other face. The striations are usually the result of grinding the blade to sharpen it. Where it survives, the patina is a smooth glossy olive green. Compare DUR-8DF7F1 and DENO-8FC3A2.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Margaret Roding, Uttlesford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.66 mm
Thickness: 3.1 mm
Weight: 5.1 g
Description: Bronze Age cast copper alloy blade tip. The fragment is sub-triangular with curved edges tapering into a point. It has an elongated oval cross section. 36.66mm long, 14.07mm wide, 3.10mm thick. 5.5 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder