dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Moulsford, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.76 mm
Thickness: 21.03 mm
Description: 
Casting debris. A roughly circular, possibly Bronze Age, copper alloy well with a stub of a rectangular jet.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hartlip, Swale, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.74 mm
Thickness: 13.46 mm
Weight: 84.01 g
Description: A fragment of Middle Bronze Age (c.1500-1150BC) palstave axe-head, surviving only as the cutting edge and a tiny amount of the mid-rib body. The cutting edge is a wide convex crescent shape in plan. The blade is very short and has a steep drop from the body to the cutting edge, with some clear hammer blows and polishing striations visible on the surface. These features suggest an axe-head which has been maintained, the metal redrawn via hammering and re-sharpened a significant number of times. It is difficult to suggest the extent of this maintenance/reuse as palstaves dating from the latter end of the period tend to have shorter blades. Features to place this example within a chronological group have not survived, thus being able to suggest its shortness relates only to reuse and rather than style is not possible. At the broken end, which equates to the beginning of the palstave's likely rectangular body, a subtle shadow suggests the rib indicating its classification as a palstave axe. The break appears to be relatively recent and almost certainly relates to modern agricultural process. The fragment is very dark green on the body with a slightly different more olive green along the cutting edge.



Measurements: 45.58mm wide, 39.74mm long, 13.46mm thick and 84.01g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Middleton Tyas, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 60.97 mm
Thickness: 16.67 mm
Weight: 26.4 g
Description: A copper alloy fragment of a Socketed Spear head of Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The object is sub-triangular in shape, the tip, majority of the blade and part of the socket are missing due to old, abraded breaks. The socketed portion is circular and runs through the length of the object. The blades taper in toward the tip suggesting a leaf shaped form. There are retained casting seams at the base of the blade on each side.



The metal is a dark brown in colour with large areas of green corrosion.



Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Database: WILT-B83B8F, ESS-0DF35D and LEIC-C730A8



Length: 60.97mm, Width: 23.84mm, Thickness: 16.67mm, Weight: 26.40g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2050 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Heighington, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58 mm
Thickness: 9.2 mm
Weight: 89.3 g
Description: Copper alloy developed flat axe of Aylesford type (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981). The axe is dark yellowish brown with an even surface patina except in a few places where green patina is visible. There are a number of shallow grooves on both faces of the blade indicative of use rather than recent damage in the ploughsoil. It measures 58 mm in length but the butt is missing. The break is just behind a median bevelled stop and is patinated consistent with the rest of the axe perhaps suggesting breakage in use. Width at the crescentic cutting edge is 50.5 mm and the axe weighs 89.3 gm with a maximum thickness of 9.2 mm. It has vertically faceted sides worked into slight flanges. No evidence for decoration. It is very similar to an axe from Hutton Cranswick, East Riding, Yorkshire (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p. 61 & Plate 37, 316). The axe fits within Needham's Period 3 (MA IV) 2050-1700 CAL BC (Needham, 1996).



References



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



Schmidt, P. K., & Burgess, C. B. (1981). The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. München: Beck.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shrewton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.12 mm
Thickness: 12.78 mm
Weight: 19.78 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy palstave dating from the Middle to Late Bronze Age c. 1500 - 1150 BC. The fragment is sub-rectangular in shape the butt and a fragment of the flanged sides survive. The axe has anangular butt and the sides gradually widen towards the break. Both sides of the palstave have high developed flanges, which increase gradually from the butt to from sub-triangular sides. The sides are unfinished, as you can still see the ridges from the casting process.



The faces of the axe fragment are slightly concave, creating a H-shaped cross-section. The faces of the axe show signs of wear, such as scratches and the break is even and patinated, suggesting that the object was broken in antiquity. Due to the fragmentary nature of the object, it is difficult to confidently assign a Type.



The fragment measures 27.12mm in length, 25.93mm wide, 12.78mm thick and weighs 19.78 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 164 mm
Thickness: 22.8 mm
Weight: 359.8 g
Description: A complete copper alloy palstave of the Middle Bronze Age Acton Park II period c. 1500-1400 BC. The palstave has a deep flange with upright stop; the butt of the palstave narrows slightly from the septum. Casting lines are visible on either side and there does not appear to be a side loop (unlooped palstave). The blade of the palstave flares gently outwards from the stop and although the blade tips are damaged it does not appear to have had a pronounced crescentic cutting edge. There is a narrow linear indentation on one face of the palstave on the blade below the stop which may be the remains of a shield-shaped indent; this is not repeated on the opposing face and therefore may to the result of of an imperfect mould rather than intentional. The flange is c. 77mm tall at the stop, and the back end of the palstave from the stop measures 65mm in length. The blade is 85.6mm long, 55mm wide and 3.2mm thick at the tip. The whole object is 164mm long. The palstave is suffering from bronze disease on all sufaces.



The lack of a side loop and lack of any ribs suggest it maybe relatively early and is probably of the Acton Park II period, c.1500-1400 BC. It is perhaps similar to example from Cwm Rheidol, Cardiganshire, and Arthog, Merioneth. (Savory (1980:130, figs 19, 20, no. 135 and 138).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Hanningfield, Chelmsford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41.28 mm
Thickness: 7.21 mm
Weight: 19.86 g
Description: A fragment of a Late Bronze age sword, probably dating to the Ewart Park phase (1,000-800BC). Only part of the blade survives, being roughly rectangular in shape with a ridge running down the centre on both sides. The object has a mid-dark green patina. The blade edges are very worn and no longer exist. 



Two similar examples with a lozenge-shaped section are illustrated in Needham & Rohl (1998, 135, fig.37, nos.386-7).



Dimensions: length: 41.28 mm; width: 21.97 mm; thickness: 7.21 mm; weight: 19.86g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Berwick Bassett, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.7 mm
Thickness: 2.75 mm
Weight: 5.19 g
Description: A Middle/Late Bronze Age (1500-800 BC) copper alloy rapier blade fragment. The fragment is lozengiform in cross section with a prominent rib on either side. The breaks are old. The fragment measures 22.7mm in length, 22.05mm wide, 2.75mm thick and weighs 5.19 grams.



Other such fragments have been recorded on the database including WILT-524387
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1000 to 100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Berwick Bassett, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 33.75 mm
Weight: 15.12 g
Description: A copper alloy possible horse harness ring of Bronze Age to Roman date (c. 1000 BC - AD 410). The ring measures 33.75mm in diameter (internal diameter 16.55mm), is 5.95mm thick and weighs 15.12g. It is circular in shape with a defined circumferential ridge running around the centre. The interior surface also features a defined circumferential ridge, creating a lozenge-shaped cross section. 



Similar rings have been discovered in a number of Bronze Age hoards and have been suggested as horse harness fittings, as being part of the handles of a sheet-metal cauldron of Class A1 (Type Tul-na-cross) and Class B1 (Types Llyn Fawr, Ballyshannon and Castlederg) (Gerloff 2010, Pl. 17, 7b; Pl.32, 14a; Pl. 33, 14f-h; Pl. 34, 15d, Pl. 54, 33c and Pl. 66, 37g)., or part of a chain from which a cauldron or other vessel was suspended over a fire. Similar rings have been recorded from the Hindon hoard
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yaxham, Breckland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 45 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 32.66 g
Description: Fragment of Early Bronze Age/ Middle Bronze Age flanged chisel, broken central part only, both ends missing. Oval-sectioned on one side of the stop ridge, flanges on the other side and break across bubble/casting fault. Extant length 45mm. Width 15mm. Thickness 13mm. Weight 32.66g. This dates to the transitional period from the end of the Early Bronze Age and the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age, centering around 1600 - 1400 BC. Extant proportions similar to those on an example from Garveston (SMR-894E92).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to 1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bere Regis, Purbeck, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 83.47 mm
Thickness: 2.95 mm
Description: A fragment of copper alloy tanged knife. The tang has a single rivet hole for the attachment of the missing handle and the edges have been worked to create a slight ridge.The knife has a symmetrical, shallow, pointed oval cross section giving two cutting edges.

Date: Middle Bronze Age c. 1600 - 1000 BC

Dimensions: 83.47 mm x 20.11 mm x 2.95 mm

Weight: 20.54 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Winfrith Newburgh, Purbeck, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.1 mm
Thickness: 7.1 mm
Weight: 4.11 g
Description: A fragment of copper alloy spear or arrowhead. The tip only surviving. There is a central rib between two curving cutting edges. The typology and exact date of this object are uncertain.

Date:Probably Middle to Late Bronze Age - c. 1600 - 800 BC

Diameter: 24.1 mm x 11.4 mm x 7.1 mm

Weight: 4.11 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1000 to -100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Micheldever, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57.48 mm
Thickness: 3.63 mm
Weight: 3.51 g
Description: 
A square-sectioned Bronze Age to Iron Age copper-alloy awl. Both ends are bent.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Amesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 13.71 mm
Thickness: 8.09 mm
Weight: 9.26 g
Description: 
A small worn fragment of a Middle to Late Bronze Age copper-alloy spearhead.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rufford, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 172 mm
Thickness: 26.3 mm
Weight: 112.21 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy Late Bronze Age spearhead (c.900-c.800 BC), missing a fragment from the rim of its socket. The spearhead has a flame-shaped blade with a stepped, bevelled edge cast into the blade. It has two cast peg holes through the centre of its socket which is conical. As the socket tapers, it forms the midrib.



The rim of the socket is broken; an old break, possibly caused by the 'ritual killing' of the spear (a common practice in the Bronze Age). The edge of the blade has suffered some erosion and there is a small dent in the midrib, but otherwise the spearhead is in perfect condition. It has a smooth, shiny, dark green patina. There is no evidence on the object to suggest that spear was used prior to deposition.



The shape of the spearhead fits into Richard Davis' Class 11a (2015) and dates to the period c.1100-c.800 BC. However, this type of spearhead arrived later in Nottinghamshire and is more likely to date to c.900-c.800 BC.
Subsequent action: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aldworth, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.38 mm
Thickness: 8.65 mm
Weight: 10.05 g
Description: The tip of the blade of a Bronze Age copper-alloy spearhead with a pronounced central ridge. Probably dating from the later Middle Bronze Age or the Late Bronze Age, that is c. 1200-800BC. The end of the socket appears at the break and is 7mm deep.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Minster Lovell, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 14.75 mm
Thickness: 3.98 mm
Weight: 3.58 g
Description: A very worn blade fragment, 15mm long by 17mm wide, from a Middle Bronze Age copper-alloy sword, possibly a rapier.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sandon, Chelmsford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.5 mm
Thickness: 10.19 mm
Weight: 16.07 g
Description: A fragment of a Late Bronze Age socketed axehead, dating 1,000-800BC. The blade end is all that remains and is damaged along the edge. A trace of the hollow nature of the object is visible at the break. The metal is a dark brown colour with patches of mid-green patina developing in places. 



Dimensions: length: 29.50 mm; width: 29.61 mm; thickness: 10.19 mm; weight: 16.07g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Found: Pewsey, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.04 mm
Thickness: 5.13 mm
Weight: 5.36 g
Description: A fragment from a Bronze Age socketed axehead dating to c.1000-800 BC. The fragment comprises a section of the rim of the axe, 16.98mm at its widest, 4.22mm at its narrowest. The rim is flat and narrows towards the body of the axe, starting with a maximum thickness of 5.13mm, tapering down to 1.76mm. The fragment is comprised of two ridges, one is much larger than the other. The patina is a dark green throughout.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 5.57 g
Description: Fragment of a cast bronze (copper alloy) socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date (1000 - 750 BC). The fragment comprises part of the blad and part of the socket is visible. The length is 26mm, the width is 14mm thickness 8mm and the weight 5.57g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Portesham, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 139.68 mm
Thickness: 25.35 mm
Weight: 85.67 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy socketed spearhead (1150 - 800BC). This object is in two pieces, found at different times. The spearhead has a leaf-shaped blade remaing on one side and a pronounced hollow mid-rib extending to the broken tip. The remaining edges of the blade are bevelled. The socket is circular. The mouth of the socket is damaged at one side.  There are remnant s of side loops on both sides of the lower part of the socketed end. There is a large irregular hole on side of the lower part of the socketed end.



Date: Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC - 800 BC

Dimensions: 139.68 mmx x 22.04 mm x 25.35 mm. Thickness of wall - 2.29 mm
Weight: 85.67 g



A silmilar spear is recorded in database record DOR-FD69C8.



There is a difference in the surface colour and condition between the two pieces resulting from surface treatment of the lower section by the finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lambourn, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 99.2 mm
Thickness: 14.9 mm
Weight: 183 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy flanged (developed) flat axe of later Early Bronze Age date. The axehead is broadly sub rectangular in plan with a splayed crescentic blade which tapers to a thin edge. Along the length of the axe are raised flanges and between them and nearly central is a very faint stop ridge. The flanges are bevelled both above and below the main body of the axe and may have been hammered. The butt end is narrowed and rounded and also tapers to a thin edge. Copper alloy corrosion is more prevalent on one side of the axe with the opposing surface having almost none; this would be as a result of the depositional environment.



The axe appears to be from the Arreton phase of metalworking (stage V), which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2000 - 1700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton-under-Needwood, East Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 89.51 mm
Thickness: 11.03 mm
Weight: 86.7 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy (bronze) flat axe of Early Bronze Age period, dating from c. 2000-1500 BC.



The flat axe is broadly triangular in plan with a splayed crescent shaped blade. In profile it is broadly lentoid, with slight tapering edges. In cross section the axe is a stunted H shape. The butt is relatively thin and appears to have a rounded top, however this has been heavily damaged; the width at the butt is 14.8 mm (thickness: 4.46 mm). The sides of the axe gently expand in width from the butt to above the blade where the sides splay to form the blade. However, the axe is thickest at the mid point (11.03 mm). The sides of the axe have a raised ridge on the outside edge of the obverse and the reverse, with a concave dip (or septum) in the centre. There also appears to be a stop ridge or proto-stop ridge at the mid point of the axe. The sides of the blade expand to produce a crescentic blade edge with an abraded width of 39.7 mm. The tips of the crescent shaped blade have been damaged through either abrasion or wear, as has the blade edge itself. A distinct blade facet is not present. There is no evidence of any form of incised or cast decoration present on any surface of the axe. Casting 'flaws' or air bubbles are present over most of the surface of the flat axehead. The axe is a mid to dark brown in colour colour, with lighter brown colours on the surface, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.



The axe measures 89.51 mm in length, maximum width at the blade is 39.7 mm, width at the butt is 14.8 mm and it has a maximum thickness of 11.03 mm (Thickness of blade: 4.5 mm, thickness of butt: 4.46 mm). It weighs 86.7 grams.



The axehead is best described as coming from the later phases of the Early Bronze Age and is comparable to Aylesford Type (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, 60 - 61). These are the earliest of the 'developed' flat axes, and have been found along side Migdale type axes, which would suggest a similar date. These axes fit within metalworking stage IV, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2000 - 1700 CAL. BC. This axe is very similar to those identified as Type Aylesford (Burgess and Schmidt: plate 26B, no 310a).



Reference:



Needham, S. (1996) Chronology and Periodisation in the British Bronze Age. Acta Archaeologia, vol 67, pp121-140



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. p.60-61 (also Plate 26B no 310a).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Hoard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1300 to 1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Buriton, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: A Middle Bronze Age (Ornament Horizon) hoard comprising two twisted torcs and two bracelets. Neither the two torcs nor the two bracelets form matching pairs although the pairs are similar in size and form. The hoard includes two torcs of a similar form but with the main difference between them being the number of the ridges formed by twisting (Torc 1 has 43 ridges while Torc 2 has 77 ridges). The two bracelets are significantly different in colour which presumably suggests different alloys. Bracelet 1 is more extensively decorated that Bracelet 2.

The hoard was removed from the ground by the finder who reports that at a depth of two feet one torc was found with one bracelet centred within it. About two inches below this lay the other torc and bracelet similarly positioned.




Torcs

Torc 1. A twisted torc with hooked terminals and with 43 ridges formed by twisting. This torc measures 180mm across and is 10.2mm thick at its widest point. It weighs 143g. Of the two hooked terminals one is now missing (a length of about 25mm), though the break appears fresh, and the other is now detached by a break 67mm along the circumference of the torc.

Torc 2. A twisted torc with holed terminals and with 77 ridges formed by twisting. This torc measures 187mm across and is 11mm thick at its widest point. It weighs 165g. The torc is intact and complete apart from the extreme tip of one of the hooked terminals.




Bracelets

Bracelet 1. An annular bracelet weighing 224g and measuring c.87mm in diameter. The bracelet is c.12mm thick and has a narrow irregular sinuous casting groove around its outer face. This bracelet is heavily decorated with narrow incised lines. On both sides there is a band of herring bone decoration which runs centrally around the circumference. This band is interrupted by three pairs of groups of closely-spaced transverse lines which are confined to 180 degrees of the circle. Between each outer pair is a transverse band of herring bone lines, while between the central pair is a band of lines running at 90 degrees to the transverse lines. The remaining external circumference is filled with groups of closely-spaced diagonal lines which alternate in direction.

The interior face of this bracelet is plain.



Bracelet 2. An annular bracelet weighing 216g and measuring c.84mm in diameter. The bracelet is c.10.2mm thick and has a deep and irregular sinuous casting groove around its inner face and a much narrower irregular groove on its outer face. There is an area of surface loss on one side. The section is less circular than Bracelet 1 and has a flatter inner face. Decoration is confined to a central band of herring bone lines on both sides. This is interrupted at one point only by a transverse band of 17 incised lines.



Discussion: This prehistoric base metal hoard comprises more than one object and therefore should be considered Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996 (as amended in 2002).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: South Milford, Selby, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.1 mm
Thickness: 6.9 mm
Weight: 7.9 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy spearhead dating from the Middle or Late Bronze Age, about 1550 – 800 BC. Only the tip of the spear remains which is triangular in plan and lozenge in section with mid-ribs. The tip of the hollow socket can be seen and is approximately 10.1mm in depth.



An insufficient portion of the spear remains to prove diagnostic, therefore a specific type cannot be attributed, though it is probably comparable with the range of spearheads in Davis Groups 6-11.



The metal gas a mid-green patina and is worn. The spear is 32.1mm long, 15mm wide, 6.9mm thick and weighs 7.9g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yaxham, Breckland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29 mm
Weight: 45.38 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe, with a sharp flaring cutting edge and part of the rectangular socket. Traces of hammer marks on both faces. Irregular, granular but patinated and probably ancient break. Extant length 29mm. Width of cutting edge 53mm. Weight 45.38g. c.1000 - c.701BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2050 to -1750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pendleton, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 80 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight: 1 g
Description: Copper alloy developed flat axe of miniature form or possibly a chisel of early Bronze age date (2050- 1750 BC). The axe is possibly of Type Bandon, Variant Swinton but it is smaller that so far known examples. The object resembles a miniature version of the earliest and simplest solid cast copper alloy axe-heads. The axehead is sub-rectangular in plan with a narrow sub-rounded butt and parallel slightly tapering sides which expand to the cutting edge. The cutting edge is slightly convex (bowed). In profile and cross section the axehead is lentoid. The patina has broken away leaving a red-brown corroded and pitted surface.



Miniature flat axes such as this tends to fit in the chronology at the very end of the early Bronze Age when developed axes are starting out. It is likely that this example is dated to the Early Bronze Age (EBA phase II-III), of metalworking tradition phase IV-V, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2050 - 1700 CAL. BC.



The length is 80mm, the width is 20mm and the thickness 17mm.



The axe is of a diminutive size, if it is a Type Bandon, Variant Swinton and it remains unclear whether the axe had a practical purpose or was votive. It is possible that the 'axe' may have been used for delicate tasks, perhaps similar to a chisel. Axes of this size and form are difficult to parallel, Schmidt & Burgess (1981) catalogue a number of small developed flat axes as Variant Swinton (p 67-8, nos. 375-380) but all examples are between 87mm and 92mm in length. Although this example is smaller it may have been used for a similar function.



Schmidt, P.K., 1981 The Axes of Scotland and Northern England Munich : Prahistorische Bronzefunde Abteilung , 67-68 ,
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Neolithic to BRONZE AGE (-2450 to -2200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: North Willesborough, Ashford, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 110.3 mm
Thickness: 12.2 mm
Weight: 320 g
Description: A Copper Alloy Early Bronze Age flat axehead, dating to 2400-2200BC, of Halberton Type or Nedham type 2D.



The axehead is trapezoidal in shape with the broad butt being at the narrowest end then the blade gradually widens to a flared cutting edge. The axe had a lenticular cross-section with cut off corners and the casting seams have been removed.



The axehead is 110.3mm long, 58.4mm wide, 12.2mm thick and weighs 320 grams.



This axehead appears to be of a broad butt type but with minimal flaring of the blade this likely places it amongst Needham's (2017) type 2d
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mersham, Ashford, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 141.1 mm
Weight: 300 g
Description: A copper alloy Palstave, probably of the Taunton metalwork style dating to the Middle Bronze Age (c.1400 BC - 1250 BC). The object has been broken in to two peices by an old break as has the butt. The palstave is unlooped with narrow flanges fused to the stop ridge. The width at the butt is 19.2mm. The flanges start to rise gradually from the butt and a parallel in height to the septum. The stop ridge is plain and no decoration on the blade. The blade widens in width forming triangular tips. The blade is broken by an old break before the cresentric cutting edge; it is 48.7mm wide at its widest point. The surface is worn and pitted, revealing small patches of a smooth dark green patina, particularly on the blade. Together the two parts of the palstave together measure 141.19mm long and weighs 300 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Ilsley, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.61 mm
Thickness: 3.27 mm
Weight: 7.26 g
Description: 
A large part of a Late Bronze Age copper-alloy tanged knife. The point of the knife and a large part of the blade are missing and the blade has been bent at the break. The blade flares sharply outwards where it joins the tang which has a single rivet hole. The tang retains casting seams.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Iden, Rother, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48.12 mm
Thickness: 1.65 mm
Description: A complete cast copper-alloy middle Bronze Age c.1400-1150BC Quoit headed pin. The pin consists of a large ovoid head, which is slightly pointed where the shank of the pin begins, the shank only remains as a stub which is fairly heavily bent. The band of the ring and the shank are flat and have very fine incised decoration along the edges. The pin is mottled various shades of green in some places but is dominated by a dull grey-brown colour, except along the shank y where it has relatively recently broken where it is light copper.



Measurements: 53.01mm wide, 48.12mm long, 13.89mm thick (due to the shank being bent upwards), band 1.65mm thick and 4.98g.
Notes: These pins are thought to be continental imports and are relatively rare finds,



Similar examples on thePAS database @:NLM-15CFB4 and the example in Wylye hoard WILT-038191 



A complete similar example is seen from :Kingsmead Quarry, Horton, Berkshire. Excavated by Wessex Archaeology
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1050 to -950)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eccleshall, Stafford, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 134.8 mm
Thickness: 28.3 mm
Weight: 327.9 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy (bronze) palstave axe with side loop of the Bronze Age period, dating from c. BC 1050 - c. BC 950.



The blade of the palstave is sub-oval or tongue shaped in plan. The cutting edge measures 34 mm in width and is 6.7 mm thick. The blade is blunt and has been heavily damaged, no cutting edge is visible. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the widest section being before the stop ridge. The object measures 27.4 mm in width and 28.4 mm thick at the stop ridge. Below the stop ridge the axe has been decorated with two diagonal raised ridges or ribs, forming a triangle, with a vertical ridge in between, on one face of the object. The opposite face, shows evidence of similar decoration below the stop ridge and evidence of a raised mid rib in the centre of the axe.



The rear part of the axe (from the stop ridge to the butt) is broadly rectangular in plan and broadly triangular in profile, in section it appears as a squashed (or stunted) H shape. The butt of the axe has been damaged and is incomplete. The butt end measures 24.3 mm in width and is 5.9 mm thick. The septum (the area between the flange facets and the stop ridge) is a broad U shape and measures 61.9 mm in length. The septum is 5.8 mm deep at the stop ridge and the sides have a depth of 3.7 mm. The flanges may have been misscast or more likely have been lost due to abrasion. The remaining edge is rough and undulating. The side loop measures 27.8 mm in length externally and is 8.6 mm in length internally. It is oval in plan and the arms are broadly circular in section.The loop is situated with one arm level with the stop ridge and the other below. There are no visible casting seems.



The object measures 134.8 mm in length, is 34.4 mm wide.It has a maximum thickness of 28.3 mm and weighs 327.9 g.



The object is a mid brown to green in colour and has an uneven patina. There is evidence of bright green copper corrosion on the surface of the axehead.On the front of the object, on the right are traces of the original gold coloured patina. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail.



This object is similar to the Type Nettleham axeheads illustrated in Scmidt and Burgess, (1981), plate 67, no 930, which fits with Wilburton and Penard assemblages of the Middle and Late Bronze Age and fits with Needham Period 5-6 Metalworking Assemblage X, dating it to the period BC 1050 - BC 950. Marking a transition between palstaves and socketed axeheads. Other examples have been recorded on the database including LVPL-AB829B.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Moulsford, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.29 mm
Thickness: 3.82 mm
Weight: 9.23 g
Description: 
A worn fragment of a Bronze Age copper-alloy probable sword blade. The fragment appears to be tapering towards the tip of the sword.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tacolneston, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 110.5 mm
Thickness: 1.7 mm
Description: Late Middle Bronze Age or Late Bronze Age tanged knife in two fragments with much of the upper parts of the cutting edges missing. The larger piece was found in September 2011 and details were entered into the HER. The tip, recovered in March 2016, was recorded as part of Middle Bronze Age rapier. In October 2016 the finder of both demonstrated that the two were parts of the same object. The object is quite closely paralleled by examples from the Norwich Eaton I hoard (Norwich Castle Museum 1977, 33-4, fig. 70) and the Bath Monkswood hoard (Inventaria Archaeologica (1959) GB 42, nos. 20-1). Extant length and width 110.5 and 22mm. Thickness 1.7mm. Weight of tip only 5.32g. c.1100 - c.700 BC.



Field T3
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Waltham St. Lawrence, Windsor and Maidenhead, Windsor and Maidenhead (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 15.81 mm
Thickness: 5.93 mm
Weight: 8.27 g
Description: 
A very eroded fragment of the blade of a copper-alloy sword of Bronze Age date. The blade edges are missing.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2500 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Moulsford, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.8 mm
Thickness: 19.03 mm
Weight: 6.15 g
Description: 
A Bronze Age to Roman copper-alloy casting well with a narrow central runner. The runner is circular in section.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cookham, Windsor and Maidenhead, Windsor and Maidenhead (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56.4 mm
Thickness: 30.78 mm
Weight: 2.2 g
Description: A fragment of a plano-convex sub-circular copper-alloy bun ingot of Bronze Age date. The ingot weighs 2.2g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bracon Ash, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 8.27 g
Description: Incomplete Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed chisel, the crescentic cutting edge and the distal end of the socket (depth 6mm) with an ancient break. The cutting edge is far from blunt but the surfaces are rough, with little surviving patination. Blue patches are probably azurite. Extant length, width and thickness 23, 26.6 and 9mm. Weight 8.27g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.



Field JG1
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Blewbury, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 10.4 mm
Thickness: 4.52 mm
Weight: 4.8 g
Description: 
A blade tip fragment from a Bronze Age axe of diminutive size. The blade section is sharp with no clear evidence of use and has a gentle curve and flare to the edges. The remnant suggests a taper to the form and the depth of this fragment may indicate a flanged or socketed form of mid to late BA.



The surface is eroded and pitted with a dark green patina.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Blewbury, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56.55 mm
Weight: 3 g
Description: 
A copper-alloy awl, probably Mid to Late Bronze Age in date. It consists of a simple rod which tapers from a wider 'chisel or flat' ended section, to the narrowest pointed end. Logically, the chisel end might perhaps have been inserted into a handle for a more 'twist-proof' attachment.



The awl has a mottled green patina with some ferrous staining.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Heydour, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 134 mm
Height: 56 mm
Weight: 305 g
Description: Early to Middle Bronze Age bronze Group I, Primary Shield Pattern palstave of Acton Park Metalworking Industry and of Needham's (1996) Periods 4-5, c. 1600 - 1400BC. The axe is incomplete, but is still in a reasonably good condition, with a light brownish patina covering most of its surfaces, interspersed with areas covered by a patchy green corrosion product.



The butt is rectangular in plan and incomplete at the terminal. In section the butt has wide flanges on both sides, and a pronounced stop-ridge. Below the stop on the blade is a shallow, ribbed, shield-shaped depression, characteristic of the palstave type. The blade is incomplete, with a large portion of the blade-edge missing. 





Length: 134mm



Height at blade: 56mm



Height at haft: 23mm



Width: 32mm



Weight: 305 grams
Notes: 
Record created from images supplied by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1900 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eccleshall, Stafford, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.3 mm
Thickness: 9.2 mm
Weight: 51.8 g
Description: A fragment of a copper-alloy axehead, Palstave or Flanged Type, of the Middle Bronze Age period, dating from c. BC 1900 - BC 1100.



Only the tip of the blade and a small portion of the body of the axehead survive. No traces of a socket remain in the break of the axe, indicating that it is probably not a socketed axe from the later Bronze Age. The object is broadly D shaped in plan and rectangular in section. The blade is flares out from the sides of the object and is crescent shaped at the base. The sides of the object taper out to form a wide V shape. These both perhaps suggest that the axehead is either a flanged or palstave type. The cutting edge is highly abraded, and there is no evidence of a blade facet. The break is heavily patinated which would suggest that it is an ancient one and not the result of recent plough damage.



The incomplete axehead measures 29.3 mm long, 52.4 mm wide at the blade, and 37.7 mm wide at the broken end It has a thickness of 3.01 mm at the blade and is 9.2 mm thick at the broken end. It weighs 51.8 grams.



The object is a dark green in colour with an uneven patina. There are areas of lighter green corrosion, however it appears that the corrosion is stable. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. Other examples of fragments of this kind have been recorded on the database, including WMID-CAEA06, WMID-824953 and HESH-66F770.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1275 to -1140)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Thorney, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20 mm
Thickness: 1.2 mm
Weight: 1.79 g
Description: An incomplete Bronze Age copper alloy barbed-and-tanged arrowhead or razer, dating circa 1275-1140 BC.



Other than the tang, the original perimeter of the arrowhead is heavily abraded or entirely missing. The present perimeter does, however, indicate that the sides were gently curved towards the tip, rather than being straight. A v-shaped notch separates the wings from the tang. The tang is rectangular in section, and measures 4mm x 1mm. A shallow midrib is visible on one side only. The midrib extends from the tang, being of the same width, and gently tapers towards the tip. The surface of the arrowhead is mid-brown and pitted, with patches of dark brown patina.



Length: 20mm, Width: 16mm, Thickness: 1.2mm, Weight: 1.79g.



There is only one bronze arrowhead from a secure Bronze Age context in Britain and that was in the Penard hoard, first reported in Archaeologica 71, page 138. The Penard arrowhead also has a mid rib. At the time of its discovery it was a unique find in Britain and was presumed to be an import as there are numerous finds of bronze arrowheads recorded from Northern France.



However, thanks to an increase in the number of reported metal detected finds, Bronze Age bronze arrowheads are now growing in number, though they remain a rare group of artefact. Dr Colin Pendleton reports that Suffolk has 17 known examples, of which 5 can be termed barbed and tanged. Norfolk has at least 4 recorded and more examples are being added to the database from around the country. This suggests that bronze arrowheads were also a British tradition.



Though the barbed and tanged form was used in flint from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Bronze Age, the evidence from Penard, which dates from 1275-1140 BC, suggests that copper alloy arrowheads did not come into fashion until later in the Middle Bronze Age. Therefore this is the suggested date range for this arrowhead.



A similar arrowhead albeit with a mid rib rather than a mid ridge is WILT-6B6CD4. Also ESS-A41D75 is similar but only has a mid ridge on one side.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tudweiliog, Gwynedd, Gwynedd (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 328 mm
Thickness: 1.6 mm
Weight: 94.3 g
Description: Middle to Late Bronze Age bronze rapier of Group IV and possibly of Type Appleby, variant Lakenheath (as defined by Burgess & Gerloff 1981, p. 74-6) but possibly with a reworked butt and of Penard metalworking Industry

The rapier is near-complete, with some damage to the shoulders and butt (with an overall length of 328mm and a weight of 94.3g). The butt end is arched and rounded (with a width of 20.3mm and a thickness of 1.6mm) with two side notches to accommodate rivets beneath (with a depth of 3.5mm and 2.8mm, giving a minimum width of 14.3mm at 10mm beneath the top of the butt). The shoulders are weak and poorly defined, with the butt widening very gradually and linearly to the shoulders (to reach a maximum width of 24.0mm, 27mm beneath the top of the butt, where the blade has a thickness of 4.1mm). The blade has a gentle curve beneath the shoulders to narrow slightly (to a width of 20mm). Below which, the blade is moderately straight and gradually convergent to the before narrowing more sharply at the tip. The blade has a flattened central section (8mm wide at the butt) which gradually narrows to a ridge at the tip. The blade edge is largely preserved and does not appear to have any contemporary nicks or blade edge damage. The upper half of the edge appears slightly wasted, possibly through use or sharpening. There are no sharpening striations now evident on the edge. The surface has a brown to black patina with some sandy encrustation, mostly on the lower half.



The blade profile would suggest a Group IV blade, the reduced butt may suggest Type Appleby and the rounded butt and rivet notches, would further refine the type to Variant Lakenheath, although illustrated examples with notches by Burgess and Gerloff (ibid.) are reworked. The poor definition of the shoulders together with the flat mid-section continuing above the notches may also indicate that the butt has been reworked. Very few Group IV rapiers had been recorded from Wales (from the 1981) study but a Type Appleby rapier was recovered from the Maentwrog Hoard (Gwynedd) with two other Group IV rapiers (Type Cutts, Variant Hampton Court and a blade with notched butt) and a basal looped spearhead. Burgess and Gerloff (1981, p 106) note that Group IV blades (without 'archaic' butts do not tend to be associated with Taunton metalwork and appear to start in Early Penard and Wallington, suggesting a date of c. 1300 - 1100BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder