dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Scabbard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hatfield Broad Oak, Uttlesford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 69.89 mm
Weight: 33.69 g
Description: Fragment of a late Bronze Age 'tongue' shaped scabbard chape. The surviving section is an elongated trapezoid in plan and it has a  narrow hexagonal cross section.There is damage to both ends. There is a pronounced central rib running along the front and back face. It has a mid-green patina.The artefact is damaged, with recent damage seen on one face in the form of several dents revealing the copper colour below the patina.It is 69.89mm long, 27.40mm wide tapering to 17.69mm, and it is 10.27mm thick tapering to 9.63mm. The walls are 1.35mm thick. It weighs 33.69 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, Gwynedd (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 142.32 mm
Thickness: 9.11 mm
Weight: 42 g
Description: Copper alloy spearhead in two pieces. It is solid for 70mm from the tip, beyond that the object is hollow. The socket is lozenge shaped. The blade does not have a prominent mid-rib but is a smooth narrow lozenge in section. The narrowness of the form suggests this maybe the tip of a lunate-opening spearhead the date of this piece is therefore likely to be about 1000 cal BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sutton Cheney, Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 172 mm
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 82.38 g
Description: Middle-Bronze age copper alloy spear-head, 172mm long and 31mm at the widest point of the blade. The blade has a 2mm wide point and is sub triangular in form, having long tapering edges which terminate in a shallow curve. It has a thin mid rib which widens to a 14mm diameter at the start of the shaft, terminating at 20mm at its base, some of which is missing. The shaft holds two lozingiform rectangular sectioned loops, 13mm long which sit very close to the surface. The object is in fair condition, with some corrosion and is missing parts of its original surface.
Notes: Very similar to NMGW-A67EA6 and BERK-2D0061.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -1050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Titsey, Tandridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.42 mm
Thickness: 5.3 mm
Weight: 11.9 g
Description: A fragment of an early-middle Bronze Age, cast, copper alloy - bronze, axe head or palstave. Broken, small, rounded, rectangular or elongate 'D' shape butt fragment with wedge shaped section tapering to the rounded 'D' shaped end. Green and pale brown coloured, slightly pitted and corroded surface with some spots of arrested bronze disease. This fragment is likely to date to 2500-1050BC. Ref. History Beneath Our Feet, Brian Read, Anglia Publishing 1995, page 1-2, Detector Finds 5, Gordon Bailey, Greenlight Publishing 2002, page 54-58 fig. 2 and Bronze Age Metal Work in Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich Museum Service 1977, second Edition 1997, page 19-23 fig. 2, 5, 13-16. The fragment is 22.42mm long, 22.38mm wide, 5.3mm thick and weighs 11.9g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cookham, Windsor and Maidenhead, Windsor and Maidenhead (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 104.24 mm
Weight: 128 g
Description: A complete Middle Bronze Age palstave. The axe displays hammering on its blade and has a shield-shaped hollow below its stop ridge.


The axe measures 104.24mm long and is 21.27mm wide. The blade is narrow and measures 25.44mm across. The distance from the apex to the inside of the stop is 41.87 and the maximum width of the septum is 6.16mm. The upper inside edges of the socket exhibit signs of polish caused by wear. The  flashing on the long edges are trimmed and hammered flat. The apex is notched.
Notes: Peter Reavill comments:











This is an example of an unlooped primary shield pattern palstave - Early Palstaves Group I  (after Schmidt and Burgess), probably best paralled against examples in  Schmidt and Burgess, cat no - 777-779. These are described as having  shallow depressions below the stop ridge sometimes augmented with a  raised moulding (unlke this example). This would sit comfortably in the first stages of Needham's Period 5,  1500-1150 CAL BC, I would have thought more around 1500-1300 BC)  Corresponding with Burgess' Metalworking Period VII- VIII, MBA I. For  something similar see HESH-D98157.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chesterton, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31.25 mm
Thickness: 4.06 mm
Weight: 2.8 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy Bronze Age spear head. The fragment consists of only the very tip of the spearhead - it has a narrrow and slender tip with a pronounced midrib. The midrib is sub-triangular in section and is flanked by wide tapering wings that join at the tip. The tip is pointed and still very sharp. The slenderness of the spear-tip suggests a long narrow spear head, although as only the very tip survives it is not possible to identify the exact form or class of spear head. Because of this, only a wide date ranging from the Middle to Late Bronze Age can be offered (c. 1500-800 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2300 to -2050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Willingdon and Jevington, Wealden, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.9 mm
Thickness: 8.03 mm
Weight: 37.99 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy narrow butted flat axe, dating to the Early Bronze Age (MAIII, c. 2300-2050 BC). The remains of the axe consists of a slightly flared blade and a small portion of the narrowing body. The butt and a portion of the axe body are missing and the remains exhibit an old break across its rectangular-shaped section. It measures 37.9 mm max. length; 37.8 mm max. blade width; 7.96 mm thick at broken end; 1.8 mm thick at blade edge; weighs 37.99 grams. These types of axes are discussed in Roberts 2008, 74-5. Cf. database record: LANCUM-95EBB6.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Scotter, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.48 mm
Thickness: 5.37 mm
Weight: 114.2 g
Description: A cast bronze socketed axehead, of a Late Bronze Age date c. 1150-800 BC, which has been heavily damaged in antiquity. The axehead is 51.48mm in length from damaged blade end to mouth with a body width of 16.72mm and weighs 114.2g. The thickness of the body is 5.37mm. There is a single mouth opening, sub-rectangular in shape with an external width of 37.53mm and an internal width of 28.06mm. The width of the damaged body/blade end is 30.25mm. The loop is 21.49mm in length, 7.79mm in width and is 12.14mm from the mouth. 

The axehead has a green-brown patina and is substantially damaged at the mouth, moulding, and body, with signs of active bronze disease. This damage is particularly heavy along the blade, with the cutting edge completely missing. There is a vertical scratch, probably done in antiquity, down the centre of the face 25.55mm in length. This extends from the moulding to the damaged area of the body/blade. This damage is a substantial irregular rectangle shape, which also appears to have been done in antiquity. The casting seam is visible on both sides of the body, extending from the mouth and terminating at the damaged end of the blade. There is a crack extending from the seam at the damaged point of the blade on the opposite side from the loop. 

The axehead is probably of a South Eastern plain type.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1250 to -100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hampstead Norreys, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.66 mm
Thickness: 13.4 mm
Weight: 29.5 g
Description: A cast copper alloy 'moustache' shaped object of uncertain use. The object is three-dimensional and consists of a pair of drooping ovoid elements with pointed tips, hence 'moustache' shaped. These ovoids are decorated with multiple grooves running down the body of each ovoid but stopping before the tip. In the centre of the two drooping ovoids is a recessed band running around the waist of the object. On the underside is a rectangular hole; it appears that this hole may have continued through and perforated the top but this has been filled at some point with a small amount of copper alloy. 


The use and date of these objects remains enigmatic. A number of these have now been recovered and several are recorded on the PAS database, including WMID-CA9D04, BH-037A57 and SF-520513. There is some variation in these objects, some have very pronounced but slimmer ovoids with long tips, others are short and squat. One example was found in the Salisbury Hoard (Stead, 1998, no.117), and as such they are thought to date from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age. Dr JD Hill at the British Museum suggests that they are Iron Age, but without stratified examples this is unconfirmed. It is possible that these objects may have been dagger fittings, with the hole a rest for the tang, but again without any evidence this is speculation. Middle Bronze Age (c. 1250BC) to Late Iron Age (c. 100BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whittington, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 95.8 mm
Thickness: 31.6 mm
Weight: 204.4 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy late Bronze Age socketed Axehead. The axehead is complete but suffers from severe pitting from copper corrosion. The socket is sub-square in shape and measures approximately 24.4 mm by 24.4 mm. The body of the axehead is rectangular in plan, flaring at the blade. It is triangular in profile, tapering from 31.6 mm wide at the socketed end to 1.4 mm at the tip of the blade. A slight collar is visible just prior to the socket. One side has a semi-circular attachment loop and a casting flash is visible on this side also. The casting flash is more pronounced on the opposite side. The edges of the blade, originally crescent shaped, are now slightly damaged, and these areas have been polished smooth by a sharp striking action. The lack of the green patina on these areas indicates that this has occurred relatively recently, probably during ploughing. The axehead measures 95.8 mm long and weighs 204.4 grams.  It is 48.1 mm wide across the blade. It dates from between around 1000 to 800 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Isley cum Langley, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 66 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight: 79.86 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy axe blade, 66mm long, 27mm wide and 14mm thick. The object is in poor condition and weighs 79.86 grams. It consists of the rounded tip of an axe. The break is extremely worn, suggesting it occured in antiquity. The blade and the surface are also worn and in parts, missing. The shape of the blade suggests it may be a socketed axe head.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Button (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-900 to 43)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Claverley, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 20.64 mm
Thickness: 3.6 mm
Weight: 3.8 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy button of almost certain prehistoric date. There is a possibility that the button may be as early as late Bronze Age, although an Iron Age date is also possible. The button is discoudal and has decoration on the front consisting of a cast central circular boss within concentric grooves and a downward canted rim. Two lugs remain as part of a broken attachment loop on the reverse, and there is a very slight depression between these lugs. The button measures 20.64 mm in diameter, 3.6 mm thick and weighs 3.8 grams. It has some damage to its edges and suffers from some wear. It has a dark green patina with a paler green visible in the areas of damage. A similar example can be seen illustrated in Read's 'Metal Buttons' (2005, page; number 2).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1275)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , , Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 90.87 mm
Thickness: 12.66 mm
Weight: 92.7 g
Description: A complete middle Bronze Age cast copper alloy palstave, dating circa 1500-1150 AD. The object is a shallow trapezoid in plan, expanding out towards the cutting edge. There is a pronounced stop ridge and shallow flanges. The cutting edge is rounded and shows signs of wear. There is corrosion present on the surface. It is 90.87mm long, 26.70mm wide, 12.66mm thick and weighs 92.7 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dutton, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.75 mm
Thickness: 6.37 mm
Weight: 15 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy probable palstave fragment or possible tanged chisel, of probable Bronze Age dating (1200 BC to 800 BC).


It measures 29.75mm long, 21.09mm wide and 6.37 mm thick. It weighs 15.0 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: ORMSKIRK, West Lancashire, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.87 mm
Thickness: 10.2 mm
Weight: 73 g
Description: An incomplete blade fragment, probably from a cast copper alloy palstave, of Middle Bronze Age dating (1000 BC to 800 BC). It is likely to be from the Acton Park II industry.


It measures 43.87mm long, 46.37mm wide and 10.20mm thick. It weighs 73.0 grams.
Notes: 
Find was photographed and recorded whilst at a club meeting. Thanks are extended to Peter Reavill (FLO - Herefordshire & Shropshire) for helping in confirming the identification of this find.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (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: 26.4 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 3.67 g
Description: A tip of a copper alloy Middle Bronze Age (1500-1150 BC) rapier, dagger or dirk trapezoidal in plan with a lozengiform cross section. Highly worn and abraided.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 45 mm
Weight: 7 g
Description: 
Copper alloy blade fragment of Bronze age date. Probably sword tip. The blade has a rounded tip and is pointed oval in section, with a worn central rib. The blade has broken at the upper end and is slightly bent. The edges are damaged.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2300 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brompton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.33 mm
Thickness: 10.73 mm
Weight: 32.1 g
Description: Blade fragment of a Bronze Age axe, c.2300 BC- 800 BC.


The blade edge is curved, and appears complete. It has broken before the shaft, having a rectangular cross-section at the broken edge where it is thickening. The axe has a dark brown patina which is slightly patchy due to corrosion.


As so little remains it is not possible to pin it down to a certain type of axe, or a more specific period within the Bronze Age.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brompton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 108.72 mm
Description: Cast bronze Palstave axe, dating to the Penard/Wilburton phases, c. 1300- 1000 BC.



It is mostly complete but the blade is slightly broken and the handle has broken and is missing just the very end, and the butt. It has a single small side-loop, which measures 22.96mm in length.



The blade has uneven edges, and is corroded, with pitting on the surface, it appears to be missing the cutting edge. The blade is quite small (40.38mm wide), and then narrows to a rectangular section leading to the handle. It is plain and has no ribbing or hollows. The septum on both sides of the handle is quite deep, with a curved end where it meets the blade. The flanges are pronounced, and lozenge shaped when viewed from the side. The side with the loop is the most complete, and it seems only a small part is missing as the flanges have narrowed together.



Overall the axe has a brown patina, with some pitting and small patches of green corrosion.



It weighs more than 200g so my scales could not measure it.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Woolaston, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.3 mm
Weight: 10.4 g
Description: Bronze blade tip, probably from a dirk or rapier of uncertain type and probably of Middle to Late Bronze Age date, c. 1500 - 900BC.


The dirk is fragmentary and is represented by the tip only (with a surviving length of 53.3mm and a weight of 10.4g). The blade is of lozenge section at the break (where it has a width of 17.2mm and a thickness of 3.6mm) and there is the suggestion of a central rib on one face. One of the blade edges is straight and the other is convex, probably as a result of erosion or wear. There is slight distortion along the length of the fragment. The surface of the blade is heavily-pitted with a dark green patina.


The blade would appear to be a little too substantial for a dagger, while being too slight for a sword.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (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: 31.73 mm
Thickness: 13.75 mm
Weight: 26.2 g
Description: Butt end fragment of a Middle Bronze Age palstave axehead, c. 1500-1150 BC.
Notes: 
No further information or image available

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llantwit Major, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 77.2 mm
Weight: 50.5 g
Description: Late Bronze Age socketed gouge, probably of Ewart Park metalworking, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 7, and dated to c. 950 - 750BC


The socketed gouge is near-complete, with some peripheral damage around the mouth and blade (with a surviving length of 77.2mm and a weight of 50.5g). The mouth is circular (with a diameter of 20.5mm) with no mouth mouldings. The gouge flares outwards slightly to the mouth (with a diameter beneath the mouth of 18mm). Beneath the flaring mouth, the sides of the gouge are straight and slightly convergent (producing a blade width of 15.4mm). The casting seams are evident on both sides and have been carefully finished, probably by hammering. The blade comprises a shallow U-shaped depression (beginning 43mm from the current blade edge), which is filled with prominent striations running along the channel from top to bottom. The striations are unlikely to be purely from sharpening and possibly are partly decorative. The blade edge has been lost but does not appear to be expanded. There is a groove running diagonally from the mouth to the side of the blade, which has appears to have some patination internally, suggesting that it may be damage from antiquity or a possibly a flaw in the mould. The surface has a dark green patina where it survives and elsewhere is pale green. The colour of the patina has been altered by a recent oily coating by the finder.


Savory (1980, p 55)suggests that the earliest socketed gouges such as  those that occur in the Guilsfield hoard have multiple mouth mouldings,  whereas later gouges tend to have a broad flat collar.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Preston Capes, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 92 mm
Diameter: 17 mm
Weight: 49.75 g
Description: A copper alloy socketed gouge dating to the Late Bronze Age betweem c. 1150 and c. 800 BC.


The gouge has a hollow socket, circular in section, which narrows to form a flaring and curved blade edge. The gouge is in good condition with an even green patina.


The socketed end is 17mm in diameter. The gouge is 92mm long, and the flared blade end is 14mm wide.


Two similar examples are illustrated in Watson, P, 1993, 'Catalogue of British and European Prehistoric Metalwork in Birmingham City Museums', BAR British Series 233.


According to Pearce, S, M in the 1983 publication 'The Bronze Age Metalwork of South Western Britain Part I', page 43, socketed gouges 'appear to have begun in the Wilburton phase, and continued as part of the tool repertoire until the end of the Bronze Age', although most socketed gouges can be dated to the Ewart phase between c. 1000 - c. 800 BC. Ben Roberts of the British Museum has kindly lokoed at his gouge and agrees with the function and date of the object.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sheering, Epping Forest, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 17.23 mm
Thickness: 7.93 mm
Weight: 5.23 g
Description: Possible fragment of a late Bronze Age socketed axe; the fragment is probably from the blade end of the axe. The fragment is sub-triangular in plan and cross section. It has one curved edge (cutting edge) with a worn break across the other two sides. It has a dark green-brown patina.It is 17.23mm long, 24.77mm wide, 7.93mm thick and weighs 5.23 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19.1 mm
Weight: 21.5 g
Description: Late Bronze Age socketed axe of uncertain type and probably of Ewart Park metalworking industry dated to 950 - 750BC (Nedham 1996) .

The axe is fragmentary, represented by the blade end only (with a surviving length of 19.1mm and a weight of 21.5g).  The axe is of sub-rectangular section at the break and is worn and eroded (with a width of 37.6mm and a thickness of 9.8mm). The base of the socket is evident at the break (22mm long, 2.6mm wide and 3mm deep). One face of the axe was thicker than the other (4.0mm compared to 2.5mm). Little of the sides survive and no casting seams are now discernible. The blade edge has been lost but was curved (with a surviving width of 36.7mm). The original surface of the axe has largely been lost and the current surface is pale green and powdery, with active bronze corrosion. Small patches dark green patina survives on the faces.


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 Ewart Park phase.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Peatling Magna, Harborough, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 45 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: 110.5 g
Description: Early to Mid Bronze age copper alloy axe blade, 45mm long, 57mm wide and 15mm thick. The object is in fair condition and weighs 110.5 grams. The object is solid, rectangular in section and form. It is 27mm wide and 15mm thick at its broken end. It then widens and flattens into a shallow curved blade, which is 57mm wide and 6mm thick. The object may be the blade from a flat axe or a palstave?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-1500 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aldbourne, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 26.9 mm
Weight: 15.6 g
Description: Bronze fragment, possibly a fragment of a bladed implement of Bronze Age date, dated to c. 1500BC - 750BC


The fragment is broken at both ends and also has peripheral damage (with a surviving length of 26.9mm, a surviving maximum width of 26.8mm and a weight of 15.6g). The object has a prominent rounded midrib, which narrows at the narrower end. Although there is damage and erosion to both sides, there is the suggestion that the object was originally wider one end and is also thicker on the narrowest side (with a maximum thickness of 7.7mm and thickness on the opposite end of 7.2mm). There is a suggestion of slight curvature on the fragment, possibly indicating the implement was bent prior to breaking. The fragment has a pale green surface patina with blackened areas, indicating burning.


The small fragmentary nature of the artefact makes any identification   speculative, but the shape and form are consistent with a shoulder to   hilt fragment from a Late Bronze Age sword. It is possible that the   peripheral damage to one side may have incorporated a rivet hole.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-1150 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 270 mm
Weight: 32.7 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy cup-headed pin


The pin is complete (with a distorted length of 237mm, a straightened length of approximately 270mm and a weight of 32.7g). The head has a slightly oval mouth (13.4mm - 14.3mm external diameter, 12mm internal diameter and 3mm deep). The sides of the cup-head are straight and parallel before curving sharply to the shaft. The interior of the cup-head contains no discernible decoration and is filled with corrosion. The pin shaft is of circular section and has a prominent swelling beneath the head (positioned 20mm beneath the head and producing a maximum diameter of 7.8mm). Beneath the swelling, there appears to be a slight rounded lug on one side of the shaft (8mm long, 2mm thick and 2mm high). The shaft gradually thins to the comparatively wide tip. No applied decoration is evident on the pin. The surface is mostly encrusted with sand and shell, and elsewhere has a grey brown surface.


The pin has been problematic to date due to the lack of cultural affinities, however, Eogan (1974, p 98-101)  has stated that Cup-headed pins are   characteristic of Late Bronze Age Ireland. The size of the head of this   example, may be seen as comparatively small, where Irish examples vary   from 16-27mm (ibid) but the length of the shaft is comparatively   massive. Cup-headed pins have a sparse distribution in Britain with only   three recorded examples by O'Connor (1980, p 560) , with the Swansea   pin representing the furthest west example recovered in mainland   Britain. An example of a cup-headed in the Heathery Burn Cave hoard   provides a Ewart Park association for the artefact type in Britain,   dated by Needham (1996) to Period 7, c. 950-750BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-250 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Middleton, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20.75 mm
Thickness: 8.74 mm
Weight: 8.7 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy blade, probably Bronze Age in date The object is sub rectangular in plan and sub triangular in section. The right hand side of the object is where the blade edge would have been, but it has been worn away. There is also evidence of corrosion on the bottom. The metal is a combination of green and dark brown patches. It weighs 8.7g and measure 20.75mm in length and 17.66mm in width.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1600 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bishops Waltham, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 44.25 mm
Thickness: 17.5 mm
Weight: 24.09 g
Description: A very corroded lower fragment from a Middle Bronze Age socketed spear head with side loops. The blade is missing and there is a considerable loss from the socket end. The side loops are large, elongated semicircles, broken at their tops and only perforated towards their bases, the holes within longer recesses. One hole has broken through the side. As implied, the break to the spear occurs towards the tops of the side loops and in a ragged fashion across the shaft, before the blade would have begun. The spear has an oval cross-section. At the base it measures 12.8 by 9.9mm internally; it tapers to 10.5 by 7.9mm at the break. Where it survives the spear has a dark-orange/brown patina, but it is pitted all over with patches of green intense corrosion product.
Notes: Side-looped spearheads are Greenwell and Brewis' Class IV and date to the early Middle Bronze Age. They are likely to belong to the Acton Park 2, Taunton (Cemmaes) or Penard metalwork assemblages, corresponding to Needham's (1997) Period 5, c. 1500-1150 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eardisley, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 133.4 mm
Weight: 343.2 g
Description: Middle Bronze Age bronze unlooped palstave of Group III, Low-flanged (Broad-blade) form and of Type Wantage (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 133-4) , corresponding to the Taunton metalworking assemblage and of Needham's (1996) Period 5, dated to 1500 - 1150BC.



The palstave is incomplete and is fragmentary, missing the butt and broken near the stop (with a surviving length of 133.4mm and a weight of 343.2g). The palstave has broken before the butt (where it has a width of 21.9mm, a thickness at the septum of 6.5mm and a flange height of 13.1mm). The septum has a U-shaped profile before the rounded stop. The flanges (with a maximum height of 27.7mm) are not as deep as the stop height (at 30.6mm high) but may have suffered some damage. The tops of the flanges have a fairly linear convergence towards the butt. The sides of the palstave are straight as far as the blade, before gradually widening to the damaged blade tips. The casting flashes are evident on both sides and have been finished, probably by hammering but remain prominent, particularly along the sides of the blade. There are unusual mouldings running across both sides, corresponding with the position of the stops. The maximum blade thickness (at 22mm) is less than the stop height, defining a bar ledge stop. The flanges do not continue as ribs along the edges of the blade faces. The original blade edge and the tips have been lost (producing a surviving blade width of 55.0mm) and the blade edge has a moderate curve. A blade facet is discernible on both faces (up to 10mm from the damaged blade edge). The blade face is decorated with a sunken shield pattern and a midrib; the midrib does not continue into the shield as seen on the three-pronged trident' decoration. Angled striations running off the blade edge may be the result of sharpening. The palstave surface has a dark green patina where it survives and elsewhere is pitted and pale green. Occasional air bubbles are evident on the surface and are frequent through the break, demonstrating casting problems and resulting in weaknesses.



Schmidt & Burgess (1981, p 134) note that unlooped broad blade palstaves are rarely found in Wales and the Marches but enough with trident decoration are know from the Marches and North Wales to suggest that the area may have been a source for Type Wantage palstaves.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2050 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dorstone, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.5 mm
Weight: 22.4 g
Description: Early Bronze Age developed flat axe, probably of miniature form or possibly of Type Bandon, Variant Swinton, dating from Metalwork Assemblage IV, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 3, dated to 2050 - 1700BC

The axe appears to be complete (with a length of 58.5mm and a weight of 22.4g). The butt is rounded (with a width of 11mm) and the axe is of sub-rectangular section. The axe has discernible median bevels on both faces (28mm from the blade). The sides are near-parallel as far as the median bevel (where the axe has a width of 13.3mm and has a maximum thickness of 6.5mm). From the bevel, the sides are straight and divergent to the blade edge. The blade edge is moderately curved (with a width of 16.9mm) and no blade facet is now discernible, there are no flanges evident on the axe. Very little of the original surface survives with a dark brown patina; elsewhere the surface is pitted and is pale to mid green.


The axe is of a diminutive size, even for 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 two-thirds of the size of these axes, it may have been used for a similar function.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wenvoe, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.1 mm
Weight: 134.2 g
Description: Late Bronze Age socketed axe, of uncertain type and probably of Ewart Park Metalworking Assemblage, corresponding with Needham's (1996) Period 7, dated to c. 950 - 750BC.

 


The axe is fragmentary, represented by the blade only (with a surviving length of 38.1mm and a weight of 134.2g). The axe has broken near the base of the socket (with a length of 29.0mm, a surviving width of 7mm and a maximum surviving depth of 9mm). The axe is of rectangular section at the break, with convex sides across their thicknesses (where the axe has a width of 49mm and a maximum thickness of 20.3mm). The casting flashes are clear and raised on both sides and appear to have been finished by hammering. The sides curve-out sharply to produce an expanded, recurved edge, although one of the blade tips has been lost (producing a surviving blade width of 70.1mm). The blade faces are convex across both their lengths and width with no discernible blade facets. There are no ribs extending onto the blade fragment and no discernible sharpening striations on the blade edge. There are deep scratches of random direction on both faces which appear to have patinated, suggesting they may have occurred in antiquity. The surface has a dark brown patination.


The blade fragment appears to be from a comparatively substantial axe, although the fragmentary nature makes the typological identification difficult. Socketed axes can date to the Wilburton metalworking phase of the Late Bronze Age, dated to c. 1150-950BC; or to Llyn Fawr, dated to 750-450BC, although most recovered socketed axes are of Ewart Park phase (950-750BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ponthir, Torfaen, Torfaen (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.7 mm
Weight: 53.6 g
Description: Late Bronze Age socketed axe, of uncertain type and probably of Ewart Park Metalworking Assemblage, corresponding with Needham's (1996)  Period 7, dated to c. 950 - 750BC


The axe is fragmentary, broken in antiquity around the approximate mid-section with the blade end represented. The fragment suggests a comparatively small axe (with a surviving length of 47.7mm and a weight of 53.6g). The socket is sub-oval with straight, parallel ends (with a length of 27.0mm, a surviving width of 14.1mm and a maximum surviving depth of 32.8mm). The axe has a sub-hexagonal body section at the break (with a width at the break of 33.5mm and a maximum surviving thickness of 18.8mm). The casting flashes are evident and raised on both sides and appear to have been roughly finished by hammering. The sides are near parallel and only diverge slightly to the eroded blade tips (producing a surviving blade width of 38.2mm). The original blade edge does not survive and is comparatively straight. The blade faces are slightly convex across their widths and flat (but convergent) across their lengths with prominent blade facets discernible on both faces (c. 13mm from the present blade edge). There are now no ribs extending onto the blade fragment, although the surface loss on the upper part of the fragment may have irradiated the lower parts of any ribs. No sharpening striations are discernible on the blade edge where the surface survives. Some of the original surface survives with a dark brown patination, elsewhere there are areas of active bronze corrosion.


The blade fragment appears to be from a comparatively small axe, although the fragmentary nature makes the typological identification difficult. The hexagonal body section and crude finishing may suggest an axe of South Wales Type. Socketed axes can date to the Wilburton metalworking phase of the Late Bronze Age, dated to c. 1150-950BC; or to Llyn Fawr, dated to 750-450BC, although this axe is likely to date to the Ewart Park phase (950-750BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Northallerton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.83 mm
Thickness: 6.41 mm
Weight: 6.25 g
Description: A copper alloy cast arrowhead or very small spearhead, probably dating to the late bronze age period, probably the Penard or Ewart Park phase, about 1300 BC - 800 BC. The arrowhead is socketed and leaf shaped with a central ridge running down the length. The ridge is circular in section. Most of the socket is missing. The projectile has a dark brown patina, missing in places on the ridge, and with small areas of bright green corrosion. Compare SWYOR-19E2B1 and SF9209, and also compare pegged leaf shaped spear heads.
Notes: 
The finder listed on this record purchased the object from another detectorist.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.12 mm
Thickness: 4.44 mm
Weight: 23.1 g
Description: An incomplete flat axehead dating to the Bronze Age. The axehead is sub triangular in plan and measures 35.12mm in length and 34.27mm in width at the widest edge. It weighs 23.1g. The object is incomplete and missing the lower half. The metal is a mixture of green and brown colours.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-1500 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ramsbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50.9 mm
Weight: 18.6 g
Description: Bronze Age socketed spearhead of uncertain type and of Middle to Late Bronze Age date, c. 1500 - 750BC

 


The spearhead is fragmentary and represented by the tip only (with a surviving length of 50.9mm, a maximum surviving width of 23.1mm and a weight of 18.6g). The end of the circular socket is present at the break (where it has a surviving depth of 17.6mm and an internal diameter at the break of 7.0mm). The socket continues along the blade as a prominent and rounded midrib (giving a maximum surviving thickness of 9.2mm at the break), which gradually narrows and thins towards the tip. The blade edges have been lost and the current blade edge is near-straight or slightly convex. A subtle blade facet is discernible where the surface is preserved, before a flat area, running parallel to the midrib (with a width of 1.4mm). The surface has a dark green patina where it survives and elsewhere is pale green.


Socketed spearheads begin in the Acton Park metalworking industry dated to the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age and continue to the Llyn Fawr Industry at the very end of the Bronze Age, although spearheads of the Llyn Fawr industry are rarely recovered, with most spearheads dating to the Ewart Park phase or before. Needham (1997) dates the corresponding Industries from his Period 5, begging c. 1500BC to the end of Period 7 at c. 750BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stagsden, Bedford, Bedford (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.13 mm
Weight: 4.54 g
Description: 
A copper alloy awl fragment. The surviving piece is circular in section with the point tapering into a broken rectangular-sectioned tang.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Charlwood, Mole Valley, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.09 mm
Thickness: 7.95 mm
Weight: 11.73 g
Description: 
A very worn fragment of the blade of a late Bronze Age socketed axe. Only a small fragment of the original surface survives.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-2300 to -2050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Newbridge, Caerphilly, Caerphilly (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 71.1 mm
Weight: 128 g
Description: Early Bronze Age bronze axehead, probably of Type Migdale (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 35-59)  and of metalworking Stage III, Corresponding with Needham's (1996)  Period 2, dated to c. 2,300 - 2,050BC


The axehead is fragmentary and is represented by the butt end only (with a surviving length of 71.1mm and a weight of 128.0g). The axe thins to the butt, which is convex and is moderately rounded (with a width of 35.2mm). The axe has a sub-rectangular to sub-oval body section, with some erosion of the edges. The faces are gently convex across both their lengths and widths without any suggestion of flanges at the sides.  Both sides are slightly concave, with the suggestion that they are beginning to flare-out more sharply at the break (where the axe has a maximum surviving width of 41.8mm and a maximum surviving thickness of 10.2mm). The break occurred in antiquity and is worn and rounded. The original surface survives in patches over the faces with a green brown patina and with no decoration, elsewhere the surface is pale green.


The fragmentary state of the axe makes typological identification difficult; however visual inspection suggests that the metallurgical composition is bronze, rather than copper, and together with its comparatively large size, would seem to imply that the axe would be more likely to be of Type Migdale
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sickle (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bishopsteignton, Teignbridge, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Bronze age copper alloy sickle. Incomplete curved fragment from a sickle of middle to late Bronze Age date (c. 1400- c.800 BC). The blade curves from top to bottom, and tapers to a point at the end of the blade. There is a distinct central rib running along both faces of the blade. The blade is lenticular in section. Both the inner and outer edges of the blade have been bevelled, demonstrating use and re-use of the sickle.



This sickle was most likely socketed rather than tanged; the section is lentoid rather than being stepped, as is seen on tanged examples. Tanged sickles are known from the later Middle Bronze Age onwards, whereas socketed sickles date from the Late Bronze Age.



Bronze Age sickles are rare and therefore this artefact is an important addition to our understanding of this Bronze Age tool type.
Notes: This artefact was found in the 1990's, when it was originally shown to John Allan, who was curator at Exeter Museum at the time. Mr Allan made paper notes about the artefact, which are still retained by the Museum.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Teignbridge, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Thickness: 4.9 mm
Description: Bronze age copper alloy axehead. This flat axe is of an early bronze age date (c.2150 - 1500 BC). Distinctive side flanges can be seen on both faces. Tapers at the butt end to form a rounded edge. The blade edge flares outward into a crescent shape with a maximum diameter of 7.89cm. Axe has a sub-rectangular cross-section. Mid-brown surface patina can be seen on both faces, along with large portions of green patina showing active corrosion.
Notes: 
This record was left unfinished and has been promoted in case it can be of use to researchers

Subsequent action: Returned to finder