dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-800 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cockshutt, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 115 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight: 290 g
Description: This is a late Bronze Age socketed axehead in copper alloy. The axehead is wedge shaped with an oval socket. There are three raised ribs to both sides, running down from the mouth moulding and extending half of the way down the face, towards the cutting edge. The socket has a clear rectangular shape at its base formed by the mould. The axehead has a fixing loop to one side, just below the Mouth moulding. The cutting edge has a pronounced flare to each blade tip. The axehead shows signs of use with chipping to the cutting edge and there is a small piece of one blade tip area missing. The overall patina is of a dark bronze colouration with evidence of a fine surface finish remaining on one side. The axe is well cast and has a black surface finish noted between the ribs, this finish is thought to have been deliberately applied. The axe head has the style of the Breidden Hill group of axes which in turn, fits within the Ewart Park phase c 800-700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lapley, Stretton and Wheaton Aston, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 69.6 mm
Thickness: 12.7 mm
Weight: 27.06 g
Description: A fragment of a socketed spearhead, probably from the middle bronze age (1500BC to 1150BC).



The fragment has lozenge-section midrib which tapers towards the tip, which is missing. The fragment is also broken across the socket, with a maximum remaining socket depth of approximately 7.5mm. In section the thin wings are triangular rather than being entirely flat. The wings terminate towards the base of the fragment, approximately where the socket ends. In plan the wings are broadly leaf shaped, although it must be emphasised that they are incomplete and the cutting edges are missing.



The maximum dimensions of the fragment are 69.6mm long, 20.0mm wide, and 12.7mm thick. It weighs 27.06g.



The fragment has a well developed brown patina, and where this is missing, particularly on the edges of the fragment, the surface has a more dull green/brown appearance.



Ehrenberg (1977, p4) states that bronze spearheads first seem to occur in Britain in the final phase of the Early Bronze Age, when three forms were current: the tanged spearhead; the pegged early socketed spearhead; and the end-looped spearhead. The fragment recorded here is unlikely to fit into one of these categories. The tanged spearhead is not socketed unlike the fragment recorded here. The pegged early socketed and end-looped spearheads have a socket divided from the blade by the curving or V-shaped line of the base of the blade moulding (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p4). The most common and widespread form of spearhead from the late bronze age is the plain pegged spearhead (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p13-15). In most cases the socket has a circular external as well as internal section, unlike the example recorded here. The barbed spearhead, also of the late BA tends to have a narrow ovate midrib, again, unlike the fragment recorded here (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p15). Rather, this fragment is most likely to represent one of the main types of spearhead current in the middle bronze age - kite bladed, side-looped, or basal looped (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p6-12). These types may have lozenge midrib sections, as in the fragment recorded here, with the socket extending beyond the blade. However, as the majority of the object is missing, which would have the diagnostic features, the identification and dating cannot be narrowed down further.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Blymhill and Weston-under-Lizard, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.2 mm
Thickness: 3.4 mm
Weight: 11.72 g
Description: An incomplete bronze age copper alloy tanged knife. The external edges of the tang are incomplete. There is a circular rivet hole in the tang, approximately 4mm in diameter, which is also incomplete. There are striations across one side of the tang, transverse to the orientation of the blade. In profile, the tang expands in thickness towards the blade. There are curved incisions at the edges of the knife, between the tang and the blade, visible when the object is viewed in plan. A midrib runs down both sides of the blade, flanked by shallow and uneven voids. The blade is broadly lozenge shaped in section, becoming more lentoid towards the broken tip. The blade surface is rather uneven with depressions, particularly at either side of the midrib, which are probably hammer marks. There are also narrow shallow striations. The cutting edges and the blade tip are missing. The maximum dimensions of the knife are 53.2mm long, 18.9mm wide and 3.4mm thick (just above the break on the blade). The knife weighs 11.72g. It has light to dark green patina. The knife is similar to one illustrated in "Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum" (Moore and Rowlands, 1972, accession number 169/1946, plate XVI, no 88 and p.66) possibly from the Wyle Valley. This object has not been dated. A knife from the Reach Fen Hoard, Cambridgeshire is also similar (Ashmolean Museum accession number 1927.2466, see Smith (ed.) 1956, card GB. 17 3 (3), object 43). The Reach Fen Hoard has been dated to the 8th century BC (within the Late Bronze Age) (see Smith (ed.) 1956, card GB. 17 3 (1)) A number of broadly similar knives have been recorded under the Portable Antiquities Scheme (e.g. see NCL-F3D0E3, BH-C79921, LVPL656, BH-9EC2B8). Where dates have been suggested, these are generally Middle Bronze Age (1500BC to 1150BC) to Late Bronze Age (1150BC to 800BC), and this is the most likely date range for this object.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Description: 
A fragment of a late bronze-age socketed axehead comprising part of the curved cutting edge of the axe with the very base of the socket also surviving. The break looks to have occurred in antiquity as all edges are smooth and well worn, no traces of the original surface survive. The artefact is a pale green-grey colour overall.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fenton, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.3 mm
Thickness: 9.9 mm
Weight: 21.96 g
Description: Bronze Age spear; tip fragment of cast copper alloy socketed spearhead of probable middle or late Bronze Age date (c. 1400 - 800 BC). The fragment is approximately the last 6cm of the spear. It has a narrow, prominent midrib with a sharply-humped, oval cross section. The broken end of the spear tip shows that there is a circular hole, somewhat off-centre of the midribs, indicating that this was a socketed spearhead and therefore of a later date than the solid, tanged spearheads. The blade wings are thin and quite narrow with a small edge bevel. In profile they flare from the tip with a straight, narrow shape indicating that this spearhead was more likely to be triangular-bladed than with a leaf-shaped blade. The whole has an even, tactile, dark red-brown patina over its surface. Much of the original surface remains. Length 58.3mm, width 23.5mm, thickness (midrib at point of break) 9.9mm, weight 21.96g Ref: See, for instance, Adkins' "Thesaurus of British Archaeology", page 58 which illustrates a triangular-bladed basal looped spearhead from the Penard phase, c. 1300 - 1150 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Miniature Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN ( to )
Material: Lead Alloy 
Found: Malpas, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire West and Chester (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 28.5 g
Description: This is an interesting fragment, possibly mimicking a prehistoric axe head in lead alloy.  The fragment’s form has the general shape of a Neolithic stone axe head with evidence of some working to the blade area.

As it is made from a lead alloy, it may date anywhere from the Bronze Age, through to the Roman occupation.  Given that diminutive size of the piece, it may have been used as an amulet or votive offering.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-2150 to 42)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Firle, Lewes, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 15.8 mm
Thickness: 4.8 mm
Weight: 3.4 g
Description: Cast copper alloy ring, probably a harness or suspension loop. The ring is circular in section and decorated with two transverse grooves of the outside. The remains of a casting seam can be seen on the inside, but this has mostly been polished away. It has a external diameter of 15.8mm and an internal diameter of 8.7mm. The hole is slightly off centre and the wider side is also thicker; at the maximum point the side is 4.5mm wide by 4.8mm thick and at the minimum point it is 2.6mm wide by 3.3mm thick. It weighs 3.4 grams.
Although Bronze Age-Roman cast copper alloy beads with similar transverse grooves are known the distinct and apparently deliberate difference between the two sides may suggest this is a suspension or harness loop rather than a bead. The dark green patina supports a late Bronze Age - late Iron Age date range.
WILT-70F237, WILT-50C040 and SUSS-C8CF13 all provide possible parallels.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brailes, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59.7 mm
Weight: 62.5 g
Description: A fragment of copper alloy casting waste. The fragment has undulating original edges and more recently broken edges which reveal voids within the waste. The original edges are rounded whereas the broken edge is quite angular and is a fresh break. The surfaces of the fragment are slightly undulating with one face having traces of a heavy patina and a turquoise/blue corrosion product. The other face has patches of a mid green patina. It weighs 62.5g and measures 59.7mm long and 34.56mm wide. 

The date is uncertain, but the turquoise/blue corrosion product has been seen only on Bronze Age material from this area, so is perhaps of a Bronze Age date. The site it has been found on is a late Bronze Age/early Iron Age midden site which elsewhere (Whitchurch, Warwickshire) has produced evidence for metal working (Parkhouse pers comm.).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penllyn, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 77.6 mm
Weight: 17 g
Description: Copper alloy awl of uncertain date, possibly Late Bronze Age The awl is of tanged form and is complete with a distorted tang. The awl has a weight of 17.0g and has a distorted length of 77.6mm, originally having been approximately 98mm long. The tang had an undistorted length of 62mm and is of rectangular section (8.7mm x 5.8mm at the base of the tang) and gradually tapers to a point. There is no collar or moulding between the tang and the point. The point of the awl has a length of 36.2mm and is of circular section (11.1mm diameter at the apex), gradually thinning to the point. The awl has generally poor surface preservation with a pale to mid-green patina. The awl is difficult to date on form, the patina may suggest some age to the tool although the form is difficult to closely parallel with later Bronze Age types which tend to be slighter and have square sectioned points. Iron Age and later awls are generally made in iron.



Late Bronze Age types with inset tangs are known from across Britain (WAW-90E4D6; DOR-A9EBD3; SUR-14DC71) and it is likely this object falls within that technological phase.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 97.2 mm
Thickness: 7.8 mm
Weight: 81 g
Description: Late Bronze Age bronze sword fragment of Ewart Park type, belonging to the Ewart Park metalworking Industry, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 7, c. 950 - 750BC.



The sword is fragmentary and comprises the base of the hilt and top of the blade, with a surviving length of 97.2mm and a weight of 81.0g. The upper break is across the hilt with a width of 20.7mm and a thickness of 4.8mm and with no evidence for a rivet slot before the break. The sword has a surviving width across the shoulder of 38.8mm (7.8mm thickness). Two opposing rivet holes survive on the shoulder (one damaged) with a diameter of 3.7mm. The blade has a surviving length of 62mm with none of the blade edge surviving. The blade has a subtle rounded midrib, flanked by concave grooves (6mm wide). The midrib converges on the hilt, near the position of the break. The blade has a width and thickness at the break of 23.9mm and 5.3mm respectively. The surface is fairly well-preserved with a pale-green patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.2 mm
Thickness: 12.2 mm
Weight: 36.6 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy tanged and collared chisel, c.1150-700 BC.



The chisel is likely to have a broken tang and has a surviving length of 53.2mm and weighs 36.6g. The tang has a surviving length of 15.6mm and is of rectangular section, which diverges towards the prominent collar (12 x 9mm at the collar). At the collar the chisel has a width of 19.9mm and a thickness of 12.2mm. The chisel blade thins and narrows below the collar, to a minimum width of 16.4mm. The sides of the blade are concave to produce an expanded blade edge with a surviving width of 35.0mm. The chisel has a pale green to brown patina with some surface survival and has active bronze corrosion. Deep surface striations on one face appear to be beneath the patina and may have occurred in antiquity.
Notes: Tanged and collared chisels typically date from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age (Llyn Fawr period). An example dating to the Wilburton/Wallington phase is known from Doncaster, Yorkshire (Burgess 1968, 19, fig 7,2; Burgess, Coombs and Davies, 1972, 217), though the main currency is during the Ewart Park phase (c.900-700 BC) into the subsequent Llyn Fawr period (c.700-600 BC).



Tanged and collared chisels have a broad distribution across northern France, Britain and Ireland (see Coffyn et al. 1981, 202-203, Carte 7), though there are relatively few examples from western England and Wales. A very similar example with a thick collar and triangular blade can be seen in the large Ewart Park phase Nottingham Hill hoard, Gloucestershire (Gingell 1974, 308, fig 4,22), as well as a single find from Leigh Woods, Bristol (MacGregor 1987, 109, 11.65). Another example was found at Brogyntyn, Shropshire (Savory 1980, No 288.3) associated with a socketed gouge and a fragmentary Hallstatt 'C' sword.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wenvoe, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.2 mm
Thickness: 5.3 mm
Weight: 7.5 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy tanged chisel, c.1150-700 BC.



The chisel is fragmentary and eroded, represented by the blade and the remnants of the tang, with a surviving length of 37.2mm and weighs 7.5g. The tang has a surviving length of 15mm and is eroded, but is likely to originally have been of rectangular section with straight sides. The chisel has a maximum thickness at the top of the blade of 5.3mm. No lugs or collar are discernible between the blade and tang. The blade has straight sides diverging towards the blade edge, areas of surviving surface on the sides of the tang and blade demonstrate that the blade diverges sharply from the tang. The blade has a surviving width of 19.3mm with a curved blade edge. The chisel has patches of original surface surviving with a mid-brown patina; elsewhere the chisel has a pale green surface.
Notes: Tanged chisels have been found associated with palstaves (eg. at Priory Farm Cave, Pembrokeshire and at Doncaster, Yorkshire ) dating to the end of the Middle Bronze Age; these forms tend to have a longer blade with straight sides. Short bladed chisels with sharply divergent sides tend to have been found associated with Late Bronze Age metalwork and are often associated with Ewart Park metalworking, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 7, dating to c. 950-750BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brecon, Powys, Powys (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 66.1 mm
Thickness: 12.9 mm
Weight: 77.3 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe of Ewart Park metalworking phase, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 7, dated to c. 950 - 750BC.



The axe is of uncertain type, probably of faceted type (Type Meldreth (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 204-5) ). The axe is incomplete, missing the mouth and upper body (with a surviving length of 66.1mm and a weight of 77.3g). The body of the axe is slender (with a minimum surviving width at the break of 24.2mm). The sides of the axe are concave and expand at the blade to produce a moderately curved blade. The loop is not present on the incomplete axe. The casting flashes on the sides are not discernible and the axe is well-finished. The sides of the faces have weak, rounded facets producing a sub-octagonal body profile (with a maximum surviving thickness of 12.9mm). The blade edge and the blade tips have been lost (producing a surviving blade width of 42.2mm). Both faces of the axe are plain and slightly convex across their lengths. One of the faces has been crushed against the other, closing the socket. The damage was done by a bladed tool or weapon, as evidenced by a linear scar (6.8mm long) at the base of a V-shaped indentation. The other face has the suggestion of pounding marks at the same level. The axe has good surface preservation with a mid to dark green patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Woodhouse, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 83 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 30.71 g
Description: Bronze Age copper alloy blade fragment, 83mm long, 23mm wide and 4mm thick. The object is in fair condition with a dark brown patina and weighs 30.71grams. The object is sub rectangular in form and eliptical/lentoid in section. Its complete end is gently rounded and it tapers in width slightly along its length. Its surface is pitted and in some places there are patches of corrosion. The object is possibly an early dagger blade?
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ropley, East Hampshire, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 110 mm
Weight: 160 g
Description: A fragment of a Bronze Age plano-convex bun ingot.
The diameter is approximately 110mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1500 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: SHOREHAM BY SEA, Adur, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 11.9 mm
Thickness: 2.9 mm
Weight: 2 g
Description: Cast copper alloy bead. The bead is circular, 11.9mm in exterior diameter and 6.7mm in internal diameter. It has a D shaped section with a flat inner edge and there is a groove running horizontally around the outside, possibly from casting. It is lopsided, one side is 2.9mm wide by 2.3mm thick, the other is 5.2mm wide by 2.9mm thick. It weighs 2.0 grams. Such simple beads are difficult to date and examples are known from the Bronze Age to Roman periods.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stratford-upon-Avon, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.3 mm
Thickness: 3.6 mm
Weight: 5.17 g
Description: A copper alloy object, possibly a blade fragment, possibly Bronze Age (2150BC-800BC) in date. The fragment is broken at both ends. In plan, the fragment tapers slightly from top to bottom and has broadly straight edges - although there are no cutting edges present. In section, the fragment is broadly lentoid in shape, although broad flat ridges run down the centre of both sides. The fragment is 27.3mm long, approximately 12.9mm wide at the top and approximately 10.3mm wide at the base. It is 3.5mm thick at the top and 3.2mm thick at the base. The fragment weighs 5.17g. The fragment has a well developed green patina, marked by a large number of striations and some fine grooves principally running down the object. The broken ends and incomplete long edges have a lighter green surface, suggesting that the breaks and damage was not recent. The object may be a Bronze Age (2150BC-800BC) blade fragment, but without further context or more of the object, no closer dating or identification is suggested.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Controlled archaeological investigation
Description: The two artefacts considered here were found in June 2006 in plough soil by Heritage Writtle about 40 metres from an archaeological excavation, as part of that archaeological investigation. The individual(s) who found the items are not recorded because in the case of potential treasure found in the course of a bona fide archaeological excavation, it is the practice to give only the name of the organisation.


The socketed artefact was found on 16 June and the sword blade fragment on 21 June. The discovery was reported to the Essex Finds Liaison Officer at Colchester Museums, Caroline A. McDonald, on 1 December 2006. The finds are Treasure Number 2006 T606.


Items Discovered 1. The sword blade fragment is a short length of blade weighing 11.52 grammes; the lentoid midrib is demarcated by two grooves. Analysis of the metal indicates that it is bronze. Swords like this are known as Carp's Tongue swords because the shape of the blade tip is said to resemble the tongue of that fish. Few complete Carp's Tongue swords are known in Britain. Most specimens consist of scrap fragments imported in that form from the mainland of Europe (Sealey 19915,7 with refs). They were current in the Ewart Park phase of the late Bronze Age dated c.1020-800 BC (Needham et al. 1998,93,98). 2. Analysis of the metal of the socketed artefact shows it to be brass (an alloy of copper and zinc), not bronze (an alloy of copper and tin). Brass is not found in Britain until the 2nd century BC when it was used to decorate an Iron Age sword blade from the river Thames at Isleworth (Craddock et al. 2004). It remained rare until the Roman period. This object is unidentified and undateable, but it is certainly not Bronze Age and could be well be post-medieval or modern. The Status of the Hoard as Potential Treasure The items in the hoard are of two different dates. The sword blade is late Bronze Age but the socketed artefact is much more recent, and could be modern. It is inconceivable therefore that both items were buried at the same time. Although the Bronze Age sword fragment is ancient, two or more items more than 300 years old are required for the find to qualify as Treasure (as defined in law). On this view, the 'mid-Essex' finds do not constitute Treasure.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder after being declared not Treasure
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2150 to 1700)
Found: Pagham, Arun, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31.6 mm
Thickness: 17.4 mm
Weight: 32.5 g
Description: Lump of metal working slag with traces of fired clay attached to it, possibly from a furnace lining. The slag is from smelting or re-melting a non-ferrous metal for casting.
The lump is 31.6mm long by 23.3mm wide by 17.4mm thick and weighs 32.5 grams.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pagham, Arun, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 166 mm
Thickness: 28.5 mm
Weight: 449 g
Description: A cast copper alloy broad-bladed palstave axe of Middle Bronze Age date. The palstave was broken into two pieces from an old break but the pieces were found within 10 metres of each other and fit together perfectly. The looped palstave measures 166mm in length by 63.6mm (width across cutting edge) by 28.5mm and weighs 449g. The cutting edge is crescentic with a wide edge bevel and is considerably damaged from old breaks. There is a single central linear moulding on both sides of the blade which starts 18.2mm from the cutting edge and ends close to the stop ridge. The stop is squared and the side flanges are high, although one side is more worn that the other. There is a faint casting seam along the centre of the sides of the blade and flange. Behind the stop are three liniar mouldings running from the stop to the butt on both sides. The loop starts level with the stop and is 23.1mm long, the top of it is broken from an old break. The palstave belongs to the Taunton phase of metalworking, dating from c. 1500-1250BC. It has a pale green patina, parts of the surface are pitted and some of the edges are damaged. A similar axe in slightly better condition was recorded as: SOM-1AA9C5.
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1250 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sutton, Chichester, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38.8 mm
Thickness: 5.9 mm
Weight: 24.34 g
Description: Fragment of Bronze Age bladed item. Such a small fragment is difficult to securely identify; it is possibly a St Nazaire Type sword such as those found in the Wilburton hoard from the Late Bronze Age or perhaps a riveted dagger or rapier. 
The fragment is roughly rectangular with curved left and right edges and slightly narrower at one end than the other. The top and bottom edges are straight breaks, the patina suggests these are old. In cross section the piece has a central oval ridge from which it tapers in a straight line front and back to each side blade. Parallel to the left and right edges on both sides run four closely spaced incised lines. 
It measures 38.8mm by 30.4mm and is 5.9mm thick. It weighs 24.34grams.
Notes: Drawing by James Cope
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1275 to -1120)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mumbles, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 159 mm
Thickness: 3.2 mm
Weight: 38.2 g
Description: Middle Bronze Age bronze dirk of Group II or Group IV with Group II affinities (Burgess & Gerloff, 1981, p 62 - 65), perhaps dating to the Penard metalworking industry (c.1275-1120 BC following Needham et al. 1997), corresponding to the latter part of Needham's (1996) Period 5 (dated to 1500 - 1150BC).



The dirk has a damaged butt and is eroded, but is otherwise complete (with a length of 159mm and a weight of 38.2g). The butt was trapezoidal (with a maximum surviving width of 45.5mm) without a central rib or notches. The butt appears to have broken through two rivet holes, positioned near the upper edge and is thinnest at the top edge (0.5mm) tapering towards the blade (2.7mm thick before the blade). The shoulders slope towards the triangular blade (with a width beneath the shoulders of 26mm). The blade is of rounded, low-oval section (with a maximum thickness of 3.2mm near the butt) with no discernible mid-rib and with straight sides. Concave blade facets (with a surviving width of 4.8mm) are evident and the blade edges have been lost. The dirk has none of the original surface surviving and has a green to orange-brown surface colour.
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Found: Penllyn, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 87.7 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 22.5 g
Description: Middle to Late Bronze Age bronze dirk of Group IV type, damaged weapon with reworked butt (Burgess & Gerloff, 1981, p 99)  and probably of later Penard or Wilberton metalworking industries, corresponding to Needham’s (1996)  Periods 5-6, possibly dated to c.1200-900BC
The dirk has a damaged butt and is eroded (with a surviving length of 87.7mm and a weight of 22.5g). The butt has been formed by hammering to thin the end (with a minimum thickness of 1.5mm) and to define a sub-triangular facet, with hammer-marks discernible on both faces. The sides of the butt have been hammered from the sides (giving a width of 16.7mm) and therefore the shoulders widen slightly to the blade (with a width of 19.6mm). There is no surviving evidence for any rivet-holes on the butt. The blade is of rounded, low-oval section (with a maximum thickness of 4.0mm before the butt). There is the suggestion of a weak mid-rib, discernible only on one face. The blade sides are convex (giving a maximum surviving width of 19.9mm). Concave blade facets (with a surviving width of 3.7mm) are evident and the blade edges have been lost. The dirk has good surface preservation with a mid to dark-brown patina. There are the remnants of an incised line marking the line of the blade facet and crossing before the tip, in one area there is the suggestion of a double-incised line.
Notes: The blade fragment is comparatively substantial, possibly suggesting that the dirk may have been reworked from the tip of a sword with a leaf-shaped blade, or possibly from a heavy rapier. Incised decoration on blades tends occur on swords of the Penard Industry (e.g. Type Clewer and Type Limehouse) and on Group I dirks and rapiers.
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sutton, Chichester, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 44.7 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight: 10.58 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper-alloy Bronze Age socketed spearhead. The fragment includes part of one wing and the edge of the central socket. The remaining wing suggests the spear was originally leaf shaped and the wings were bevelled both sides in a straight line from a prominent central ridge containing a hollow socket. The spearhead dates from the Late Bronze Age and possibly belongs to the Ewart Park phase (c.950-800 BC). It measures 44.7mm long by 14.5mm wide and the blade is 4.9mm thick at the socket, narrowing to 0.9mm at the edge. The remaining maximum thickness of the central ridge is 7.0mm. It weighs 10.58grams.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-1150 to 1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tanworth-in-Arden, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.49 mm
Weight: 4 g
Description: A cast copper alloy awl. The awl is fragmentary or incomplete. It is square in section and tapers to a blunt point. The opposite terminal is broken, but it is not a too recent break.  The awl has a well developed mid green/grey patina. It measures 33.49mm long, and 5.62mm wide. It weighs 4g. 

The date of the awl is uncertain. Awls can date to the Bronze Age. Needham (in Longley, D. & Needham, S 1980 ‘Runnymede Bridge 1976: Excavations on the site of a Late Bronze Age settlement’, Surrey Archaeological Society Volume 6, page 19.) discusses awls and comments they cannot be dated with accuracy within the Bronze Age period as they are found in Early Bronze Age contexts, such as graves as well as Middle and Late Bronze Age hoards. Barber (Barber, M. 2003 Bronze and the Bronze Age: Metalwork and Society in Britain c. 2500 – 800 BC. Tempus) comments that awls are commonly found in graves and their function may not just have been utilitarian. Coombs (Coombs, 2001 in Pryor, F. The Flag Fen Basin: Archaeology and Environment of a Fenland Landscape English Heritage: Swindon p. 287-288) comments that they may represent varying stages of a craftsperson’s apprenticeship or skill. However this awl has not developed the heavy patina associated with Bronze Age awls. Leahy (Leahy, K. 2003 Anglo-Saxon Crafts Tempus) illustrates a similar awl, Figure 44 D which is Anglo-Scandinavian and used for leather-working. The date of the recorded example is not certain.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lambourn, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 44.15 mm
Weight: 77 g
Description: A worn blade from a copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date. The blade appears to be a from an axe with largely upright sides as it does no splay out.
Notes: The fragment was found at a metal detector rally, organised by Leisure Promotions, in the Lambourn area. No further details of provenance are available.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Compton and Shawford, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 64.85 mm
Thickness: 5.97 mm
Weight: 7.45 g
Description: A corroded cast copper-alloy awl or tracer of possible Bronze Age date.  The artefact has a thicker body with circular cross-section that tapers to a point.  The 'tang' is narrower and sub-rectangular in cross-section.  Such construction is typical of prehistoric awls which are thought to date from the late Bronze Age.
Notes: This record was made at a rally and may thus fall below our usual standards of recording.
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to 42)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lavant, Chichester, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.6 mm
Thickness: 11.2 mm
Weight: 9.05 g
Description: Cast copper-alloy unidentified object of a known type usually referred to as 'moustache-like' or 'moustache shaped'. These objects are thought to date from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age, after the discovery of one in the Salisbury Hoard (Stead, 1998, no.117) and various other finds reported to the PAS which are associated with Middle Bronze Age material.

The object is a hollow three-dimensional pointed oval with a bulbous upper part. It is decorated with a series of shallow longitudinal grooves which run down the exterior of the bulbous or bowl-shaped part of the item, apart from a small area on the base, which come to a halt about half way along the length of the item leaving the pointed terminus plain and undecorated. The majority of the bulbous part is hollow as can be seen from the opening at the wider end. Other hollow examples include: WILT-0C9A63, BH-A7CCB5 and BERK-403617. The opening is a maximum of 7.5mm in diameter. Like this object WILT-0C9A63 and NMS-0F4645 also have two rivet holes, one each side of the opening; on this piece they are 1.7mm in diameter. These holes are not seen on complete examples and may suggest repairs or a variation in design.

Due to the surface corrosion it is not possible to be certain that this item is incomplete, the opening has a rough surface but that could be due to casting rather than an old break. Based on other known examples (e.g. SF-520513) it would appear that this item actually represents under half of the original. The whole should comprise of two of these pointed ovals bridged in the middle with a hole through the centre of this bridge. This form gives the items the appearance of being shaped like a stylised moustache or pair of wings. The purpose of these items is unknown but chape is the usual suggestion. 

This item measures 29.6mm in length, has a maximum width of 11.8mm and a thickness of 11.2mm. The item weighs 9.05g.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Caerhun, Conwy, Conwy (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 100 mm
Thickness: 26.5 mm
Weight: 221.9 g
Description: Small looped copper alloy palstave with a plain blade, curved cutting edge and pronounced square stop-ridge. This example was found using a metal detector.

The palstave is complete, although it has been eroded around the edges, and the full extent of the cutting edge has worn away.  Patches of the original surface remain, although the majority of this appears to have flaked away, leaving a more rough-textured surface c. 1mm below.  The patina is largely greenish in colour, although the remaining sections of original surface have a more brownish tinge.  The current appearance of the patina differs with the initial photographs of the find taken at the time of discovery, and this is probably connected to the apparent application of a waxy substance to the surface of the palstave.  Where the rough-textured surface has also been lost, around the cutting edge, the loop and the butt, the inner material of the palstave is an orange-brown colour.  It appears that it has been subject to some surface abrasion, in places, revealing the bronze colour beneath.  

The palstave was cast-in-one, as evidenced by a line visible around the sides, showing the junction of the two moulds.  The sides run roughly parallel until the blade begins to flare out roughly two thirds of the way along from the butt, although the stop-ridge causes a slight protrusion on either side (excluding the loop).

Although it is also reminiscent of the Guilsfield type, the palstave appears to belong to the Wilburton phase of metalworking, also known as Needham’s period 6 (1150-950 BC), due to the way in which the flanges run into the septum before the butt.  Savory notes that “At the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, the north Wales industry seems to have specialised in neatly cast, plain-bladed implements with a straight or curving stop-ridge…”. This palstave forms part of this tradition.

Similar (albeit larger) examples were found as part of the Guilsfield hoard (Savory, 1980, fig 32, no 268.2), and also more recently at Pen yr Ole Wen, Gwynedd, in 2005 (GAT PRN 24018;PAS ID GAT-C5BC97)
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2150 to 400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Salisbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 75.3 mm
Weight: 5.91 g
Description: Bronze Age, Iron Age or Roman copper alloy awl, slightly bent. It measures 75.3mm in length and weighs 5.91g.

The flat end is 4.2mm wide and 0.8mm thick, thickening to 4.1mm, the max.thickness of the awl in the square-sectioned central section. The pointed end is circular in section and narrows from 4.1mm to the point. It is this end which is slightly bent.
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-2150 to 1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Heytesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59.8 mm
Diameter: 3 mm
Weight: 3.67 g
Description: Bronze Age/ Iron Age/ Roman/ ?Medieval copper alloy awl, bent. It measures 59.8mm in bent length (originally c.90mm) and weighs 3.67g.

The pointed end is circular in section and 2.1mm in diameter. This widens to the centre part of the awl, which is 3mm in diameter. To the other end, the awl narrows to 1.4mm thick (still 3mm wide). On one side of the flattened end, distict edges are visible, rather like flanges. They have probably been flattened but may have had a purpose. They extends only 20mm.
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ruyton-XI-Towns, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 72.4 g
Description: Possible Bronze Age flat axe- slightly unusual
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alpraham, Cheshire East, Cheshire East (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 109 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Weight: 174.8 g
Description: A copper alloy axe, Arreton Down type, dating to c.1600-1400BC. It is mostly complete with just some of the blade and the very end of the butt missing. The flanges are not very deep. It has corrosion all over the surface which is pitted and uneven.
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18.2 mm
Thickness: 2.6 mm
Weight: 2.26 g
Description: A heavily corroded fragment of a copper-alloy blade of probable middle to late Bronze Age (c. 1500BC – 800BC) date. The size and form of this piece suggest that it is probably part of a small knife.

The blade is of thin lozenge-shaped section. The top and bottom edges are roughly horizontal, suggesting that the implement was deliberately broken or cut.

The piece measures 18.2mm long, 13mm wide and 2.6mm thick. The weight is 2.26g.
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Preston Capes, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 159 mm
Thickness: 26.43 mm
Weight: 383 g
Description: Bronze Age axe; A complete cast copper alloy unlooped palstave axehead, dating to the Middle Bronze Age (c.1500 - 1150 BC). The rear part of the axe (from the stop ridge to the butt) is sub-rectangular in plan from the butt to the stop, and subtriangular in profile, with the thickest part of the artefact immediately behind the stop ridge. The flange facets give the artefact a lozengiform profile, and are fused to the stop ridge, thus forming two raised elements with which to haft the axe. The butt of the axehead is slightly rounded in plan. The blade is subtriangular in plan and subrectangular in section. The artefact is in a stable condition, with a patchy dark green patina. Similar examples are illustrated in Moore, C, N & Rowlands, M, 1972, 'Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum', pages 52-3 & plate VII, ref nos 15-22.
Object: Hammer (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wappenham, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 65 mm
Diameter: 21 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 77.88 g
Description: Bronze Age hammer: A LBA socketed and collared hammerhead.  The hammerhead is hollow, rectangular in profile, subrectangular in section at the closed end, round in section at the socket. The socket retains traces of a raised collar, 11mm deep.  The entire hammerhead measures 65mm x 21mm x 10mm, with 5mm thick walls, and weighs 77.88g.  It has a patchy green surface covering.

Parallels are known from the hoards at: The Reach, Cambs; Eaton (East Anglia);Carleton Rd (Norwich); Tankerton Bay and the Isle of Harty (Kent)

For 'The Reach', see Smith 1956, Inventaria Archaeologia.
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Huntington, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70.5 mm
Thickness: 10.3 mm
Weight: 21.49 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed spearhead, probably from the middle bronze age (1500BC to 1150BC).



The fragment has lozenge-section midrib which tapers towards the tip, which is missing. The fragment is also broken across the socket, which has a circular internal section, and tapers to a point approximately 35mm from the broken base of the socket. In section the thin wings are triangular rather than being entirely flat. The wings terminate towards the base of the fragment, but the damage to the surface of the spearhead means that it is unclear if this is due to loss of material. In plan the wings are broadly leaf shaped, although it must be emphasised that they are incomplete and the cutting edges are missing.



The maximum dimensions of the fragment are 70.5mm long, 17.8mm wide, and 10.3mm thick. It weighs 21.49g.



The fragment has a well developed green patina, and on the substantial areas where the original surface is missing, particularly on the edges of the fragment, there is has a duller green/light green pitted appearance.



There are distinct shallow grooves running down all of the original surfaces of the spearhead. These are patinated suggesting that these were not made recently. Ehrenberg (1977, p4) states that bronze spearheads first seem to occur in Britain in the final phase of the Early Bronze Age, when three forms were current: the tanged spearhead; the pegged early socketed spearhead; and the end-looped spearhead. The fragment recorded here is unlikely to fit into one of these categories. The tanged spearhead is not socketed unlike the fragment recorded here. The pegged early socketed and end-looped spearheads have a socket divided from the blade by the curving or V-shaped line of the base of the blade moulding (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p4). The most common and widespread form of spearhead from the late bronze age is the plain pegged spearhead (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p13-15). In most cases the socket has a circular external as well as internal section, unlike the example recorded here. The barbed spearhead, also of the late BA tends to have a narrow ovate midrib, again, unlike the fragment recorded here (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p15). Rather, this fragment is most likely to represent one of the main types of spearhead current in the middle bronze age - kite bladed, side-looped, or basal looped (see Ehrenberg, 1977, p6-12). These types may have lozenge midrib sections, as in the fragment recorded here, with the socket extending beyond the blade. However, as the majority of the object is missing, which would have the diagnostic features, the identification and dating cannot be narrowed down further.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-2100 to 100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Salisbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 9.4 mm
Thickness: 6.3 mm
Weight: 2.7 g
Description: Droplet of copper alloy, light green in colour and powdery, possibly Bronze Age or Iron Age in date. It measures 9.4x9.5x6.3mm and weighs 2.7g
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1100 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Salisbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 13.4 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 3 g
Description: Fragment of possibly Bronze Age socketed axehead, consisting of part of the body. It measures 13.4x18.5x2.5mm, weighs 3.0g and is slightly curving in section.
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Broughton, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.55 mm
Description: A chisel of Middle to Late Bronze Age date. The blade is wide and tapers gradually, after a slight change of angle, into a square-sectioned tang. The tang measures 14.34 by 14.74 across.
Object: Miniature Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stixwould and Woodhall, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36 mm
Thickness: 2.3 mm
Description: Probable Bronze Age model flat axe.  The axe is flat and tapers in plan with a curved cutting edge. The axe tapers from 18mm wide at the cutting edge to 7.9mm wide at the butt. The blade edge is faceted on one side only. The object has a mid-brown patina.

Bronze age material has been discovered in the immediate area, including a full-sized flat axe LIN-3087B5. Another flat axe was also discovered in the next parish (LIN-D527F1).