dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Amotherby, Ryedale, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 127 mm
Thickness: 31.7 mm
Weight: 23.9 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy flanged axehead of middle Bronze Age date. The axehead is sub-rectangular in plan with a narrow and thin squared butt end which extends to a curved cutting edge with crescent shaped blade. Two large integrally cast raised lozenge shaped flanges are present along the edges of both sides extending from the butt to mid way along the body. The exterior surfaces of the flanges are slightly concaved and no casting lines are visible. Where the flanges terminate a shallow stop-ridge is present on both sides. The axehead is undecorated with signs of wear.

This axehead fits into the Middle Bronze Age phase specifically that associated with the Arreton and Acton Park metalwork assemblages.

The metal has a mid greyish-brown patina and is worn. The axehead is 127mm long, 40.6mm wide at the blade, 18.9mm wide at the butt end, 31.7mm thick at flanges and weighs 239g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Micheldever, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.88 mm
Weight: 3.88 g
Description: 
A small fragment from the blade edge of an axe of Middle or Late Bronze Age date.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, Gwynedd (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 166 mm
Thickness: 36.48 mm
Weight: 471.1 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy palstave with raised flange facets dating from the Middle Bronze Age (1500 BC - 1150 BC).


The blade of the palstave is sub-triangular in plan with convex expanding sides and an incomplete convex cutting edge. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the widest section being before the stop ridge. The sides of the blade are convex in shape. The blade (measured from the cutting edge to the stop ridge) is 96.18 mm long and the width of cutting edge is 56.31 mm. The thickness of the blade tip is 3.33 mm. The maximum thickness of the blade is 17.36mm (measured at thickest part below the stop ridge, the width at this point is 29.15 mm).


The rear part of the axe (from the stop ridge to the butt) is sub-rectangular in plan and sub-triangular in section (profile) with the widest part at the stop ridge. The septum (the area between the flange facets and the stop ridge) is 65.75 mm long, 16.03 mm wide, and 6.73 mm thick. The butt of the axe has been slightly damaged leaving two rounded corners with a gap between. The butt is 25.13 mm wide and 5.54 mm thick. 


The flange facets are fused to the stop ridge forming two sub-rectangular raised elements to haft the axe by. 


In total the palstave measures 166 mm in length, 56.54 mm wide (maximum) and 36.48 mm thick. It weighs 471.1 g.


Several casting flaws in the form of air bubbles are present on the septum. The poor quality of the casting is confirmed by an xray of the palstave which demostrated several large air bubbles within the internal structure of the palstave. XRF (X Ray Fluorescence) of the surface corrosion indicates that the palstave has a composition of 76.24% Copper (Cu), 14.62% Tin (Sn), 0.48% Lead (Pb) and 0.41% Iron (Fe).


The palstave is a mid to dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface. The palstave has been kindly cleaned stabilised by Aimee Sims (Conservation Department, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery).


Similar examples to this palstave can be seen in Savory, 1980; catalogue entries 171, 172, 175, and 263 (the Mynydd Ta-y-glannau, Cemmaes Hoard). All of these examples fit into the middle phase of the Middle Bronze Age (MBA II).


Reference:

Savory, H. N., 1980. Guide Catalogue to the Bronze Age Collections Cardiff : National Museum of Wales, pp46-47, 106-107, 170-171 and 179
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bishop Burton, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.22 mm
Thickness: 9.68 mm
Weight: 44.7 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axehead of later Bronze Age date (1150-750 BC). The fragment is composed of a minor amount of the lower blade and cutting edge and terminates in an old break situated at the tip of the socketed portion of the blade. The cutting edge is asymmetrical and rounded.



Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Database: Unique ID: WAW-DC5037



The metal is a light green with a dark green patina.
Notes: The initial records and photographic images were taken at Bishop Burton 2011 Rally. We understand that the images fall below our usual standards, this however is due to the difficult conditions (predominantly the lack of ideal lighting conditions) under which they were taken. The recorder has done what is possible to raise the quality of the images before attaching them to the records.



As these finds were recorded at the Bishop Burton 2011 Rally, the individual recording them onto the PAS Database has not seen them and was not the initial identifier. Therefore for more in-depth, secondary identification, only the paper records written at the Rally and the photographic images were available to assist.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Micheldever, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.27 mm
Weight: 6.98 g
Description: 
A cast copper alloy Bronze Age blade. The object is very worn and is of uncertain type, possibly a sword tip.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: WEYBRIDGE, Elmbridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.23 mm
Weight: 17.06 g
Description: A cast copper alloy square-sectioned tang, 54mm long, which terminates in a rounded wedge. This is probably part of a Late Bronze Age chisel.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1900 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Clacton, Tendring, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 78.94 g
Description: Copper alloy axehead dating from the end of the early Bronze Age period, c. 1900-1700 BC. The axe is a Schmidt and Burgess (1981, pg. 65-8; pl. 30-1) Type Bandon, Variant Swinton, e.g. nos. 347-80. The surface of the axe is corroded and worn and appears to be displaying active copper corrosion, rendering identification of the surface, and any possible decoration, impossible.


The axe measures 84mm in length, 34mm in width and 11mm in thickness. It weighs 78.94g. Such axes were current in the Willerby Wold phase of the early Bronze Age, currently dated circa 1900-1700 BC.
Notes: This object was reported to Dr Paul Sealey, of Colchester and Ipswich Museums, and images of the axehead were obtained by scanning the object which were supplied to the FLO for recording. As a result the record may fall below the usual standards for objects reported to the FLO. Dr Sealey states that Early Bronze Age metalwork is rare in Essex, making the find of some interest and importance; in August 2013 the object was donated to Colchester Museum Service by the finder.
Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stagsden, Bedford, Bedford (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 69.74 mm
Weight: 4.1 g
Description: 
A cast copper alloy slender chisel or awl of uncertain but perhaps Bronze Age date. One end of the implement has a slender flat chisel terminal and the other ends in a round point.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -650)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tilshead, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70 mm
Weight: 57.63 g
Description: Incomplete fragment of a cast bronze (copper alloy) socketed gouge of probable Late Bronze Age date (c. 1100 - 650 BC). It is likely that this tool is from the Wilberton, Ewart Park or Llyn Fawr metalworking, phases which correspond to Needham's (1996) Period's 6 - 8.
Notes: Socketed gouges have been found associated with metalwork assemblages of Wilberton (eg. Guilsfield, Savory, 1980, No. 268. 64-65) through Ewart Park (eg Penwyllt, Savory 1980, No 284. 7-8) and Llyn Fawr (Savory 1980, No 291 9-11). Savory (ibid., p 55) suggests that the earliest examples have multiple mouth mouldings, while later examples have a plain or broad, flat collar. It is difficult to suggest a date for this example with a prominent single, slender moulding. According to Pearce 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 she suggests that most socketed gouges can be dated to the Ewart phase between c. 1000 - c. 800 BC. Needham et al's (1997) recent study of Bronze Age chronology dated a collared socketed gouge from the Bodwrog Hoard, Anglesey to 2720 +- 45 BP (DoB No 3, OxA-4652, p68).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Razor (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Marham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Description: Fragment of Late Bronze Age razor, probably of Piggott 1946 Class I. Very flat eliptical section with slightly bevelled edges, rounded end and transverse break. None of the original cutting edge survives, the edges of the blade very thin and damaged. Surviving length 31mm. Width at break 28mm. Maximum surviving thickness 2mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -11501)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 44.17 mm
Thickness: 6.37 mm
Weight: 9.49 g
Description: A fragment of Middle Bronze Age copper alloy spear, dating 1,500 - 1,150BC.  Only the tip survives of this spear.  It has a clearly defined mid rib, solid tip and towards the end of this fragment the hollow socket becomes visible.  The end of the tip is also broken and missing.  The broken edges are very abraded.  The copper alloy has an even dark green patina that extends over the breaks.


Jon Cotton has studied this fragment and has suggested it might be from a Middle Bronze Age side-looped spear.


Dimensions: length: 44.17mm; width: 16.40mm; thickness: 6.37mm; weight: 9.49g.


Identification by Jon Cotton, Specialist in Prehistoric London.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eccleshall, Stafford, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 74.37 mm
Thickness: 29.2 mm
Weight: 89 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy socketed axehead, of Late Bronze Age dating (1150 BC to 800 BC).


Less than 50% of the socketed axehead is present, consisting of the base of the socket and the blade edge. The fragment is sub rectangular in plan, and triangular in section. The socket is rectangular in shape. Casting ridges are faintly present along both of the sides. The blade edge is rounded and expands out at the sides. Filemarks are present on the front and back of the axehead.


The socketed axehead fragment measures 74.37 mm in length, 35.61 mm wide (at the blade), 29.20 mm wide (at the body), 18.53 mm thick (at the body), 2.11 mm thick (at the blade edge). The remnants of the socket is 27.59 mm deep. The sides are 3.20 mm thick. It weighs 89.0 g.


The socketed axehead is a mid to dark green colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Marham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 101 mm
Weight: 267 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axe in fairly fresh condition with prominent casting seams, blunt cutting edge, one possibly recent dent and recent scratching. Length 101mm. Width 42mm. Weight 267g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Barbed And Tanged Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Bendish, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Description: Copper alloy barbed-and-tanged arrowhead, tip, very narrow fragment of adjacent cutting edge and end of tang. missing. The ends of the barbs are slightly scuffed. There is a slight median rib on one face while the other is entirely flat. Length 34mm. Width 22.5mm. Thickness 2mm. The surfaces are dull brown through iron staining.
Notes: 
Stuart Needham, having examined a photograph, comments:


"It is interesting to learn of yet another of these arrowheads from British soil. Many years ago I would have ]...[ suspected a collector's loss. However, there are now sufficient (as well as the one secure context in the Penard hoard, Glamorgan) to suggest some currency of the type in this country. Despite the morphological similarity to flint versions, they by no means have to be Early Bronze Age. Bronze barbed-and-tanged arrowheads in one guise or another continue right through and my suspicion would be that most finds are Middle to Late BA. The Penard example proved to have an unusual metal composition suggestive of it being a foreigner."

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Iron Age to BRONZE AGE (-700 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Keelby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 106.9 mm
Diameter: 40.1 mm
Thickness: 6.3 mm
Weight: 295 g
Description: Copper alloy socketed axe. Cast axe with a crescentic cutting edge, a plain and gently tapering body lacking any external ridging, a semi-circular loop whose inner end coincides with a low moulding for a round collared mouth of external diameter 32mm; within the socket the mouth achieves a sub-rectangular shape. A ridge of length c.30mm appears within the socket on either side, and was perhaps intended to enhance the grip of the axehead on its haft. A mould line appears all around the external median line of the axehead, centred on the upper and lower sides. The cutting edge remains sharp. The plain exterior and the size recalls that of socketed axes from Caythorpe 1 held in Lincoln Museum (Davey, P. 1970, Later Bronze Age Metalwork from Lincolnshire [volume 1], B. Phil. Dissertation for University of Liverpool, pages 81-85), for which parallels are cited (ibid. page 94) from Roxby, Haxey and West Halton, North Linconshire. Suggested date: Late Bronze Age, 700-600 BC.



Length: 106.9mm, Width (at blade): 51.2mm, Diameter (mouth): 40.1mm, Thickness (at mouth): 6.3mm, Weight: c.295gms.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Winslow, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 172.5 mm
Thickness: 5.46 mm
Weight: 59.81 g
Description: A large fragment of a Middle Bronze Age rapier blade in very fine condition. The blade was recovered from a riverine deposit. Peter Reavill comments: the classic tell-tale features are the thickened forte (the section by the hilt) that tapers into a very thick sturdy mid-rib - which extends to the point which is almost lozengiform in section. The blades are thought to be for stabbing rather than slashing. The cutting edges are present - but feathered. This blade is snapped below the diagnostic part which is the hilt plate (often trapezoidal) with 2 - 4 rivet holes. The junction between the hilt and upper blade is also lost. I think I would be happiest with attributing it to Burgess / Gerloff's Group III http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/109896- as it seems to have a 'triple arras' - central rib flanked by lesser rib near the cutting edge - possibly Group IV http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/57067 as the outer rib is more rounded and less distinct. Both of these date to the period 1400-1250BC - Needham's period 5. Rapiers are often associated with deposition within running water (streams / rivers) and also static water (bogs).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pentney, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight: 35.38 g
Description: Fragment of the lower part of the socket of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe, both ends broken and only one side extant. Thickness 16 - 13mm. Weight 35.38g. 100 - 700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Beesby with Saleby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55.3 mm
Thickness: 11.3 mm
Weight: 98.32 g
Description: Copper alloy palstave axehead fragment. Cast blade and cutting edge from a palstave axe with faint discernible traces of a central mid rib. The blade diminishes in its thickness and increases in its width towards the cutting edge. Fiercely abraded with large nicks in the cutting edge, and encrusted with soil. Suggested date: Middle Bronze Age, 1600-1100 BC.



Length: 55.3mm, Width: 52.6mm, Thickness: 11.3mm, Weight: 98.32gms.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1700 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Backwell, North Somerset, North Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 143 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight: 335.5 g
Description: Cast Copper alloy palstave axehead. This has a rectangular rear half that begins to expand from the mid-point to the blade, which has a crescent shaped cutting edge.  The side flanges run from the butt to just beyond the mid-point, these are high and culminated in a point at the centre of both the lower and upper sides.  The transverse stop plate in situated in the centre and has a slight triangular recess in front.  

Artefact dates to 1700BC to 1400BC
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alrewas, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.34 mm
Thickness: 7.02 mm
Weight: 15.2 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy (bronze) socketed axehead fragment, of Late Bronze Age dating (c. 950 BC to c. 750 BC)


Less than 50% of the axehead is present, consisting only of part of the body, blade and the remnants of the socket. It is missing the top part of the axehead and the loop.


It is sub rectangular in plan, with an expanded / flared convex, but abraded cutting edge. The socket is sub rectangular in section. The depth of the socket from the edge of the break to the base of socket is 10.23 mm. The two long sides of the axe expand slightly along the length of the socket and terminate with an expanded blade. No casting seams are visible. The expanded blade has a curved convex (crescent shaped) cutting edge which is incomplete. The sides do not appear to be faceted and no ribs are present on either the front or back of the axehead fragment.


The axehead fragment measures 34.34 mm in length, 24.90 mm wide (at the blade edge), 18.69 mm wide (across the remnants of the socket), 7.02 mm thick (at the socket) and 1.39 mm thick (blade). The walls of the axehead are 2.1 mm thick. It weighs 15.2 g.


The axehead is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil, has resulted in a loss of the majority of the original surface.


This socketed axehead fragment is on the small side for the majority of socketed axehead types, but the shape and style is too well made for any of the miniature axehead types that are found in the Wiltshire area (Robinson, 1995). It is more likely to be Late Bronze Age in dating than Late Iron Age to Early Roman. Due to the axe fragment having a slender look to it, it could be similar to the Medreth type axes, possibly a SE type or Medreth, consistent with a Ewart Park assemblage type, of Late Bronze Age dating (Needham Period 7).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1501)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Bendish, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 65 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 170 g
Description: Incomplete Early Bronze Age copper alloy flat axe, the butt end and the central part missing. On both faces there are three transverse lines of chevrons, two lines facing in one direction and one line in the other, each chevron being made with two punched dashes. The surfaces are patinated brown though there are some small patches of verdigris. The condition is quite fresh and there is some scuffing on the edges especially along the cuttung edge. The break is not recent. Megaw and Hardy 1938, Type I. Length 65mm. Width 77mm. Thickness 9mm. Weight 170g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Bendish, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.5 mm
Description: Incomplete Late Bronze Age copper alloy awl, part of the square-section tang missing. The blade is sub-square in section at its start and becomes circular sectioned before the point. Extant length 36.5mm. Maximum width 5.5mm. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Bendish, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19.5 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 1.96 g
Description: Very small fragment of the cutting edge of a Bronze Age copper alloy axe in sharp and fresh condition. Extant length, width and thickness 19.5, 7 and 4mm. Weight 1.96g. c.2350 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Razor (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barton Bendish, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50 mm
Thickness: 0.9 mm
Description: Incomplete and bent Late Bronze Age copper alloy razor of Piggott 1946 Class I. The tang and the distal end are missing. The sides are so badly pitted that no part of either cutting edge survives. There is a low midrib on both faces. Extant length and width 50mm and 18mm. Thickness (at the midrib) 0.9mm. c.1000 - c.701.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gayton, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 30 mm
Weight: 3 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze copper alloy spearhead, a sherd from the mouth of the socket. External diameter 30mm. Weight 3g. c.1000 - c.700 BC
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whittlesey, Fenland, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.65 mm
Thickness: 4.76 mm
Weight: 14.3 g
Description: A fragment of copper alloy which appears to be an incomplete section of a blade. It is possible that this fragment is a small part of a blade of Bronze Age date (c.2350-801BC). Weight is 14.3g, incomplete length is 29.65mm, width is 25.31mm and thickness is 4.76mm. The cross section was probably originally a flattish oval with the edges tapering out very thin, now mostly missing. The upper and lower surfaces do not seem to have had a higher point/ridged longitudinal centre despite the presence of corrosion product and some patches where the original surface seems to be missing.



Mr Peter Reavill agrees that one section is suggestive of a blade and that a likely date range would be Middle to Late Bronze Age (c.1500-750BC). The blade is likely to be a knife although a fragment of sickle is another consideration, however not enough of the blade survives to be sure. The absence of a prominent mid-rib is not unusual as most slight blades do not have these See PAS record HESH-199F11. Dating Bronze Age knives is difficult and almost impossible with so little surviving as with this example hence the broad date range above. The presence of another Bronze Age artefact fragment (PAS record number ESS-8FB2C3), found by the same finder, within 1km of this artefact's find spot and the context of the find spot helps support the Bronze Age date that has been given to this fragment.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -2050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tissington and Lea Hall, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84.19 mm
Thickness: 9.73 mm
Weight: 70.2 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy (bronze) flat axe of Early Bronze Age dating (c. 2350 BC to c. 2050 BC).


The flat axe is broadly sub rectangular in shape with a splayed crescent shaped blade. In profile it is broadly lentoid, with slight tapering edges. The butt is relatively thin having a narrow rounded profile; the width at the butt is 12.89 MM (thickness: 1.49 MM). The sides of the axe gently expand in width from the butt to the blade; in shape they are relatively curved. The long edges bear slight evidence that they have been raised to form flanges. However, the axe is thickest at the mid point (9.73 MM). The sides of the blade expand to produce a crescentic blade edge with an abraded width of 36.41 MM. The tips of the crescent shaped blade have been damaged through either abrasion or wear, as has the blade edge itself. A distinct blade facet is not present. Minor traces of oblique slash marks has been noted on the flanged edges, under a microscope magnification. Casting 'flaws' or air bubbles are present over most of the surface of the flat axehead.


The axe is a mid to dark green colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail. There are a couple of patches of a brighter green colour on the surface. These areas should be monitored for further signs of active copper corrosion (bronze disease) occurring. This is a bright green powdery residue. To reduce the risk of this happening, the axe should be stored in a sealed air tight, dry box such as a tupperware box lined with silica gel and acid free tissue.


It measures 84.19 MM in length, maximum width at the blade is 36.41 MM, width at the butt is 12.89 MM and it has a maximum thickness of 9.73 MM. It weighs 70.2 grams.


The axehead is best described as coming from the first phases of the Early Bronze Age and is comparable to (although not containing all the attributes of Migdale axes (many of these tend to have narrower butts which flare at the cutting edge). 


These axes all fit within the earliest phases of metal working in Britain, metalworking stage II, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 2 circa 2350- 2050 CAL. BC. This means that they are dated, broadly, to the same period as Beaker pottery, barbed and tanged flint arrowheads, copper halberds and gold lunulae.


Reference:


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


Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C.B. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. Prahistorische Bronzefunde. Abteilung IX. Band 7. C.H. Beck'Sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Munchen. p.46-47.


Class: Migdale type. Biggar variant
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1140 to -1020)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brentford, Hounslow, Greater London Authority (London)
Discovery method: Other chance find
Length: 538 mm
Thickness: 7.2 mm
Weight: 496 g
Description: A Late Bronze Age sword of the Wilburton type (Burgess and Colquhoun, 1988, 40), dating between 1140-1020 BC (Needham et al. 1997). This sword is a flange-hilted sword, the blade and hilt being cast as one with flanges running along the edges of the hilt. The terminus is fan shaped and about half the width of the shoulder. There is a small, uneven, deposit of lead at the terminus end which may have been to aid balance. There is a slight bulge in the hilt, towards the shoulder, and a rounded slot in the centre of the hilt (33.95 mm long by 6.20 mm wide).The shoulder curves outwards to its widest with a ricasso notch below where the blade joins the hilt, resulting in a barbed effect on the shoulder. One of the notches is heavily worn making it almost invisible. There are two oval rivet holes on either side of the shoulder (10.52 mm and 7.80 mm in diameter). The bevelled blade is leaf shaped, being particularly lenticular towards the tip.



There is considerable green-blue oxidation product on one side of the blade, the side which was facing down when discovered. Amongst this oxidisation are 3-4 patches of reddish-brown oxidisation. The other side has some green-blue product but also a light brown patination across much of the surface. One would assume that the most heavily oxidised side had been in contact with water for a long period of time, therefore being found facing downwards may suggest it had been flipped whilst in the river. There are "nicks" along the blade edge probably caused by a similar weapon, which may be evidence of use either in battle or practice.



This type of sword has primarily been found in the Thames Valley area or the Fens (Jon Cotton, pers. comm.). Examples of fragments can be found on the PAS database: NMGW-7D0AC5, HAMP-352B13 and LVPL759



Dimensions: Total length: 538 mm; length of blade: 423 mm; width of blade: 38.31 mm; length of hilt: 98.29 mm; width of shoulder: 55.93 mm; width of terminus: 26.94 mm; thickness of blade: 7.20 mm; weight: 496g.



References: Burgess, C. B. and Colquhoun, I. 1988. The Swords of Britain. Munchen: Prähistorische Bronzefunde



Needham, S., Ramsey, C. B., Coombs, D., Cartwright, C., and Pettitt, P. 1997. An independent chronology for British Bronze Age metalwork: the results of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Programme. Archaeological Journal, 154, 55-107.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period:  to  (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yearsley, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 92.9 mm
Weight: 35.5 g
Description: A copper alloy kite-bladed spearhead dating to the Middle Bronze Age, c. 1500 to 1200 BC.


The object has a kite-shaped blade with side loops and a lozenge-shaped midrib centre. The base of the object has some damage an uneven edge however the wear suggests that this took place in antiquity. The width of the blade is 18.90 mm and the diameter of the socket is 12.95 mm. The object is 92.90 mm in length and weights 35.5 g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cottam, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 10.29 mm
Diameter: 3.49 mm
Thickness: 2.28 mm
Weight: 1.23 g
Description: 
An incomplete copper alloy pin of Bronze Age date. All that remains of the pin is the head and a short length of the shaft. The head is comprised of a flat circular head with broken and worn edges and is decorated with a raised central pellet surrounded by three concentric raised rings. The underside is smooth and undecorated with an integral projecting shaft set at a right angle to the head. The shaft is circular in section with a subtly tapering circumference and terminates is a worn break.



The metal is a mid green in colour with a corroded patina.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cottam, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.79 mm
Thickness: 1.83 mm
Weight: 1.45 g
Description: 
An incomplete copper alloy disc-headed pin of Middle B ronze Age date. The head is comprised of a flat circular head with worn edges and is decorated with a raised central pellet surrounded by four concentric raised rings. The underside is smooth and undecorated with an integral projecting shaft set at a right angle to the head. The shaft is circular in section with a subtly tapering circumference and terminates is a worn break.



The metal is a mid green in colour with a corroded patina.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-1100 to 1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Heytesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.35 mm
Height: 20 mm
Weight: 49.58 g
Description: A copper alloy casting sprue/jet of Bronze Age or later  date. The jet is oval in plan, broadly triangular in cross section and tapers towards the break forming a broadly oval cone. The shape reflects the funnel shaped casting gate  and the projecting feeder into the casting mould. The base of the cone  would have in fact been the upper side into which the metal was poured  and the irregular surface may the metal cooling as it  was poured into the mould. The metal has a dark green patina.

The casting jet is 39.35mm in length. 23.45mm wide (max), 6.75mm wide (min), 20.0mm in height and weighs 49.58 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1600 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cirencester, Cotswold, Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 81.35 mm
Thickness: 15.6 mm
Weight: 30.83 g
Description: A copper-alloy side-looped socketed spearhead dating to the Middle  Bronze Age (1600-1000 BC) of Greenwell and Brewis Type IV. There is  damage to one half of the socket opening and to one of the side-loops.  One of the wings is slightly bent and the tip of the spear is missing.  The breaks do not appear to be old. The blade is 'flame shaped' and what  remains of it is 37.20mm long (it would have been c.64.35mm). The  widest part of the blade is 19.70mm. The mid-rib of the blade is an  extension of the socket and extends to the broken tip of the spear. At  the base of the blade this mid-rib is 9.55mm thick. From the opening to  the base of the blade the socket is 43.50 in length and tapers in  diameter from 15.15mm to 9.45mm. The thickness of the metal is 2.35mm.  There are two side-loops on opposite sides of the socket, about half way  between the base of the blade and the socket opening, on the same axes  as the wings of the blade. Only one is intact and the perforation is not  visible due to corrosion.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Flaxton, Ryedale, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 102.1 mm
Thickness: 8.1 mm
Weight: 111 g
Description: A complete copper alloy flat axehead of early Bronze Age date. The axehead is sub-trapezoidal with a curved blade tapering to a rounded cutting edge. The axehead is extremely worn and undecorated. No signs of ridges or flanges are present indicating that this is an early flat axe.

The metal has a mid brownish-green patina. The axehead is 102.1mm long, 40.8mm tapering to 23.7mm wide, 8.1mm thick and weighs 111g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tangley, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.64 mm
Weight: 11.45 g
Description: The tip of a copper-alloy socketed spear dating from the middle to later Bronze Age (c. 1500-700BC). The spearhead tip has a rounded mid rib with narrow wings. The wings are chipped, perhaps due to thinning of the metal from corrosion which may have led to some losses from the outer edge of each wing. The surface has a stable, slightly pitted, patinated surface of green-brown colour. The surviving length is 46.64mm, with a maximum width of 10.04mm (and depth of 7.80mm) and weight of 11.45g.



A similar, though larger, example (LIN-CE5674) can be seen on this database.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Burneston, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.88 mm
Thickness: 11.95 mm
Weight: 24.4 g
Description: A fragment of a cast, copper-alloy socketed axe of late Bronze Age date, c. 1000-700 BC.



Only the blade end of the axehead remains, with a worn curved edge; the entire fragment is wedge-shaped with a rectangular hollow visible internally. The fragment is widest at the shoulders of the blade. The metal has a relatively even patina, with some loss of patina along the edge of the blade.



The break is very abraded.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Roxby cum Risby, North Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.5 mm
Thickness: 4.7 mm
Weight: 12.55 g
Description: Copper alloy probable socketed axe fragment. Cast fragment with mould line and three grooves on its outer face, from the corrugated moulding close to the mouth of a socketed axe, probably its upper or lower side given the presence of the mould line. Fiercely abraded on all surfaces including fracture surfaces, indicating the axe was broken in antiquity and subsequently moved around in the soil. Suggested date: Late Bronze Age, 1000-800 BC.



Length: 34.5mm, Width: 23.7mm, Thickness: 4.7mm, Weight: 12.55gms.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Brampton, Broadland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight: 40.48 g
Description: 
A copper alloy casting sprue with two channels or gates. At the top is a broken oval shank, which divides into two arms of oval section. Both arms terminate with a smooth oval plate. Probably mid to late Bronze Age.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Topcroft, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 64.5 mm
Weight: 18.27 g
Description: Incomplete probably Middle to Late Bronze Age copper alloy chisel in worn and pitted condition, and slightly bent longitudinally. The gently flaring and blunt blade lies at the end of a round-sectioned shank. This swells to a convex break on which there are slight indications of an abrupt narrowing to a tang of uncertain cross-section. An odd object to which no good parallel has been noted. Extant length 64.5mm. Width of blade 14.5mm. Weight 18.27g. c.1600 - c.701 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shouldham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25 mm
Weight: 7.3 g
Description: Fragment of mouth of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe. Extant length 25mm. Weight 7.30g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Netherseal, South Derbyshire, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 65.7 mm
Thickness: 24.4 mm
Weight: 70.5 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy (bronze) socketed axe of Late Bronze Age dating (950 to 700 BC).



The axe is sub-rectangular in shape with a flared convex cutting edge and the socket is sub square in cross section. The socket of the axe is sub square, with an irregular mouth. The socket is 44.8 mm deep. The top edge of the socket shows little evidence of casting jets that have been trimmed flush with the socket mouth. A raised band (9.6 mm deep) is present at the level of the top of the loop beyond to the mouth of the socketed axe. The loop is well preserved and relatively small and wide with a irregular lentoid shaped cross section. It measures 14.0 mm in length and 5.4 mm wide. It is positioned below the raised band.The horizontal cast moulding is present on both faces and the edges of the axe; however this is better preserved on one face. The two long sides of the axe expand slightly along the length of the socket and terminate with an expanded blade.The blade edge has been lost through abrasion and corrosion.



The socketed axe head is a mid matt greenish brown colour with an even, well formed patina which covers most surfaces. There are several areas where this patina has been lost - probably through abrasion. Here a lighter green area can be seen, predominately around the blade edge, socket and the edge of the loop. These areas of exposed metal should be monitored for signs of active corrosion (bright greeny powdery residue). To reduce the risk of this occurring, the axe head should be stored in an dry acid-free environment, such as a sealed tupperware box, with silica gel and acid free tissue paper.



The axe measures  65.7 mm in length, 25.5 mm wide (at the socket), 31.4 mm wide (at the cutting edge), is 24.4 mm thick (socket) and 3.7 mm thick (cutting edge). It weighs 70.5 grams. 



Two similar socketed axes have been published as no 28 (probably from East Anglia) and 31 (Oundle, Northamptonshire) in Watson (1993, 6). These are considered to be Late Bronze Age in dating (Needham Period 7, c. 950 BC to c. 700 BC).



Reference:

Watson, P. 1993. Catalogue of British and European Prehistoric Metalwork in Birmingham City Museums. BAR British Series 233. Oxford.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fangfoss, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 107 mm
Weight: 166 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy socketed axehead of late Bronze Age date. The axehead is wedge shaped with a sub-circular socket at the haft end with a circumferential raised mouth moulding. Internally the socket tapers and narrows from the mouth to the cutting edge. Externally the axehead expands gently along the body before widening into the blade and cutting edge which has a slight flare towards each blade tip. To one side of the mouth just below the moulding a D-shape sectioned attachment loop is present and casting flashes remain on both sides including the loop. The surface of the axehead is undecorated.



The metal has a shiny blackish-brown patina and is worn. The axehead is 107mm long, the mouth moulding has an external diameter of 31.4mm x 30.6mm, and is 49.8mm wide at the blade. The axehead weighs 166g.



This axehead fits into the final phases of the Late Bronze Age specifically that associated with Ewart Park industrial phase.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Griston, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24 mm
Thickness: 9.5 mm
Weight: 28.99 g
Description: Fragment of an Early to Middle Bronze Age copper alloy axe, a crescentic cutting edge with an ancient break. The surfaces are pockmarked, but where patination remains it is lustrous. The edge is quite sharp where not subjected to modern scuffing. Insufficient is extant to determine whether the object was a flanged axe or a palstave. Extant length 24mm. Width 49mm. Thickness 9.5mm. c.1700 - c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Funtington, Chichester, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.2 mm
Thickness: 3.4 mm
Weight: 4 g
Description: A corroded fragment of a copper-alloy object. The sub-triangular fragment has a lenticular cross section; it appears to be the end of a sword blade and is missing its apex.



The suggested date range for this piece is Middle to Late Bronze Age (c. 1300-801 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bradfield, West Berkshire, West Berkshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 69.44 mm
Weight: 5.99 g
Description: A complete awl of possible Bronze Age or Iron Age date measuring 69.5mm. The awl has a circular central section with a pointed terminal the opposite end is flat with a rectangular section.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hameringham, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 95.44 mm
Diameter: 13.94 mm
Thickness: 1.51 mm
Weight: 32.9 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy spearhead of Middle-Late Bronze Age date, c. 1500-800 BC.



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



The blade is 'leaf-shaped', with rounded shoulders, uneven edges, and an extremely worn and rounded tip. The socket continues down the length of the blade for its entire length as a very prominent rib. The blade appears to have been considerably worn through use (and resharpening?) during its life prior to deposition.



The surface has an even green patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder