dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Podington, Bedford, Bedford (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 44.9 g
Description: A fragment of a copper-alloy socketed axehead dating to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1150 to 750 BC). The fragment comprises the wedge-shaped blade and is approximately semi-circular in plan, with a small notch taken out of one corner. It measures 58mm in length, 26mm in width and a maximum of 9mm in thickness. It weighs 44.9g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Husthwaite, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 110.5 mm
Thickness: 35.1 mm
Weight: 197 g
Description: A complete, cast copper alloy flanged axehead of middle Bronze Age date, c.1400-1250BC. The blade tapers in thickness to the edge with no edge bevel. The axehead is sub-rectangular in plan with a narrow, squared butt end. The flanges start a short way in from the butt corners and form a pointed oval shape in profile with the crest of the flange being the widest point. The exterior surfaces of the flanges are slightly concaved and no casting lines are visible. The flanges terminate approximately mid-way along the body. There is no obvious stop ridge for the handle to butt against although there is a not very pronounced curved stop on the main body just above the lower end of the wings. The blade is thicker than the septum and tapers in thickness to the crescent shaped blade with no edge bevel. The edge of the blade is slightly chipped on one side.



The axehead is undecorated and the metal has a brownish-green patina, with bronze showing in patches, on some edges and the blade.



It is 110.5mm long, 44.2mm wide at the blade, 18.9mm wide at the butt end, 35.1mm thick at flanges and 13.67mm at the middle and weighs 197g.



If compared with similar examples on this database, this axehead fits into the Middle Bronze Age phase specifically that associated with the Arreton and Acton Park metalwork assemblages. These examples can be found at SWYOR-BAA720, LANCUM-B39815, LANCUM-C126E6 and IOW-DC1AD8, all lacking the stop ridge characteristic of other axe types and with prominent cast flanges. Similar axes can be seen in Schmidt and Burgess (1981), specifically plates 36-38, Early Short Flanged Axes of Type Caverton and Type Cragg Wood.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leafield, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.46 mm
Thickness: 5.72 mm
Weight: 8.06 g
Description: 
A fragment of a Late Bronze Age copper-alloy sword. The piece has a straight, well-patinated cut at both the top and bottom ends, and a broadly lozenge-shaped cross section. The sides are parallel and slightly convex.

Notes: Oxfordshire & West Berkshire PAS Record Sheet No: P647
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leafield, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 16.76 mm
Thickness: 3.37 mm
Weight: 1.46 g
Description: A fragment of a Middle to Late Bronze Age copper alloy axe, consisting of part of the blade and edge. c. 1200-800 BC. No photograph.
Notes: Oxfordshire & West Berkshire PAS Record Sheet No: P649B
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leafield, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23.11 mm
Weight: 24.78 g
Description: 
A copper-alloy butt of a palstave axe, dating to the Middle Bronze Age. From the break, at the base, the rectangular cross section tapers towards the wedge-shaped top. The surface of each of the side edges is decorated by a right-angled ridge.

Notes: Oxfordshire & West Berkshire PAS Record Sheet No: P675
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Woodmancote, Horsham, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 66.67 mm
Height: 28.81 mm
Thickness: 19.01 mm
Weight: 153 g
Description: An incomplete Bronze age palstave axe head,  c.1200-801 BC. No further details recorded.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leafield, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.45 mm
Thickness: 11.16 mm
Weight: 30.71 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy palstave axe, dating to the Middle to Late Bronze Age date (1500-1150 BC). The fragment is the butt end of the palstave, with the raised flanges of the edges of the axe retained.
Notes: Oxfordshire & West Berkshire PAS Record Sheet No: P725
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leafield, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 17.7 mm
Thickness: 5.2 mm
Description: A possible Bronze Age or Iron Age copper alloy bead, which has suffered corrosion. It is sub-lozenge-shaped in cross section. Has an internal measurement of 9mm.
Notes: Oxfordshire & West Berkshire PAS Record Sheet No: P739
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wold Newton, North East Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40.81 mm
Thickness: 5.08 mm
Weight: 29.33 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy palstave fragment of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1500-1200 BC). The fragment is approximately triangular in profile and rectangular in section. The blade end survives intact but has corroded surfaces with some encrustation and a  mid-brown to green patina. The sides of the palstave taper inwards from the ends of the blade, before terminating in an old break. This fragment is probably from a palstave, although it could potentially be from the tip of a socketed axe head or a small chisel. 



Similar examples recorded on the PAS database include: SF-AE99A4 and PUBLIC-0A5278.



The overall dimensions are as follows: 40.81mm in length, 29.77mm in width, 5.08mm in thickness and 29.33g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42 mm
Diameter: 2.7 mm
Weight: 1.72 g
Description: 
Copper alloy probably Bronze Age awl/point that is a long thin rod with a sub-circular cross section. The forward half of the rod tapers to a fine off centre point; the rear portion of the rod is marked by a slight step at about the central point that leads to a narrow shaft that would form the tang of the artefact. The narrowed tang is truncated just after the step, the surface of the snap is uneven suggesting it was snapped.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 6.33 g
Description: Copper alloy Bronze Age knife fragment from a tanged knife consisting of the top of the tang and lower portion of the blade. The tang is a narrow rectangular tab 2mm thick and 11.5mm wide, the terminal of which is now truncated, one side of the tang has a small semi-circular notch where a rivet would have secured the handle, the other side has been damaged by corrosion which has removed any detail. The blade has a low flat central spine that runs down from the tang on both faces of the knife, this is flanked by double bevelled sides that create a narrow edge. The forward portion of the knife is truncated.



A number of similar objects are recorded on the PAS database as DOR-FAC625, WILT-83A428, SF-4CB1D2, and BERK-AB297D- the first two demonstrating a rivet hole in the tang, and the last two with notched sides for attachment.



Dot Boughton comments in reference to the DOR record cited above that; 'Burgess and Gerloff include a blade of similar shape and size in their Group II (Damaged Blades Modified for Rehafting), p. 36ff. Its their no. 248 from Marston Trussel, Northamptonshire which is c. 12.6cm long and 2.1cm wide. It is described as "Tanged blade, either a knife made in this form or possibly a dirk with butt cut down for rehafting, in which case the torn rivet hole would have been secondary; rather won brown green surfaces with some patches of bright green corrosion; edges worn and chipped." Plate 32, no 248.'
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Selby, Selby, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 85.4 mm
Thickness: 10.8 mm
Weight: 118.1 g
Description: An incomplete developed flat axe with hammer raised flanges, of later Early Bronze Age dating (about 2000 BC to 1700 BC).



The axehead is broadly rectangular, with an incomplete expanded crescent shaped blade. The butt is narrow and incomplete and measures 21.8mm in width and is 3.8mm thick. In profile the axe is a sub pointed oval with both terminals tapering. In section the axe is slightly H-shaped as the side edges of the axe have been worked to form a slight raised collar rather than having cast flanges. The flanges extend 1.0 mm above the body of the axe head. The expanded blade measures 39.6mm in width and is 2.5 mm thick at the break.



The axehead measures 85.4mm in length, has a maximum width of 39.6mm (blade), a minimum width 21.8mm (butt), and has a width of 28.3mm in the centre. It is 10.8mm thick at the central point. It weighs 118.1g



The axehead is green, with a corroded and pitted surface.



This axehead is similar to those WMID-F20D62 and is consistent with that of the Arreton type axe, of Early Bronze Age III dating, metalworking stage V, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2000 - 1700 CAL BC.



The finder has had element analysis done on the axe. The results are Cu 38.79%, Sn 35.06%, Si 15.93%, Al 4.86%, Fe 3.87%, P 1.21% Zn 0.18% and Pb 0.101%.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fransham, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 129.5 mm
Thickness: 17.7 mm
Weight: 114.38 g
Description: Middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave chisel or slender palstave in quite fresh condition but with extensive recent scuffing including on the cutting edge. Surfaces are ferrous stained. A casting seam runs down both sides from the butt end onto the start of the blade. The latter expands very slightly before flaring out to the cutting edge, one end of which has been lost to a recent break. Weight 114.38g. Length 129.5mm. Extant width 27.2mm (estimated width at cutting edge 29mm). Thickness 17.7mm. c.1600 - c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Broughton, Craven, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19 mm
Weight: 8.27 g
Description: Probably a fragment of a cast copper alloy (bronze) socketed axe. The fragment appears to consist of a portion of the cutting edge and lower blade of a late Bronze Age axe (1100 - 800 BC). The axe fragment is sub-rectangular in plan with a curved (convex) cutting edge. The sides, adjacent to the cutting edge, taper inwards towards the break. In profile the fragment is sub-triangular (wedge shaped). The patina is green. The length is 19mm, the width is 19mm and the weight 8.27g.



There are other examples on the database that have been discovered in Kingstone, Herefordshire (HESH-5AE5C8) and at Wixford, Warwickshire (WAW-2FC2AE).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2400 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Weston, North Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 15 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Description: A copper-alloy bead of uncertain date, although possibly dating from Bronze Age to Roman date (c. 2400 BC-c. AD 410). The bead is circular in plan and has a central sub-circular perforation. The outer surface of the bead is irregular due to corrosion. It measures 15mm in diameter and 8mm in thickness.



Similar beads are recorded on the PAS database with a variety of date ranges suggested, cf. LEIC-3641F5, SOM-DA2D9C, IOW-04D9D1.The patina of this object might suggest a Bronze Age date, however other comparisons date to the Roman and Iron Age period.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yapham, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 45.03 mm
Thickness: 11.23 mm
Weight: 22.75 g
Description: A fragment of a middle to late Bronze Age spearhead, dating to the period c.1550-800 BC. The fragment comprises a section of the upper part of the spearhead. It is trapezoidal in plan, the blade narrowing sharply towards the tip. A high rounded rib runs longitudinally down the centre of both sides. Each terminal ends in a worn break, and exhibits a lozengiform cross section with a pronounced buldge at the rib. At the lower terminal the cross section reveals the end section of the socket within the rib. A green patina is on the surface. The fragment has lost most of its diagnostic features and is therefore difficult to classify further, beyond a broad range of possible comparisons within Davis Groups 6-11.



The fragment measures 45.03mm in length, 27.99mm in width at its widest, 16.66mm in width at its narrowest, 11.23mm in thickness at the mid rib, and weighs 22.75g.



Cf. SWYOR-1F74C1 and SF-C557DC, which states that a high mid rib is more common on Middle Bronze Age spearheads.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Littlebourne, Canterbury, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 114.63 mm
Thickness: 15.22 mm
Weight: 115.55 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy flanged chisel of Middle Bronze Age date.



Description: It has a long rectangular blade original tapering to a curved splayed cutting edge. The blade however is broken bfore this point and is very worn. The butt end is flat and rectangular in form with prominent flanges to either side and transverse stop ridges on both front and back faces. Although this butt end is snapped a short way along the flanges and remains roughly jagged. Beneath the stop ridges the front and back faces have moulded shield-shaped decorative elements shown in counter-relief. No clear casting seam is visible down either side although this maybe due to the haeavy verdi gris corrosion. The one part of the edge visible appears to indicate some level of finishing. The surface of the chisel is heavily pitted in across much of its surface with a heavily verdigris presence. There is also substantial ware and the breaks are ragged.



Measurements: 114.63mm long, 20.72mm wide at the stop ridge, 15.22mm thick (at the flanges, 5.43mm thick at thinnest) and 115.55g in weight.



Discussion: This is a flanged chisel of Middle Bronze Age date. Similar examples are noted by Rowlands (1976: pp. 44-45, form iii, pl. 34 no. 1132), who notes that flanged chisels with shield shaped mouldings have a typological relationship with flanged axes and palstaves and are particularly concentrated in East Anglia ( a number of recent discovereies of palstaves with shield shaped mouldings in Kent may indicate a SW North-Sea zone for these types), as well as northern France. This dates the chisel to the Middle Bronze Age, c.1500-1150 BC. A more complete example from suffolk can be seen at SF-09D1D5.



Peter Reavill, FLO for Shropshire and Herefordshire comments further that "this form of relative rare flanged (palstave-like) chisel are most probably aligned with the middle phase of the Middle Bronze Age (MBA II) c. 1500-1300 BC. The overall form of these chisels is very similar to the early palstaves albeit being much more slender. If this arguement is taken then they are probably contemporary to the primary phase palstaves, Group I which has a shield shaped or trident decoration directly below the fused stop ridge on the upper part of the blade. Theses palstave axe fits best with the Acton Park II and Taunton metalworking assemblages (Needham Period 5) - both assemblages fit within Burgess's Metal Working Stage VIII and IX. Although the construction / casting date fits within this period - it is highly probable that such specific and useful tools had a long life and so their deposition could potentially be many generations after casting (i.e. deposited in the period 1000-800 BC)".
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Neolithic to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cawston, Broadland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 143 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Description: Middle Bronze Age copper alloy unlooped palstave dating to the period c. 1500 - 1150 BC. 



It has an expanded lenticular profile with faint traces of filed down longitudinal casting seams. The butt is slightly concave, possibly as a result of post-depositional damage. It exhibits a rectangular septum and straight-sided open flanges for hafting. The transverse stop ridge expands on both faces and forms the widest point of the palstave. Below, on both faces is a vertical rib which extends to the central point of the upper cutting edge. The blade has expanding sides and a convex cutting edge, now heavily worn. 



The palstave has a mottled dark grey patina largely obscured by green corrosion product and pitting. 



Early Midribbed Palstaves belongs to the Acton Park Phase II of the Middle Bronze Age, corresponding to the earlier part of Needham's (1996) Period 5, dated to 1500 - 1150BC. This example is similar to Group II - Early Midribbed Type Chepstow; similar to an example from Kilnoterie, Scotland (p127 cat no 794 plate 58, No. 789).



See: Schmidt, P. K. and Burgess, C. B., 1981. The axes of Scotland and Northern England Munchen : C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 72 mm
Diameter: 17 mm
Weight: 37.64 g
Description: Copper alloy socketed spearhead fragment that dates to the middle Bronze Age. The socket of the spearhead has a diameter of 17mm and an aperture of 12.5mm. From the base, the stem of the socket gently narrows to a 12mm diameter, at this point the stem connects with the head of the spear. Unfortunately the head is truncated resulting in only the vary base of the blades surviving, but enough survives to suggest the head would have been leaf-shaped. Halfway down the socket, on both sides, is a shallow convex projecting loop that has a very narrow rectangular aperture (currently infilled with corrosion and soil).



This artefact dates to 1500-1150BC, see WAW-DC8222 for further discussion.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Blofield, Broadland, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 130 mm
Thickness: 31.5 mm
Weight: 328 g
Description: Incomplete Middle Bronze Age copper alloy looped palstave, only the stumps of the loop surviving. Surfaces are pockmarked and some patches are iron stained. Small parts of the flanges and the butt end are missing. Extant length 130mm. Width 55mm. Thickness 31.5mm. Weight 328g. c.1600 - c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Haveringland, Broadland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 110.5 mm
Thickness: 18.2 mm
Weight: 82.7 g
Description: Incomplete Middle - Late Bronze Age socketed basal looped spearhead of Greenwell and Brewis' Class IV dating to the period c. AD 1500 - 1150.



Heavily abraded and broken into two pieces, the larger is triangular with a broadly leaf or flame-shaped blade and a tapering central socketed mid-rib. The tip of the blade and the sides are heavily abraded, however, traces of the bevelled cutting edge remain. It exhibits a jagged break across the top of the socket. Conjoined at the base of the blade are two irregular off set oval shaped loops. The smaller fragment re-joins across the line of one of the loops. The break points, though re-joining are heavily abraded.



Similar to HESH-739CE4, the record for which states:



"Similar basal-looped spearheads have been classified by Richard Davis (2006) and dated to the Middle Bronze Age. Davis has sub-classified these into classes / Types. Due to the nature of this fragment it is difficult to define as this is based solely on blade shape. The findspot of this spearhead fits outside (although near the very edge) of Davis' Severn Estuary distribution pattern (33-34). He dates these by association and limited radiocarbon dates to the final phases of Acton Park (2), and Taunton (Cemmaes) metalworking traditions (pp 49-50). These phases correspond with Needham's Period 5 (c. 1500 - 1150 BC) and make them contemporary with the more common side (string looped) spearheads Ehrenburg's Class IV."



Length of main fragment: 100.5mm, maximum width: 43.5mm, minimum width: 3.4mm, surviving diameter of socket: 18.2mm, internal diameter:15mm, weight: 76.1g.



Length of secondary fragment: 34mm, width: 15mm, thickness: 11.55mm, weight: 6.6g.
Notes: Field ref: CAW17
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cottam, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19.18 mm
Thickness: 5.99 mm
Weight: 6.61 g
Description: Copper-alloy fragment from a Bronze Age axehead (c. 2350 - 801 BC). The fragment is from the corner of the socket of an axehead and has a thick rounded rim along the top edge. The fragment is light green in colour. Unfortunately, not enough remains to be able to assign this axehead to a type or closer date range. The fragment is 19.18mm in length, 14.50mm in width and 5.99mm in thickness. It weighs 6.61g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cottam, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57.37 mm
Weight: 183 g
Description: Three lumps of copper-alloy casting waste found in same area as two Bronze Age hoards and therefore possibly associated (YORYM-D2333A and YORYM-D028FE). Largest is 57.37mm in length, 44.33mm in width and weighs 31.14. Smallest is 24.99mm in length, 20.12mm in width and weighs 183g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stanton St. John, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 170.3 mm
Thickness: 27.5 mm
Weight: 509 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy early phase palstave dating to the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1500-1300 BC): The blade of the palstave is sub-trapezoidal in plan with slightly concave sides, flared blade tips, and no side loop. The cutting edge is slightly abraded on one edge although this appears to cut through the patina suggesting post-depositional damage. The sides of the blade are concave in plan, and this curvature stops at the junction of the blade and flange side. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the widest section being before the stop ridge. The stop ridge has a small hole before it on one side, a probable casting flaw. There is a slight midrib down the centre of the blade on either side.



This palstave is particualrly similar to examples illustrated by Rowlands (1976: plate 29) all categoristed as his type 2 (side flanged) form dating to c. 1400-1150 cal BC. There are also good parallels illustrated by Schmidt and Burgess (1981: plate 58) which correspond to their Group 2 (early Mid ribbed). They suggest this form is one of the earlier tpyes dating to the Acton Park to Taunton Phase of the bronze Age c.1500-1250 cal BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hanworth, North Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 139 mm
Thickness: 20.5 mm
Weight: 471 g
Description: Early - Middle Bronze Age copper alloy flanged axehead of Needham's (1983) Type 5a dating to the period c. 1700 - 1500 BC. It exhibits a narrow butt (23mm in width, 3mm in thickness). The body is slender and expands along its length to a width of 51.8mm. The sides exhibit high, inward-curved flanges forming a lenticular profile (maximum thickness 20.5mm, tapering to 12.5mm at the top of the blade). Most of the surface is now heavily corroded and pitted, however, one flage retains traces of decoration in the form of a series of punched chevrons. It is probable that this decoration originally covered the extent of both flanges.



The blade expands obliquely from either side of the axehead at the point the flanges terminate, forming a crescentic cuttring edge (width: 97.5mm). This has been somewhat aberaded and is now obscured somewhat by corrosion product.



It has a curved bevel or ridge about halfway down the septum (c.52mm from the butt), which is marginally lower than the flanges, but indicates the beginnings of stop ridge technology as is seen on later flanged axes and palstaves. This is clearer on the better preserved face of the axehead. A second curved ridge has been hammered into both faces at the blade expansion.



See: Needham, S.P., 1983 The Early Bronze Age Axeheads Of Central and Southern England Cardiff : Unpublished Phd Thesis
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Haveringland, Broadland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 18 g
Description: Fragment of leaded bronze middle Bronze Age rapier. No original edges remain but there is a pronounced mid-rib along the full length, bar a short section towards the hilt where it feathers out. One fracture edge at the upper hilt end shows the half-round remains of a rivet hole, with a possible second on the adjacent edge. Mid green Patina. Extant length 70mm, width 20mm, thickness 4mm at mid-rib, weight 18g. Circa 1400 BC-1250 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 44.56 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed looped axehead fragment. Only the bottom part with the cutting edge remains. The fragment has no discernible decoration. Ewart Park phase attribution, probably a South Eastern type. Dates to between c900 to c750 BC.



The length is 35mm, width 35mm, thickness 13mm, and the weight 44.56g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Merton, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Height: 83.7 mm
Thickness: 12.9 mm
Weight: 346.5 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy annular bracelet/arm-ring probably of Bronze Age date 1400 - 1300 BC. The Liss-type bracelet is solid and oval in section and in good condition with brown patina. The body is decorated with incised or engraved panels which are relatively deep and have been applied with some degree of care. The complex decoration comprises of panels of lines or rows of stacked chevrons creating a herringbone pattern separated by 'dividing' sections of 10 or more lines of vertical bands (to the circumference of the bracelet-arming). The three central panels are comprised of 8 or 9 horizontal bands that widen to create an oval, the centre of which are decorated with 6 vertical bands.



As an oval, the external diameter is 95.5mm by 83.7mm with an internal diameter of 66.8mm by 52.1mm and a width of 12.9 mm. A comparison on the database is: SUR-590F5D no.1
Notes: Similar plain and incised (Liss-type) bracelets in copper alloy are not common finds. They are known from the Taunton phase (1,400 -1,200 BC) of the Bronze Age onwards, mainly from Southern Britain. These bracelets concentrate in the southern counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and West Sussex and examples are also known from Suffolk and Norfolk. Incised decorated bracelets form part of a North European tradition, which has led to the suggestion that the examples from southern England may be imported from northern France, although this theory has been questioned (O'Connor 1980). While some of the known bracelets come from hoards containing items such as torcs, pins, axes, palstaves and other mid-Bronze Age artefacts, no other objects were found in association with this example. See Recent Metalwork Discoveries in Hampshire for a comprehensive report, published by Sally Worrell in Hampshire Studies (2002, no.1). They are comparatively rarer than tools and weapons. Similar examples were found in the Ebbesbourne Wake hoard (Moore and Rowlands 1972:63-5, Plate XV) and a hoard from Norton Fitzwarren (Needham in Ellis 1989:31-31, 36).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Duryard, Exeter, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.3 mm
Thickness: 15.5 mm
Weight: 105.4 g
Description: A fragment of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave, probably dating to c. 1500-1100 BC. The surviving fragment comprises of the upper portion of the blade, truncated below the stop ridge at the butt end and with the cutting edge also lost. Both breaks are worn and patinated. The fragment is sub-trapezoidal in plan, slightly flaring towards the cutting edge, and sub-triangular in cross section, measuring 21.5mm wide by 15.5mm thick at the butt end, and 37.3mm wide by 7.4mm thick at the cutting edge-end. The fragment is 47.3mm in length. There is the suggestion of a mid-rib on one face of the blade, but this is tentative due to abrasion.



Overall dimensions: length 47.3mm; width 37.3mm; thickness 15.5mm; weight 105.4g.



The fragment is too incomplete to be assigned to a typological group, and a broad middle Bronze Age date is suggested.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bracelet (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2500 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: High Worsall, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 69.77 mm
Thickness: 5.3 mm
Weight: 61.8 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy artefact, probably a bracelet or small arm ring, date uncertain.



Sub-circular in plan, the frame is a shallow D shape and tapers towards old breaks at both ends. One end has been bent inwards from an incomplete break at 23mm from the end. Both surfaces appear to be undecorated but there is good evidence of bronze gilding amongst the green-brown surface patination. The bracelet is 69.7mm at its widest and weighs 61.8g. The frame is 15.47mm at its widest, tapering to 8.89mm and 8.98mm at the breaks.



With no diagnostic style of terminals to assist in dating, only a broad range of Bronze Age to Roman can be ascribed, although it could equally of later date.



Similar examples can be found at LEIC-41C73D, BH-D11A31 and NARC-1C0E84.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Charleton, South Hams, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 45.3 mm
Thickness: 13.6 mm
Weight: 82.45 g
Description: An incomplete Bronze Age socketed axehead, probably dating to c. 1100-800 BC. The surviving fragment comprises only of the blade-end, only surviving between the cutting edge and the end of the internal socket. The fragment is rectangular in plan and sub-triangular when viewed in profile. The sides of the axe are broadly parallel, tapering very slightly from the cutting edge, although without flaring blade tips. The cutting edge is slightly convex. Either lateral face of the axe has a pronounced, longitudinal casting seem, creating an elongated sub-hexagonal cross section. The socket is an elongated, sub-oval in cross section and either broad face is plain.



Dimensions: length 45.3mm; width 38.9mm; thickness 13.6mm; weight 82.45g.



Although too fragmentary for a certain attribution, the fragment probably belongs to the Ewart park or Wilburton metal working groups, giving it a date of 1100-800 BC (Schmidt & Burgess 1981: 119), a similar fragment of very similar form, also from the South Hams, has previously been recorded on this database: DEV-C9D5FD.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stinsford, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 78.36 mm
Thickness: 10.21 mm
Weight: 159.11 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy flat axehead of the Early Bronze Age, dating to the period of 2200-1500 BC. It measures 78.36mm in length and 48.24mm in width. It is 10.21mm thick and weighs 159.11g. The axehead is broadly trapezoidal in shape. Its thickest point is in the middle, from where it tapers to the sides. The blade gradually widens towards the cutting edge edge. Both ends curve outwards slightly.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Miniature Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-2150 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Patching, Arun, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.6 mm
Thickness: 6.41 mm
Weight: 19.9 g
Description: Miniature axe or axe-chisel of Bronze age to Roman date (2150 BC- 410 AD). The object is similar to solid flat axes with a tapering blade, resembling a miniature version of the earliest and simplest solid cast copper alloy axe-heads. The sides are slightly curved and the blades tappers to a rounded edge. The object is broken along the wider edge.



The object has a heavily pitted light green patina.



The broad date range has been given due to the form of the object most closely resembling early Bronze age axe heads, however there are numerous examples of Roman votive deposition of such minature axe heads.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1250 to 400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Hendred, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.61 mm
Thickness: 5.52 mm
Weight: 6.2 g
Description: Bronze Age to Post Medieval (c. 1250 BC to 4th century) awl: The awl has a tang which is rectangular in section and tapers to a blunt edge. The tang is over half of the awl. The other half is square in section, tapering to a blunt, rounded point. The surface has traces of a mottled light grey-green patina.



It measures 51.61mm long, 5.98mm wide, 5.52mm thick and weighs 6.2g.



Awls can date from the Bronze Age, c. 1250 BC but as the design of awls has changed very little, it could also be much more recent. The patina perhaps suggests a Roman date, but this is not certain.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bradenham, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27 mm
Description: Haft-end fragment of late Bronze Age socketed Axehead. Full width mouth fragment comprising nearly half of the circumference. Single mouth moulding. Insufficient survives for further classification. Circa 1000-800 BC. Dimensions; 32mm at widest point, 27mm long overall.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Hendred, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.89 mm
Thickness: 7.74 mm
Weight: 14.74 g
Description: Probably Bronze Age (-1000 to -800) blade fragment: The cast copper alloy blade fragment is an elongated lozenge in cross-section with a convex surfaces. The breaks across the blade are old and rounded. The edges of the blade are slightly faceted.



The surface of the blade has an incomplete mottled dark green and brown patina which is then heavily abraded.



It measures 22.89mm long, 23.63mm wide, 7.74mm thick. It weighs 14.74 grams.



It is probably a fragment from a sword or rapier of the Late Bronze Age date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: North Kilworth, Harborough, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 64.1 mm
Thickness: 14.9 mm
Weight: 146.7 g
Description: A copper alloy lower blade fragment from a palstave dating to the Middle Bronze Age, circa 1500-1300 BC. 



The shape of the fragment is sub-triangular in plan and triangular in profile; the cross section at the break is sub-rectangular in form. The blade is broken below the stop ridge, due to this it is uncertain whether this fragment is from a looped - or unlooped palstave variant. The sides of the palstave gently taper from the break to the blade where the tips of the blade protrude markedly. The cutting edge is crescentic and relatively well defined, however it is very worn and the cutting edge is now abraded. Both faces of the axe have single central swollen ribs that extend to above the blade. 



The palstave fragment has a mid-green coloured slightly abraded patina. 



Burgess and Schmidt (1981) illustrate a number of similar palstaves in their catalogue. The closest parallels can be seen in the classification Primary shield Pattern Palstaves most probably associated with the Acton Park II and Taunton metalworking assemblages (Needham Period 5). The palstave is an early example and is classified as a Group II type which has a mid rib decoration. These group of palstaves date to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to 1500-1300 BC. There are parallels recorded on the PAS database; for example (WAW-3A6465) was discovered in the Malvern Hills area of Worcestershire. 



The palstave fragment measures 64.1 mm length, is 60.4 mm wide at the blade, 14.9 mm thick at the broken edge. It weighs 146.7 grams.



Schmidt, P. K. and Burgess, C. B., (1981) The axes of Scotland and Northern England Munchen : C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 58-59
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Longstock, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 91.86 mm
Thickness: 5.22 mm
Weight: 13.81 g
Description: A Late Bronze Age copper-alloy awl with a smooth and shiny patina.One half of the tool is square in cross section, measuring 45.26mm in length and tapers to a flattened end; the other half is circular in section, measures 46.60mm in length and tapers to a point.
Notes: 
This find was recorded at a rally and therefore the identification and photograph may not be of our usual standard.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Downton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.22 mm
Weight: 20.97 g
Description: A fragment of a late Bronze Age socketed axe dating to perhaps c. BC 1000 - 800. It consists of the side loop, a small section of the axe itself and a short section of the collar of the socket. A casting ridge is visible over the collar and along the length of the loop.



It is 33.22mm in length (from the top of the collar to the lower end of the loop, at which point the rest of the axe has broken away) and 26.58mm in width (two broken edges either side of the loop).The loop itself is 18.82mm in length, 6.55mm in width, with an oval opening (6.36mm x 4.04mm). It weighs 20.97g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Northmoor, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.5 mm
Thickness: 8.9 mm
Weight: 9.5 g
Description: A fragment of a small cast copper alloy socketed spearhead, probably of the side looped type and dating to the early Middle Bronze Age, c.1600-1400BC. Side-looped spearheads are Class IV and date from the early Middle Bronze Age. They are likely to belong to the Acton Park 2, Taunton (Cemmaes) or Penard metalwork assemblages, corresponding to Needham's (1997) Period 5 (1500-1150 BC).



Although the size of this object suggests a votive use this is not the case. Other examples of small spearheads are known including GLO-F69302, LANCUM-B72611, LANCUM-0433B7 and SWYOR-3D024E on this database.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Thornton, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.4 mm
Thickness: 11.6 mm
Weight: 45.22 g
Description: A fragment of a Late Bronze age copper alloy socketed axehead, dating from 1000 - 800 BC. The fragment consists of the tip of the axehead, and is trapezoid in shape. In cross section across the side of the axehead it is triangular in shape, narrowing towards the tip of the blade. Across the body of the axehead it is rectangular in cross section, and hollow up to where the blade starts to narrow. The edge is worn and broken, and has a large crack on one edge where more of the body is missing. Along the blade edge it is worn, and one of the corners is missing. The surface of the axehead is worn and pitted. It has a dark green patina, and there are projections of light green corrosion on one side. The fragment measures 32.4mm in length, 40.4mm in width, 11.6mm in maximum thickness, and weighs 45.22g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Smeeth, Ashford, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 66.96 mm
Thickness: 25.66 mm
Weight: 130.91 g
Description: An incomplete and slightly worn cast copper-alloy socketed axehead of Late Bronze Age date (c. 1000 - c.800 BC).



Description: The object has a narrow sub-rectangular body, slightly narrower in the middle flaring towards the blade end and slightly towards the haft end. In plan the blade is wide and flaring creating a crescentric cutting edge. What is left of the socket is socket is sub-rectangular in cross section. The socket of the axe is sub-rectangular with patinated breaks around all the sides which have removed the original end of the socket and no evidence of the original probable collar remain.The two long sides of the axe are plain and expand towards the blade end and are very slightly concave along the blade end. The casting seams on the sides of the axehead have been worked down either through hammering or filing/polishing. The blade edge has some wear but remains in good conditions. One of the wide faces has a slight decorative elongated 'H' shaped depression in it. 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 corrosion has begun to effect the axehead.



Measurements: 66.96mm long, 51.36mm wide (27.35mm wide at the butt end), 25.66mm thick and 130.91g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Somerby, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 94 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 164 g
Description: Bronze Age copper alloy flat axe, Length: 94 mm, width: 43 mm, thickness: 11 mm, weight: 164 g.



The axe is complete but is pitted with corrosion and has a rectangular form and cross section. It has a very square butt end with tapering sides and it has largely parrallel, slightly flanged edges which only taper outwards slightly before becoming the curved edge to the blade. this tapers gently in width and has a rounded edge with slightly projecting sides. There is no sign of any decoration. Its form is consistent with the Arreton developed flat axehead type, of Early to Middle Bronze Age dating (c. 1700 to c. 1500 BC). See WMID-3941D2
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1400 to -500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leighfield, Rutland, Rutland (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27 mm
Diameter: 11 mm
Weight: 2.13 g
Description: Late Bronze Age copper alloy disc- headed pin, Length: 27 mm, diameter: 11 mm, weight: 2.13 grams.



The pin is incomplete, missing its lower shaft. This is circular in cross section and widens as it reaches the head from 2mm to 3.5 mm in diameter. The head is 3 mm deep and 11 mm in diameter. It is circular in form and triangular in cross section, emerging from the shaft and widening to form a disc with a concave upper surface which contains a central circular depression. There is no decoration.



Pins of this type are hard to date as they are not often discovered within hoards. The artefact form is likely to be prevalent from the Ornament Horizon (1500 / 1400 BC) through into the Iron Age (at least until 500 BC). The form of the pin is similar to SF-509598, described as a Picardy type and dated to 1400-1250BC and is also similar to examples excavated from Flag Fen (Flag fen cat no 173-185 fig 10.9 pp274-275) these later examples have be dated through metalurgical anaylsis to the Wilburton phases of the later Bronze Age (Needham Period 6) c. 1150-1000 BC. This pin is also similar in form to SUR-3762E7, which is dated 900-600BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Thornton, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.7 mm
Thickness: 5.8 mm
Weight: 3.8 g
Description: A fragment of a Bronze Age copper alloy axehead, dating from 2500-700 BC. The fragment consists of the tip of the axehead. It is oval in cross section across the body. It is triangular in cross section down the side of the axe head, narrowing to the cutting edge. It has a dark green patina, with patches of light green and light brown corrosion. It measures 29.7mm in length, 9.3mm in width, 5.8mm in thickness and 3.80g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder