dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bletsoe, Bedford, Bedford (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 132 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 234 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy single looped palstave axe with high, protruding stopridge and incomplete preserved side loop, dating to the Mid Bronze Age (1300 to 1150BC), possibly relating to the Silsden types generally dated to the Penard. The axe is complete, except for the arch of the side loop. The body of the palstave is narrow but splays down the blade eventually flaring at the blade edge which is wide. The blade has a heavily curved faceted/bevelled cutting edge which may well have been hammered. The butt is squared, tapering with narrow flanges on both sides. The side loop is adjacent to the stop ridge and incomplete. Both sides of the blades are heavily pitted and scratched. There is green patina and iron-corrosion across the whole of the axe.



The palstave axe measures 132mm in length. The blade is 48.5mm wide and 2.5mm thick at the cutting edge and the butt 21.0mm wide and 14.0mm thick at the stop.The axe weighs 234 grams.



Similar to LANCUM-050851, the two Type Silsden side-looped palstaves can be dated to the Penard (c. 1300-1150 BC) metalwork phase of the Middle Bronze Age (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 161). They are classified within the broader 'Late Palstave' type but are typologically close to 'Transitional Palstaves' such as Type Shelf (see Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 158-160). 



Reference



Schmidt, P. K, & Burgess, C. B. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. Prähistoriche Bronzefunde IX, 7. Munich: Beck.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1100 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chirton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42.8 mm
Thickness: 16.3 mm
Weight: 21.38 g
Description: A Fragment of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead, probably dating to c. 1100-800 BC. The fragment comprises of one corner  of the socket mouth and adjacent sections of the wall of the socket. The axehead had an expanded mouth surmounting a double-stranded moulded collar. A prominent casting seem runs longitudinally down one face. All of the breaks are patinated. 



Length 42.8mm; Width 20.2mm; thickness 16.3mm; weight 21.38g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Razor (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Yapham, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59.9 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 9.9 g
Description: An incomplete copper-alloy leaf-shaped razor of middle to late Bronze Age date c.1500 BC - 800 BC. 



The razor is sub-ovate in plan with a narrow lozenge section. The edges are broken and worn leaving an irregular, jagged edge and both ends terminate in worn breaks. A slight curve is present to one end.



The metal has a delaminated dark brown/green patina and is worn. The object is 59.9mm long, 22.1mm wide, 2.5mm thick and weighs 9.9g.



Similar objects have been recorded on the PAS database including SWYOR-A48EE1, NCL-71EF23, DOR-EBFA4D, SUR-E3AEB2 and SF-25A20A. Also see NMS-EAED71 for a complete example.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 75.2 mm
Thickness: 39.1 mm
Weight: 750 g
Description: 
A highly corroded cast copper alloy ingot of suspected late Bronze Age date. The fragment is irregularly shaped and has a number of large vesicular voids from the casting process.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.7 mm
Thickness: 12.9 mm
Weight: 30.85 g
Description: A copper alloy fragment of a Bronze Age axe measuring 43.7mm by 25.9mm. The fragment is pelta-shaped and comprises the blade edge which flares out into a semi-circular shape with pointed tips to either side. The axehead has a hollow centre and a vesicular structure resulting from gasses released during casting can be seen in the metal at the break. Probably from a socketed type of late Bronze Age date (c. 1000 BC to 800 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84.8 mm
Thickness: 21.2 mm
Weight: 134.04 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy cast Bronze Age axehead measuring 84.8mm by 43.7mm. The blade and much of the body of the axehead, which is hollow, remain; however the butt end is lost. The blade edge flares out into a semi-circular shape with pointed tips to either side. Probably from a socketed type of late Bronze Age date (c. 1000 BC to 800 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.8 mm
Thickness: 19.8 mm
Weight: 71.2 g
Description: A copper alloy fragment of a Bronze Age axehead measuring 46.8mm by 39.7mm. The fragment comprises the blade edge which flares out into a semi-circular shape. The axehead has a hollow centre and a casting seam down either side. The side profile of the axehead has a pronounced curvature which suggests that it may have been a socketed adze. Circa 1000 BC to 800 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 99.2 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 141.65 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy flanged axe of early Bronze Age date, 99.2mm in length, with a crescentic blade, expanded flanged sides with hammered oblique ridges and no visible stop ridge. The side profile is lenticular and the surface is heavily corroded. Circa 2000-1700 BC.
Notes: 
This is a typical product of the Arreton tradition, named for the hoard found on the Isle of Wight and found mostly in SE Britain and the south coast.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: West Horsley, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25.6 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 26.54 g
Description: A fragment of an early to middle Bronze Age copper alloy flanged or palstave axehead, comprising a 25.6mm long section of the butt end. The fragment is flat in profile, with the tapering ends of parallel ridges along each side. The break is patinated and ancient.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1020)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43.3 mm
Thickness: 15.4 mm
Weight: 42.11 g
Description: A fragment of a middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave axehead, comprising a 43.3mm long section of the butt end. The fragment has a flat central section, flanked with tapering parallel ridges along each side which give it an H-shaped cross section. The break is patinated and ancient.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 51.4 mm
Thickness: 6.4 mm
Weight: 22.48 g
Description: A copper alloy ring, 51.4mm in diameter, with a lenticular cross sectional profile. The ring is slightly bent around a pair of worn areas on opposing sides suggesting use in horse harness. Such rings when found in isolation are difficult to date; this object could potentially be Bronze Age or much more recent.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shere, Guildford, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 50.3 mm
Thickness: 4.7 mm
Weight: 27.22 g
Description: A copper alloy ring, 50.3mm in diameter, with an oval cross sectional profile. Such rings when found in isolation are difficult to date; this object could potentially be Bronze Age or much more recent.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (2350 to 1600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Tuddenham, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 65 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 77.4 g
Description: Copper-alloy flanged axehead of early Bronze Age date, Needham 1983, class 5db. It has low flanges, with a very smoothly polished green surface between. Most of the edges (butt, cutting edge, much of the flanges) are fragmentary. It is smaller than usual, with a length of 65mm, width at corroded cutting edge of 32mm, maximum thickness 13mm. Weight 77.40g.



This type of flanged axehead is uncommon. Compare a larger example found in a hoard and recorded at NMGW-0B9997.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Congham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50.8 mm
Weight: 13.37 g
Description: Incomplete Late Bronze Age tanged chisel with most of the blade missing (an old break). The rectangular-sectioned tang tapers from the discoidal collar or stop with a constant width and diminishing thickness to a blunt terminal. The blade narrows slightly from the collar and then widens to the break. Between the collar and the break there is a very slight and discontinuous encircling rib, perhaps not intended to be decorative. Weight 13.37g. Extant length 50.8mm. Width (i.e. diameter of collar) 12.8mm. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Congham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54.7 mm
Weight: 4.53 g
Description: Late Bronze Age tanged awl in rather battered condition. The bent tang is square-sectioned and tapers to the proximal end. At its start the cross-section of the blade is irregularly heptagonal but becomes round before the now blunt tip. Weight 4.53g. Length 54.7mm. Width 6mm. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Hoard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: An Early Bronze Age hoard of six axes and a pierced knife.
Subsequent action: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.11 mm
Thickness: 10.5 mm
Weight: 40.61 g
Description: A copper-alloy fragment of a middle Bronze Age probably flanged axehead, dating to 1500 BC - 1100 BC. It is the sub-rectangular butt end of the axehead. It has a sub-rectangular cross-section with raised edges and thins towards the rounded end. The surfaces are heavily worn.



Cf with other clearer examples on this database: DEV-618BF7, SUR-D248E1, SF-637BD4.



Length: 37.11 mm



Width: 24.28 mm



Thickness at the break: 7.13 mm



Thickness including raised edges: 10.50mm



Thhickness at the rounded end: 3.11 mm



Weight: 40.61 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Saltford, Bath and North East Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 107 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: 27.06 g
Description: Copper alloy socketed spearhead that dates to the middle Bronze Age. The blades of the spearhead are leaf-shaped; both blades have a wide and curved base (20mm in diameter) that narrow to the pointed tip. Separating the two blades is a diamond cross-section spine/rib (7mm high in the middle) that runs the runs down the length of the head. Below the socket is circular in cross-section and expands outwards to the aperture (15mm in diameter). Halfway down the socket, on both sides, is a shallow convex projecting loop that has a very narrow rectangular aperture (3.5mm long by 1.5mm wide)





Similar spears are HESH-CFC925, HESH-CE6980 and WAW-DC8222. These records note that similar looped spearheads have been classified by Margaret Ehrenberg as Class IV dated to the Middle Bronze Age, specifically the second phase of Acton Park (2), Taunton (Cemmaes) or Pennard metalworking traditions. These phases correspond with Needham's Period 5 (c. 1500 - 1150 BC).



WAW-DC8222 also comments that the loops on socketed spearheads would have originally been used to help attach and secure the spearhead to the wooden shaft. They also may have been used as suspension loops for some form of tassel or decoration.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stratton Audley, Cherwell, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 168 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight: 463 g
Description: A copper alloy palstave axe that has a wide curved blade. The sides of the axe are concave and taper from the blade to the middle of the axe each side is slightly expanded with a low ridge running down either edge no both the front and back sides. The stop ridge is positioned three-quarters of the way down from the blade, this is shallow with deep flanged sides behind that run almost the whole length of the rear third.  On the side of the axe is a low oval loop that is adjacent to the stop ridge. 



Middle Bronze Age 1500 BC – 1150
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cholsey, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 23 g
Description: A fragment of the blade from a late middle to late Bronze Age socketed spear, 36mm in length. The blade was originally probably leaf shaped and has a pronounced rib with lozengiform cross sectioned profile 9mm thick. Possibly of pegged or looped type. Circa 1400 BC - 800 BC.
Notes: 
Recorded from details emailed by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Scabbard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Little Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.1 mm
Thickness: 11.5 mm
Weight: 19.02 g
Description: Copper-alloy 'bag-shaped' scabbard chape, dating to the Late Bronze Age, c. 1000-800BC. 



The chape is rounded on the lower edge and flared slightly in thickness.The interior is hollow and upper edge of the front face is damaged. The thickness of the walls is approx. 1.5mm. Both the front and back edges are broken, so that only the lower portion of the chape remains. 



The slightly longer back face has two drilled holes present (likely to attachment to a belt), each with an approximate diameter of 2.1mm.



The patina is mostly worn, with some patches of smoother copper-alloy of a dark brown colour. The wron areas are light green in colour.



Dimensions: weight: 19.02g, length: 28.1mm, width: 41.2mm, thickness: 11.5mm
Notes: These chapes are associated with the 'carp's tongue complex' of south-east England and date to the Ewart Park metalworking phase. See also NARC-5DEF37, WILT-D4F151 for similar examples
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penn, Chiltern, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 41.1 mm
Weight: 10.12 g
Description: An incomplete Middle Bronze Age side-looped spearhead dating from to c. 1550-1400 cal BC. Only the socket and side loops survive the blade being entirely missing to an old abraded break. 



The surviving fragment of the spearhead comprises a hollow cylinder copper that narrows down its length. It lowest point has its widest diameter (c.12.5mm diameter) and its upper end its narrowest (c.7.0mm diameter). Both these ends are broken the lower one being more irregular. Note that the upper break is the point from which the spear head would have extended. Two side loops project from either side of the socket. Each loop projects c.3.1mm from the side of the socket, is 10.6mm long, 2.8mm wide and creates a sub-oval loop c.4.3mm by 2.2mm..



The spearhead fragment is a medium green colour and quite abraded. Traces of a casting seam remaining along the length of one side of the spearhead, running contiguous with the side loop, while traces of one extend from the opposite side loop but are far more worn.



The fragment is 41.1mm long, 15.5mm wide, from the edge of one side loop to the other, the plate metal has a maximum thickness of 1.2mm. The fragment weighs 10.12 grams.



Side-looped spearheads are Greenwell and Brewis'  (1909) Class IV which they date to the early Middle Bronze Age. Davis (2012) has recently provided a more thorough typology of Bronze Age spearheads in Britain in which he dates side looped forms to The Acton Park Phase (1550-1400 cal BC) (Davis 2012: 108) with the suggestion that in some areas this use may be extended slightly into the Taunton Phase (Davis 2012: 108) (1400-1250 cal BC) their exact position in these periods being dependent on the form of the blade. This portion of the spear being missing a date of c. 1550 to 1400 cal BC is most appropriate (following Needham et al. 1997).
Notes: 
Thanks to Dot Boughton for help with this ID.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Coleshill, Chiltern, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.8 mm
Thickness: 4.9 mm
Weight: 5.4 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy awl of probable Late Bronze Age date (c.1150-800 cal BC).



The awl's body is square in cross section (5.1x4.9mm). One end narrows relatively quickly (over c.10.1mm.) to a soft point that is tall (1.9mm) and thin (0.7mm). The opposite end narrows over a far longer distance (over c.20.4mm). This length of thw awl is bent slightly downwards and ends in a soft (square sectioned) point.



The awl is a medium green colour and slightly abraded.



The awl is 53.8mm long, 5.1mm wide and 4.9mm thick. It weighs 5.40 grams



Awls were a range of rod-like tools that were usually round sectioned and pointed at one end, and rectangular sectioned with a square or chiselled edge at the other (Rowlands 1976 48). Referred to as "pointed punches" by Coles (1963-64 117). They were presumably used for perforating leather, but it was once suggested that they were used for tattooing human skin.  Plain awls are difficult to date but most are probably from the Late Bronze Age. They are generally considered to be Later Bronze Age in date (c.1600-800 cal BC) however, as a functional object the form of the awl barely changes from the Bronze Age to Medieval periods and a selection of broadly comparable awls are recorded in Ottaway and Rogers (2002). Similar examples on the PAS database are numerous and include SUR-398CA4, OXON-FC5735, PUBLIC-E1E3A8 and DOR-03E430
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Netherseal, South Derbyshire, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 77.1 mm
Diameter: 8.6 mm
Weight: 13.3 g
Description: An incomplete probable Awl or possible arrowhead of probable Bronze Age date (900 BC to 600 BC).



The probable awl has a conical terminal, with a thin rectangular tang. The concial terminal has a sharp point and a circular cross section. It measures 42.3 mm long and has a maximum thickness of 8.6 mm. The tang is 35.6 mm long and has a maximum thickness of 2.7 mm.



All together, the probable Awl measures 77.1 mm in length, with a maximum diameter of 8.6 mm. It weighs 13.3 g.



The probable Awl is a dark green colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrason, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil has resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. 



A similar probable Awl has been recorded on the PAS database as WMID-B6A4E7.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Weston-in-Gordano, North Somerset, North Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 127 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 40.73 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy tanged spearhead of Early Bronze Age (Arreton industry) date (1700-1500 BC). The blade, although missing its tip, is lanceolate in shape (being broadly triangular in plan). There is a pronounced central spine on both faces which is triangular in form having a wide base at the tang that narrows to the tip of the spear. To either side of the spine is a low rib that is flanked by a shallow concave channel. Finally, the edges of the blade are heavily damaged by corrosion. The long and thin tang in broadly rectangular in cross-section with rounded corners, the end of the tang is truncated as a result of corrosion. 



The following is taken from record DUR-2372A1



This form of spearhead is relatively rare with only 47 examples recorded in the recent volume British Bronze Age Spearheads (Davis 2012). This form of spearhead corresponds with Davis's (2017) Group I form and of Arreton Down metalworking dating to the latest part of the Early Bronze Age, (Early Bronze Age III) which correspondes to Needham's (1996) Period 4 dated c. 1700 - 1500BC and Burgess's Metalworking stage VII. Two similar examples of Arreton metalworking tradition spearheads are recorded on the PAS database from Penllyn, Vale of Glamorgan (NMGW-0BF252) and Shalfleet, Isle of Wight (IOW-221956).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 154.8 mm
Thickness: 28.9 mm
Weight: 359 g
Description: A copper alloy Middle Bronze Age palstave of South Western type dating to the Taunton/Penard phase (c. 1400 - 1100 BC).



The blade is slightly damaged at both corners, giving it a slightly triangular, truncated appearance, as opposed to its original flaring design. It is now 40.9mm wide at the blade. From this wide point, the blade tapers and becomes more slender and rectilinear, with a marked raised central rib on both faces. This rib is damaged, but the scar indicating its presence is visible where the raised rib itself is missing. It measures 8.2mm wide, and is 60.4mm in length. This rib joins the thickened stop, which is rounded in cross section, akin to two plano-convex shapes adhered to one another at the central point. The stop is 24.2mm wide, and 28.5mm thick. The septum, which is 53.4mm in length, continues to taper from the stop, with the channel between its two raised sides markedly rounded in appearance, with a rounded end where it joins the stop. One of these sides is badly damaged and almost missing. However, when viewed from the side, these two sides create a triangular shape which tapers to its narrowest angle at the butt. The butt is damaged. Possible casting lines are visible, suggesting the palstave may have been unfinished when it was deposited. 



Matt Knight has commented on a similar example: "Palstaves of this type are typically found across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, as well as further eastwards in Dorset and Wiltshire. One particularly comparable example is a single find from Ashburton, Devon (Pearce 1983, 432-3, No.184, pl.23), though examples with varying decorations are also present in several hoards from Somerset (e.g. Sherford, Taunton Union Workhouse and Edington Burtle)."



Measurements: 154.8mm length, 40.9mm width, 28.9mm thickness, weight 359g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle, Purbeck, Dorset ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.1 mm
Thickness: 7.9 mm
Weight: 11.8 g
Description: A fragment of a blade, possibly from a dirk or rapier, dating to the Middle Bronze Age, c. 1500-1200 BC.



The fragment is sub-triangular in shape, and is from near the point of the blade. It is broken just at the tip, and where the blade would have continued to the hilt. It is lozengiform in cross section, but the central midrib is markedly higher on one side than another, which is near flattened. The surface is now pitted and a dark greenish black in colour. 



DOR-772FCD is a similar example on the database, as is NARC-DFA5EB.



Measurements: 24.1mm length,  19.9mm width, 7.9mm thickness, weight 11.8g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -2000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Cullompton, Mid Devon, Devon ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 83.1 mm
Thickness: 5.6 mm
Weight: 46.5 g
Description: A copper alloy flat axehead of Migdale type, dating to the Early Bronze Age, c. 2200-2000 BC.



The axehead has a long slender butt, tapering gently to the flared blade. It is rectangular in cross section, although the blade narrows to its original cutting surface. It appears undecorated but the surface is pitted and marked across the dark green shiny patina. There is a small area on one side near the blade which has decayed in a different manner, and is now a far brighter green and much more corroded, although there are no signs of bronze disease or ongoing decay. 



It is similar to CORN-68C636, the record for which states that:



Similar slender flat axeheads with straight-sided butt ends can be seen in records CORN-6C605C, DENO-93FB17, SUR-E3F467, LANCUM-6507C2, and SOMDOR-C71623 on the database.



These axes all fit within the earliest phases of metal working in Britain, metalworking stage II, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 2 (c.2350-2050 cal BC).... 



Knight, Ormrod & Pearce (2015: 87, no. 3, 11, 213) illustrate the latest slender Migdale type of flat axes to be recorded in the South West from Boscastle in Cornwall, Bishop's Tawton in Devon and Burton in Dorset."



Measurements: 83.1mm length, 29.9mm width (blade), 14.9mm width (butt), 5.6mm thickness, weight 46.5g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Colwall, County of Herefordshire, County of Herefordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 13 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Weight: 4.15 g
Description: A copper alloy axe blade fragment that would have had a wide curved blade, but now only one tip and part of the curving cutting edge remains. The remaining side of the blade is concave.   In total less than about 5% of the original artefacts remains.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Overstone, Daventry, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.02 mm
Diameter: 14.21 mm
Thickness: 2.02 mm
Weight: 11.3 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy Spearhead of Middle Bronze Age date (1550-1400 BC). The object is a side-looped spearhead. The retained portion is composed of the socket and side loops while the blade is missing due to an old abraded transverse break. 



The retained portion of the objected comprises a hollow cylinder which narrows toward the blade end. There is a split along the length of the shaft which is irregular and possibly due to miss casting. There is a casting seam on both sides of the object in line with side loops. 



Two side loops project from either side of the socket and there is a slight rib running on both upper and lower surfaces between 



Length: 39.02mm, Width: 14.95mm, Thickness: 2.02mm, Diameter (socket): 14.21mm, Diameter (blade end): 10.32mm, Weight: 11.3g



The metal is mid-green in colour with a slightly pitted patina. 



Side-looped spearheads are Greenwell and Brewis' (1909) Class IV which they date to the early Middle Bronze Age. Davis (2012) has recently provided a more thorough typology of Bronze Age spearheads in Britain in which he dates side looped forms to The Acton Park Phase (1550-1400 cal BC) (Davis 2012: 108) with the suggestion that in some areas this use may be extended slightly into the Taunton Phase (Davis 2012: 108) (1400-1250 cal BC) their exact position in these periods being dependent on the form of the blade. This portion of the spear being missing a date of c. 1550 to 1400 cal BC is most appropriate (following Needham et al. 1997).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1550 to 350)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Askham Bryan, York, York (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 18.8 mm
Thickness: 3.4 mm
Weight: 4.9 g
Description: An incomplete piece of copper-alloy casting waste of middle Bronze Age to early Roman date, c.1550 BC – c.AD 350. It is likely to be from the neck (funnel / well) of a composite probably two part mould.



The object has an irregular sub-circular dished plate with the remains of two curved ovate jets projecting from one side. Both jets taper to faceted terminals which suggest they were cut transversely. A seam extends between the two jets.



The upper surface of the dished plate is pitted and rough. This surface is commonly seen where the metal is poured into the neck of the mould and shrinks on cooling. 



The metal has a dark brown patina and is worn. The object is 18.8mm long, 16.7mm wide, 3.4mm thick (11.1mm thick including jets) and weighs 4.9g.



Due to the lack of context and the continuation of casting styles this artefact could be dated from the Iron Age to Medieval period (c. 800 BC - AD 1500). Casting waste is difficult to date in isolation but the patina and form are suggestive of a Bronze Age - Roman date. The survival of casting waste in this period is relatively rare as it is usually recycled as a bi-product of casting.



Similar examples on the PAS database include LVPL-F7963B, LVPL-3AAD50 and HESH-B55DB1.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bramdean and Hinton Ampner, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 15.6 mm
Thickness: 3.2 mm
Weight: 0.7 g
Description: A cast copper alloy fragment of the edge of the blade from a Bronze Age axehead of uncertain type. The fragment has a curved edge and a triangular cross section. It is 15.6mm in length and 5.3mm wide with a heavy blue-green patination.
Subsequent action: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Object: Penannular Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1150)
Material: Gold 
Found: Caistor St. Edmund, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 12.7 mm
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 2.8 g
Description: Description: Penannular ring of probable Bronze Age date, probably from a composite ring. It is C-shaped in cross-section, with a convex outer and a concave interior. The width of the ring is very consistent but the two ends do not sit quite in line, as if the ring has been slightly bent out of shape. There is a c. 1.5mm gap between the two ends, one of which is slightly incurved and the other slightly outcurved, as if they once joined. The top and bottom edges are neat and parallel, but one is more highly polished than the other, which has a narrow roughened strip by its edge, perhaps keying for solder or perhaps the remains of gold solder.



Dimensions: Diameter 12.7mm, width of ring 5.3mm, thickness of ring 2.1 to 2.4mm, weight 2.8g. 



Discussion: Although penannular rings are well known Bronze Age finds, they normally have circular cross-sections, or sometimes D-shaped. C-shaped cross-sections are unusual, and are normally found on composite rings made from multiple bands soldered together; there is some evidence that this ring may once have been part of a soldered-together composite ring. Although the band widths on composite rings are usually much thinner than this example, the widest composite rings recorded on the PAS database are WILT-788C7B (2019T253) and ESS-71DFE4 (2014T169), where the individual bands are respectively almost 4mm wide, and 4.5mm wide. 



Date: Penannular rings belong to the middle Bronze Age, c. 1300-1150 BC.
Notes: As the object is made of more than 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old, it constitutes potential Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.
Subsequent action: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-2350 to 43)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Droitwich Spa, Wychavon, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 62.11 mm
Thickness: 9.49 mm
Weight: 68.82 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy unidentified object probably dating to the Bronze Age or Iron Age (c. 2350 BC to 43 AD). The object is roughly cross-shaped with a rectangular cross-section. All four points of the object terminate in worn breaks. The upper and lower faces of the object are flat and bear no traces of decoration. The object is very worn and has a light green patina. No comparable objects have been found on the PAS database to date. 



The overall dimensions are as follows: 62.11mm in length, 33.01mm in width, 9.49mm in thickness and 68.82g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2100 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Boarstall, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84.16 mm
Thickness: 9.42 mm
Weight: 96 g
Description: A complete Early Bronze Age cast copper-alloy&nbsp;flat axehead, dating to 2350-1600 BC.&nbsp;

The axehead is convex on both the front and reverse, creating a pointed oval profile.&nbsp; In cross-section, the cutting edge and butt are also pointed oval, whilst the body is rectangular.&nbsp; The axe is narrowest at the butt and&nbsp;gradually expands into the body before widening abruptly to meet the cutting edge, which is curved with splayed outer sides.&nbsp; Overall, it has a&nbsp;yellowy-brown patina&nbsp;with green mottling and patches of dark red-brown.&nbsp; The axe has&nbsp;extensive pitting on all faces.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Measurments:&nbsp;length: 84.16mm, width of head: 47.92mm, width of terminal: 15.64mm, maximum thickness: 9.42mm, thickness of blade edge: 2.05mm, thickness of terminal edge: 1.47, weight: 96g.

Measurements recorded following Needham&nbsp; et al. (2017) would suggest this axehead fits classes 3f-4E. Of those illustrated by this text it most closely resembles a class 4c from.&nbsp;The axe is also comparable in form to the Class 4A-Caxes from the Brithdair metalwork assemblage (Rohl and Needham, 1998:123, fig. 24, no.31) and those from the Willerby metalwork assemblage (Rohl and Needham, 1998:125, fig.26, nos. 53, 58).&nbsp; This would place the axe in the period between 2100-1700 BC.&nbsp; Similar examples can be seen on the database:&nbsp;LANCUM-2BBD52, DENO-830FF8 and LANCUM-589F64.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -950)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Clifton Hampden, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 140 mm
Thickness: 30.5 mm
Weight: 353 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy Middle Bronze Age late looped palstave axehead dating to the Wilburton Industry (Needham Period 6, 1150-950 BC). 



The body of the axhead is roughly sub-rectangular in shape before flattening and flaring outwards to form a wide rounded blade edge and blade tips with slight cutting bevel along the blade edge. A pronounced stop ridge divides the haft from the blade end. Below this the edges narrow slightly and both faces are decorated with three raised longitudinal ribs that extend approximately a third of the way along each of the blade faces. The haft comprises just under half the length of the axehead with pronounced raised edges on either side, sections of which are broken or damaged in palces, that widen in profile to join the stop ridge. The flanges and end of the butt are broken but would have formed an H-shape cross-section. The result is a broadly sub-lozenge-shape profile that expands at the stop-ridge and arrows along the length of the blade. The casting flashes extending along the centre of each side are pronounced at the butt end and visible on each side of the blade but are much more worn. The loop, bridging the stop-ridge on one side, is lozenge-shape in cross-section and sits in line with the casting flash that extends along its surface.



All surfaces of the axehead have a relatively consistent mid-green and brown patina.



The axe measures 140mm in length. The blade is 40mm wide and 1.8mm thick at the cutting edge. The stop is 23mm wide and 30.5mm at its thickest, and the butt is 22.2mm wide and 7.5mm thick. The entire object weighs 353 grams.



This palstave has features causing it to sit between several types. For example Schmidt and Burgess (1981: plate 59, no 815)  illustrate a similar example defined as a group 3 low flanged palstave sleaford type, which has a flared broader blade than this example, the short but narrow form is also similar to transtional types, although these tend to have plainer, if any decoration, while a very similar late example (plate 67 no.928) is identical albeit this example lack the diagnoasic projecting stop ridge typical of late palstaves. It maytherefore appropriate to suggest that this form may date from the as early as group 3 palstaves (c.1400 cal BC) into the Late Bronze Age wilburton period (1200-1000 cal BC) until a parallel within a hoard is identified. Rowlands (1976) does not illustrate any similar examples but focusses primairly on Middle bronze age forms which support a transtional/Late Bronze Age date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Odiham, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28 mm
Weight: 3.8 g
Description: A heavilly corroded copper alloy fragment from the blade of a dirk or rapier of Middle Bronze Age (c 1500-1100 BC) date. The fragment is 28mm in length and 22.5mm in width, with no evident midrib.
Notes: 
Recorded from details emailed by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Oving, Chichester, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 190 mm
Weight: 416 g
Description: A complete later Middle Bronze Age (MBA II, c.1400 - 1200 BC) early Primary Phase palstave of Group III, with ornamented faces and a trident below the stop ridge. The palstave has a well developed stop with high flanges along the sides. The septum has three moulded parallel ridges within it. The blade is wedge-shaped, with straight sides and flares to approximately 70mm in width with a slightly curved cutting edge. Each face of the blade has a vertical rib running down the middle, forming a trident where it intersects with a semi-eliptical ornament below the stop.
Notes: This example is very similar to one from Harston, Cambridgeshire published in Evans (1881), p78, Fig 60. It probably belongs to the Taunton metalworking tradition, phase VIII / IX, which corresponds to Needham’s (1996) Period 5 1 (500-1150 CAL. BC).



Recorded from details emailed by the finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Breamore, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.7 mm
Thickness: 18.4 mm
Weight: 42.04 g
Description: A copper alloy casting sprue, possibly of Bronze Age date. The sprue is an inverted sub-conical piece of copper alloy, with a wide, subrectangular break at the base. 



Length 34.7mm; Width 25.7mm; Thickness 18.4mm; weight 42.04g.
Notes: 
Awaiting precise find spot from finder

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Amersham, Chiltern, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.2 mm
Thickness: 6.5 mm
Weight: 8.55 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper-alloy mid to late Bronze Age spearhead (c. 1500-800 BC). The fragment is a small part of the head and pointed, now worn and rounded, tip. It is lozenge-form in cross-section with a pronounced midrib extending longitudinally along the central axis of the body. The blades either side thin towards the worn rounded edges, and all of these, as well as the tip and broken lower edge, are damaged and abraded. There are some areas of lamination across the surfaces that have light-green patination but otherwise the rest of the surfaces are mid-green in colour.



The fragment measures 37.2mm in length, a maximum of 13.8mm in width and 6.5mm in thickness, and weighs 8.55 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Boarhunt, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.47 mm
Height: 13.67 mm
Weight: 61.38 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper-alloy axehead, probably a socketed axehead dating to the Late Bronze Age period (c.1100-800BC).  



The object is trapezoidal in plan, triangular in profile and sub-rectangular in cross-section.  It is comprised of a small portion of the body that expands into a slightly flared crescentic blade, which retains a blunt but bevelled edge.  The front and back faces of the axehead are marginally convex, whereas the sides are flat.  



The axehead has a bright light green patina with extensive surface pitting.  At the broken end it has light brown corrosion, which creates a marked textural change on the object; small patches of this corrosion can also be seen on the front and back faces and also one side.



Similar in form to Rohl and Needham (1998:134), fig.36, no. E and OXON-C31839.



Dimensions: length: 37.47mm, width: 35.36 - 28.49mm, height: 13.67 - 29.95mm, weight: 61.38g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Coffinswell, Teignbridge, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 51.1 mm
Thickness: 2.69 mm
Weight: 5.87 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper-alloy blade, possibly from knife or dagger and likely dating to the middle-late Bronze Age period (c.1400-800BC).  



The object is triangular in plan and in cross-section forms a shallow triangle.  It consists of two portions: a pointed blade tip that widens into the remaining small portion of the body and a terminal end, formed by the body then narrowing to a short neck before expanding out to form a sub-circular terminal end; it is not discernable whether the neck and sub-circular terminal are designed features e.g. notches or due to extensive corrosion.  The reverse of the object is flat but the front has as central rib with a bevelled edge either side, which meet the long edges of the blade. 



The blade is dark grey in colour with patches of light grey and also a small amount of red patina.  It is very worn, particularly around the terminal portion and also has extensive surface pitting.  



Broadly similar to: BERK-AB297D, LIN-E29A32, SUR-D3C182.



Dimensions: total length: 51.10mm, width: 1.80 - 15.54mm, thickness: 2.69mm, weight: 5.87g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Barbed And Tanged Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1275 to -1140)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wisbech, Fenland, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32 mm
Thickness: 4.18 mm
Weight: 2.59 g
Description: A possible incomplete cast copper-alloy barbed and tanged arrowhead, likely dating to the Early to Middle Bronze Age period (c.1275-1140BC).



The object is comprised half of the arrowhead's body, the tang and one barb.  It has a convex front and a flat reverse, creating a broadly semi-circular profile, which suggests it was cast in a single-piece mould.  The long outer edge is rounded whereas the edge that runs between the tang and the barb is mitred, creating approximately a parallelogram shaped tang and sub-triangular shaped barb.



The arrowhead has extensive deep pitting over both faces but particularly on the reverse.  It is dark grey-green in colour with patches of white and red on both faces.



Broadly similar to: LEIC-13A0FE, ESS-A41D75, WMID-CE6A76, NARC-F9B223.



Dimensions: length: 32.00mm, width: 22.78mm, thickness: 4.18mm, weight: 2.59g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Finger Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1500 to 100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Twyford and Thorpe, Melton, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 35 mm
Weight: 29.46 g
Description: A possible bronze age coiled/spiral finger ring. Similar object have been found and dated to the Bronze Age and Iron Age through to the Roman period. 



The object had a shiny dark green patina and it was clear to see the terminal ends had some etch decoration. It is circular and comprised of a single wire shaped into three coils. Unfortunately, over time out of the ground the patina has started to flake off very easily leaving what appears to be a tarnished and pitted finish in a lighter grey colour.



Similar records:



SUR-590F5D

SF-4497E7

SWYOR-50CC3C

PUBLIC-33D35F



Weight: 29.46g



Outer Diameter: 35mm
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ribbon (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -800)
Material: Gold 
Found: Dummer, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.2 mm
Thickness: 0.3 mm
Weight: 1.1 g
Description: A strip of ribbon gold, dating to the Bronze Age c. 2200 - 800 BC. One side is covered with 14 parallel grooves running along its length, the other is undecorated. There is damage to one side at the mid point where the strip is buckled; both ends are cut. There are no piercings or evidence for fittings.



Length: 37.2mm; Width: 9.2mm; Thickness: 0.3mm; Weight: 1.1g.
Notes: The style of this object with its parallel linear ridges is typical of gold strips and ribbons of known and probable Bronze Age date. Examples from excavated contexts which could lend weight to this dating include an excavated example from Oxford found with a Beaker period flint scraper and pottery (Palmer 1980). Comparable finds recently also reported under the Treasure Act include IOW-CE16C7(2020T431)  and LVPL-954858 (2020 T120).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure