dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wenvoe, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28.8 mm
Thickness: 10.55 mm
Weight: 40.2 g
Description: Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe fragment, c. 1150-800BC The axehead is represented by the blade end fragment with a surviving length of 28.8mm and weighing 40.2g. The axehead has broken across the base of the socket, which has a length of 21.8mm and a width of 4.4mm. The axehead has a width of 33.9mm and a thickness of 10.55mm at the break. The sides are rounded across their width, and are divergent towards the blade tips (with a surviving blade width of 42.10mm), producing a moderately expanded blade. The blade edge is eroded and is gently curved. Both faces are plain for the surviving fragment. The surface has a pale to mid green patina. Socketed axes date from the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, in the Wilburton metalworking industry, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 6 (c.1,150 - 950 BC), however most axes recovered tend to date to the Ewart Park Metalworking Industry (Needham's ibid. Period 7), c. 950 - 750BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alrewas and Fradley, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 120 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Weight: 76.6 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy rapier, dating from the Taunton phase of the Middle Bronze Age, between 1300 – 1000 BC (length: 120mm; width at shoulder: 45mm; thickness at mid blade: 5.5mm; weight: 76.6g).  The artefact can probably be classified as a Trump Group II: Thetford Class rapier (see Trump, B, A, V, 1962, ‘The Origin and development of British Middle Bronze Age Rapiers’ in ‘Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society’, pages 80 – 102.

Only part of the butt, shoulder and blade remain.  In plan, the artefact is an inverted and elongated sub-triangle with a convex side-section.  The sides curve inwards below the shoulder/ butt to form the incomplete tapering blade (width at broken end of blade: 19mm).  At the shoulder/ butt of the rapier, there are two probably deliberate notches instead of rivet holes in opposing corners to the left and right, with an approximate diameter of 11mm, and a slightly incomplete straight edge above and between the rivet holes, forming a trapezoidal appearance at the top of the artefact.  A worn but prominent midrib is evident on both sides of the rapier commences from the butt, with an additional rib to either side which follows the curve of the each shoulder.  All three ribs continue to the break half way down the blade.  The blade edge is slightly incomplete in all areas due to corrosion and old breaks.  Overall, the artefact is in a worn but fair condition with a slightly pitted surface and little of the original green/ brown patina remaining.

Similar examples are illustrated in Trump’s paper (see details above), particularly on page 85, figs 10 (found at the River Ouse, Thetford) & 11 (found at the River Shannon), which are both of the Group II Thetford Class.  On page 87, Trump states that the distinguishing feature of this class is that instead of rivet holes, the rapiers have punched (probably) penannular and deliberate notches at the corners of the butt, as well as the strongly moulded blade with an arris.  Although no moulds of this rapier have ever been found before 1962, they have a wide distribution with a prominent number found in the Fens (where they seem to have generated from in England) as well as others from around England, but a large number have been found in Ireland and Scotland.

Another example of the Thetford Class is illustrated in Moore, C, N & Rowlands, M, 1972, ‘Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum’, page 60 & plate XIII, ref no 69, from Pen pits, probably in Penselwood, Somerset.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dirk (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wigginton and Hopwas, Lichfield, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 161 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Weight: 75.2 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy dirk (in three pieces), dating to the Middle Bronze Age, between 1500 – 1150 BC (approximate length: 161mm; width at shoulder: 37mm; thickness at mid blade: 5.5mm; overall weight: 75.2g).

The first part of the artefact is the incomplete butt and shoulder (length: 62.5mm; width: see above; thickness of shoulder: 5mm; weight: 40.6g).  The butt has a flat-sectioned rounded top with the remains of two incomplete rivet holes in opposing corners to the left and right, with an approximate diameter of 8mm (both rivets are missing).  The butt is also broken (an old break) and incomplete below the rivet holes, but the sides of the shoulder below curve inwards to form the start of a tapering blade.  This first part of the artefact, however, is broken (an old break) approximately 27mm below where the shoulder of the dirk begins to taper inwards.

The second part of the dirk (length: 61mm; width: 16.5mm; thickness at mid blade: see above; weight: 23.7g) immediately and precisely follows on from the break to the butt and shoulders with a fragment of the convex-sectioned mid blade, which still tapers inwards.  The blade edge to either side is worn and incomplete.

The third and final part of the artefact (length: 43mm; width: 12.5mm; thickness: 5.5mm; weight: 10.9g) continues approximately from where the mid blade fragment of the preceding part broke.  This third piece is also a fragment of the convex-sectioned blade, which is just slightly tapering, possibly indicating that this bottom fragment was broken or corroded just above the tip.

Down the central length of the top two sections, the dirk has a flat mid rib, which commences at the shoulder of the artefact and continues to follow the length of the blade approximately 4mm from the blade edge, which tapers downwards from this point.  Overall, the dirk is in a worn but fair condition with many areas of the original brown patina remaining, although there are also areas of corrosion, on one side of the artefact in particular.

A similar dirk is illustrated in Savory, H, N, 1980, ‘Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections’ in the National Museum of Wales, pages 113 & 176, fig 28, ref no 244, found at Newchurch, North Wales.

Another example is illustrated in Watson, P, J, 1993, ‘Catalogue of British and European Prehistoric Metalwork in Birmingham City Museums’, page 10, ref no 83, found in Kent at the Isle of Thanet.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (1200 to 50)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chelsham and Farleigh, Tandridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 28 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 9.4 g
Description: 
Unidentified copper-alloy object, age unknown - possible Iron Age/Bronze Age. Crudely cast, broken or damaged, open work, trefoil shaped artefact of uncertain function, consisting of three roughly circular loops of various relative sizes and with attractive dark green patina. Damaged in places - mainly top and bottom where it is possible a further extension may have come from - now broken off. Function unknown but it has similarities to a harness terret.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Great and Little Chishill, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24 mm
Weight: 12.76 g
Description: A fragment of the upper part of a socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date. The fragment comprises the corner of the socket and part of the wall.
Notes: Brought to the PAS Conservation day at Aylesbury Museum
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1200 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Limpsfield, Tandridge, Surrey (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 16 g
Description: Probable late Bronze Age 1200-900BC Copper alloy, cast, broken, curved rhomboidal shaped, probable implement fragment with wedge shaped cross-section, from sword or axe blade. Attractive green surface patina but some chipping around the edges.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kings Somborne, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 15.5 mm
Weight: 3.3 g
Description: A small worn cast copper-alloy fragment, the dark green patina of which suggests a possible Bronze Age date. The fragment is roughly triangular in shape, with an L-shaped cross-section, expanding to a sub-triangular section.  It is curved internally and has polished, curved edges.  Its cross-section is not immediately suggestive of a Bronze Age object type; it narrows considerably over its relatively small width.
Notes: Other fragments of such antiquity have been found in this parish and recorded on this database.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Vessel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1150 to -300)
Found: Brailes, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Chance find during metal detecting
Weight: 465 g
Description: Twenty fragments of a handmade vessel or vessels. The sherds are body fragments. The fabric of each sherd tempered with frequent medium and small sized shell inclusions. The core of the sherds are either a dark or mid grey colour, the interiors are dark brown/grey and mid brown colour and the exteriors are either a mid brown, dark grey or orange. The sherds weigh, 465g.






The sherds probably date to the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age period.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Damerham, New Forest, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20.1 mm
Thickness: 5.4 mm
Weight: 7.01 g
Description: Possible fragment of Late Bronze Age sword of the Carps Tongue type.

In section this fragment has a prominent mid-rib 5.4mm thick and c.10mm wide. One side of this is missing (probably recent damage). On the other side the blade extends c.11mm, thickening after it narrows either side of the mid-rib, then thinning towards the blade edge which is missing its bevelled edge, also due to recent damage.

The metal is dark green in colour and has a rough feel. The fragment measures 26.7mm wide (probably originally c.38-40mm wide), is 20.1mm in length and max5.4mm thick. It weighs 7.01g.

Carps Tongue swrods date from the 9th to 8th century BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-900 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: GILLINGHAM, , Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Description: The blade of a socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date. The hollow is asymmetrically cast and one long side has a very thin wall. There are nicks in the blade edge.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Newton and Haceby, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 61 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Description: Fragment of a probable copper alloy socketed axe.  Only about one third of the object remains.  The socket end has an outturned lip.  The sides of the object are very worn and slightly convex.  The corners are rounded and worn.  The sides taper to a tip or cutting edge which again is very worn and damaged.  Internally there are incomplete three ribs or ridges.  The object has the feel and patination of a Late Bronze Age socketd axe that has been miscast.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gayton, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 98.1 mm
Thickness: 14.6 mm
Weight: 36.6 g
Description: A copper-alloy mid Bronze Age socketed and looped spearhead. The spearhead has a leaf shaped blade and the loops on the socket which are a characteristic feature of native British spearheads. These loops are located 20.5 mm from the beginning of the blade, distinguishing the spearhead from late Bronze Age examples which tend to have the loops incorporated into the base of the blade. The spearhead is in relatively poor condition, missing its tip and the end of the socket, along with wear to the edges of the blade and the socket itself. It was found in two pieces by the finder who has reattached them. The diameter of the socket at its (broken) opening is 14 mm. The artefact measures 98.1 mm in length. The blade tapers from 22.3 mm to 8.3 mm at its point. 
 This weapon dates from circa 1500 to 1200 BC. Similar examples are illustrated in Cheetham (1977, 47; 33-34).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Easenhall, Rugby, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 7.67 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy barbed and tanged arrowhead, dating to the Bronze Age, between 2150 - 800 BC (length: 42mm; width at barbs: 28mm; thickness: 2mm; weight: 7.67g).


The haft end of a flat arrowhead with bevelled blade edges to the left and right on the outside of the barbs, which is also visible on both sides of the artefact.  The barbs are both broken but have a surviving length of 5mm (measured at the longest surviving barb), a width of 7mm with a thickness of 2mm.  The outside blade edges of the arrowhead slant inwards to taper towards the blade tip, which is no longer present as approximately 20mm of the artefact is now missing.  On one side of the arrowhead, the notches between the tang and the barbs are facetted with a recession of 6mm.  The slightly incomplete (due to corrosion) sub-rectangular and flat tang, which tapers to a thin rounded point at the tip is 19mm long, 9.5mm wide and 2mm thick, with the outside edges down the length of the tang also slightly bevelled.  The arrowhead is in a slightly worn but good condition with a light brown patina, although there are numerous tiny scratches on both sides, which appear to have been done recently, possibly due to cleaning.


An identical example has already been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database by Dr Helen Geake (SF6680), and was found by metal detecting in Bradfield Combust with Stanningfield in Suffolk. Dr. Geake states that the Suffolk example also has the notches between the tang and the barbs on one side only, which suggests that that the artefact 'may be cast rather than created as a secondary process.  If this is the case, the object must have been manufactured as an arrowhead rather than being made as a secondary process from a fragment of another artefact; this makes it extremely rare'.  Dr. Geake also states that 'tanged (usually with barbs) copper-alloy arrowheads are known from the late bronze Age in Britain and western Europe, though they are rare'.  However, the Suffolk example, according to Dr. Geake, is more in common wit early Bronze Age forms and may be of this date, which at the time of writing the Suffolk record, would make it the only Early Bronze Age example known from Britain, therefore making this example also incredibly rare.


Other examples are also illustrated in Watson, P, J, 1993, 'Catalogue of British and European Prehistoric metalwork in Birmingham City Museums', page 11, ref no 90, found in Britain but with no provenance, as well as page 26, ref nos 328 (found at the Swiss Lakes; no provenance); 329 (found at Lake Neuchatel) and 330 (found at the Swiss Lakes: no provenance).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: King's Norton, Harborough, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 66.5 mm
Diameter: 14 mm
Weight: 28.41 g
Description: Late Bronze age socketed gouge, 66.5mm long and 14mm in diameter. The object is in fair condition with a brown patina and weighs 28.41 grams. The object is circular at one end and for three quarters of its length it tapers gradually, becoming crescentic in section with a curved edge. The section is formed of two distinct ridges which run along its length before converging and disappearing into the now circular body. The circular end of the object is hollow, forming a socket with a wall 5mm thick, whilst the rest is solid. There is a deep crescent shaped area missing from the socket, which appears to have rendered it useless.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Knife (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Chilcomb, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 126 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 30.39 g
Description: A socketed knife of mid-late Bronze Age date. The blade has a central rounded ridge and the areas to either side of this are slightly concave. The blade edges are both still sharp. The incomplete tang is 13.5mm wide and tapers in side view. Near the tang is a break repaired with glue by the finder
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to ROMAN (-1500 to 410)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pershore, Wychavon, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 16.76 mm
Thickness: 10.98 mm
Weight: 8.97 g
Description: A cast copper alloy bead. The bead is circular in plan, and is rectangular with rounded edges in profile. The central hole is 9.02mm diameter and is slightly irregular. One side of the bead is slightly more narrow then the other; there is a 0.16mm difference. This may be due to casting rather than wear. The surface of the bead has small areas of corrosion, otherwise it has a mid-dark green patina. The bead measures 16.76mm diameter and 10.98mm thick. It weighs 8.97g.

The bead could date from the Bronze Age to possibly the Roman period.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -2050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pennard, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 150.4 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 503.9 g
Description: Early Bronze Age bronze flat axe of Type Migdale (following Schmidt and Burgess 1981) or Class 3D, Type Barton Stacey (following Needham et al. forthcoming), and dating to the Brithdir assemblage (c. 2200/2150 - 2050 BC) during Needham's (1996, pp 127 - 130) Period 2, c. 2,300 - 2,050BC.



The flat axe is complete and has an overall length of 150.4mm and weighs 503.9g. The butt is square with a width of 24mm and is tapered to a thickness of 3mm. The sides are divergent and are straight for some 50mm before they become concave to the expanded blade. The sides are moderately flat across their thickness, but appear to have been hammered towards the centre. The axe is thickest near its centre at 11.5mm. The blade is wide at 88.69mm with only a slightly curved blade edge. The blade facet begins 10mm from the current (eroded) blade edge. Both faces are gently convex and no decoration is evident. One face has a prominent casting flaw, probably caused by an air bubble (8mm diameter, 3.4mm deep) within a hollowed area. The axe has a green brown patina with peripheral areas of surface loss (light to mid green colour). One face is currently suffering from active bronze corrosion.



Note - Peter Reavill - 18/5/21.



This axe appears in Stuart Needham 2017: The Classification of Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age Copper and Bronze Axe-head from Souther Britain.as his Cat No: 32
Notes: Aquired by Roger Mcilroy who reported the find to Swansea Museum. More than 30 Migdale flat axes have been recorded from Wales, with a concentration in south-east Wales (Savory 1980, pp 43) . The discovery of a hoard containing two similar fragmentary Migdale flat axes was recovered from nearby Oxwich Bay (Gwilt & Macdonald) . This example can also be paralleled in Wales with examples recovered from St Georges-super-Ely, Vale of Glamorgan (Savory 1980, pp 43. No. 110) and Pontardulais, Swansea (ibid. No. 112).



Another Class 3D, Barton Stacey type axe was found at Bala, Gwynedd (Green 1985, 275, Pl. 1), currently held at National Museum Wales (AC-NMW 79.49H).
Subsequent action: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.53 mm
Weight: 20.2 g
Description: Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe fragment, c. 1,150 - 750BC This is a small fragment from the side of a socketed axe of uncertain type and has a maximum surviving length of 30.53mm and weighs 20.2g. The side has a loop (24.27mm long 7.41mm wide and 9.78mm deep). The loop is irregular and springs from immediately beneath (5.3mm) the rim and there is no evidence of a mouth moulding. The casting seam is evident above the loop. The edges of the axe fragment are turning inwards, probably to the faces, and have a maximum width of 27.1mm. The fragment is distorted possibly from heat (melting) or possibly from being miscast.
Notes: Socketed axes date from the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, in the Wilburton metalworking industry, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 6 (c.1,150 - 950 BC), however most axes recovered tend to date to the Ewart Park Metalworking Industry (Needham's ibid. Period 7), c. 950 - 750BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Penllyn, the Vale of Glamorgan, the Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.69 mm
Thickness: 7.1 mm
Weight: 30.5 g
Description: Middle or Late Bronze Age bronze flanged axe or palstave fragment, c. 1,450 - 750BC The axe is represented by the butt only, with a surviving length of 37.69mm and weighs 30.5g. The butt is rounded, but may be eroded and has a width of 22.71mm. The sides are straight and fairly parallel with a maximum width at the break of 24.64mm. The casting seams are prominent on both sides. The flanges begin before the butt and rise to a maximum surviving height of 15.00mm. The septum is flat and tapers to the butt, with a thickness at the break of 7.1mm. Air bubbles are evident in the bronze at the break and may have caused a weakness, resulting in the fracture. The fragment has poor surface preservation, but where the surface survives it has a black patina, elsewhere the fragment is pale to mid green.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hallaton, Harborough, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 23 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight: 17.25 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy casting gate or sprue, 23mm long, 19mm wide and 16mm thick. The object is in fair condition with a greenish/brown patina and weighs 17.25 grams. The object consists of a sub-oval shaped base which tapers inwards gently. Above this the object divides into two sub-circular shafts, 6mm in diameter, which emerge at a 45o angle. The object represents the waste metal that would have 'plugged' the pouring funnel of a mould and would have been removed from a finished object.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Tidenham, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 80.87 mm
Thickness: 16.72 mm
Weight: 229 g
Description: Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe of uncertain type and of Ewart Park metalworking phase, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 7, dated to 950 - 750BC.



The axe is incomplete, missing the blade, the mouth and loop, giving the axe a surviving length of 80.87mm and weight of 229.0g. The surviving mouth is uneven and irregular because of insufficient bronze to fill the mould during casting. The mouth has an oval profile with external dimensions of 46.95mm x 38.28mm (37.85 x 30.55mm internal). One face is higher at the mouth and appears to be turning out slightly, before it would have formed a slight mouth moulding. There is no evidence for whether the casting process employed a two-runner or four-runner technology. The collar is deep (26mm) and is concave on the more complete face. The remains of the loop begin beneath the mouth and are confined within the collar. The casting seams are prominent on both sides but have been finished. The sides are straight, but are beginning to flare outwards at the break. Beneath the collar, the axe has a sub-rectangular body profile. Both faces are decorated with three short (35mm) parallel ribs, which begin at the base of the collar. The axe has a width of 46.94mm and a thickness of 16.72mm at the break The surface of the axe is in good condition with a mid to dark green patina, additional black deposits on the surface may be the remains of an applied tenorite deposit. The axe is of an unusual form, with the loop confined within the collar. An axe recovered from Sesswick, Wrexham (Savory 1980, pp 108, No. 194, fig. 25) also has a deep and concave collar and is decorated with three short parallel ribs, although the loop begins at the base of the collar and the axe mouth is of sub-rectangular profile.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Grandborough, Rugby, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.04 mm
Thickness: 4.01 mm
Weight: 2.24 g
Description: A cast copper alloy awl. The awl is a shaft which, at the mid point, is sub-square in section. It has slightly rounded corners. One side of the awl tapers to a long blunt point. As it tapers it becomes sub-rectangular in section with rounded corners. The opposite terminal also tapers, but does not lose as much width or depth and continues to have a sub-square section. This terminal also finishes with a blunt point. Therefore in profile the awl is an asymmetrical lentoid. The awl has a well developed mid green patina. It measures 34.04mm long, 4.45mm wide and 4.01mm thick. It weighs 2.24g.

The awl probably dates to the Bronze Age. Needham (in Longley, D. & Needham, S 1980 ‘Runnymede Bridge 1976: Excavations on the site of a Late Bronze Age settlement’, Surrey Archaeological Society Volume 6, page 19.) discusses awls and comments they cannot be dated with accuracy within the Bronze Age period as they are found in Early Bronze Age contexts, such as graves as well as Middle and Late Bronze Age hoards.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2100 to 1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Witham Friary, Mendip, Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55.3 mm
Thickness: 27.8 mm
Weight: 112.16 g
Description: Irregular lump of copper alloy (probably bronze) casting waste. The surface is bumpy and pitted and it measures 55.3x38.3x27.8mm.

It weighs 112.16g, perhaps a little light considering its dimensions.

Casting waste is difficult to date as it is found from the Bronze Age to the post medieval period.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Strap Fitting (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 10.17 mm
Diameter: 20.97 mm
Thickness: 3.9 mm
Weight: 4.5 g
Description: Cast bronze strap fitting probably of Late Bronze Age date, c. 12th to 7th century BC The decorative strap fitting is circular and resembles a button with a diameter of 20.37 -20.97mm and a weight of 4.5g. The rear of the fitting has a central integral loop with a length of 10.17mm, a maximum width of 7.52mm (minimum width 3.17mm) and a depth of 3.68mm (2.3mm internal). The surface of the rear is coarse and unfinished. The rear is concave and displays a cast 'channel' for guiding a thin strap, the interior of the cannel is more even than the surrounding surface. The front of the fitting comprises two raised concentric circles and a central knop, divided by cast rounded channels. The head has a thickness of 3.9mm. The edge of the fitting is rounded and the central knop projects slightly above the raised circles, giving the fitting a maximum depth of 6.95mm. The fitting has areas of good surface preservation with a mid-brown patina.
Notes: These fittings are unusual finds and can be paralleled with examples in a hoard of Late Bronze Age decorative strap fittings and horse-gear found at Abergele, Conwy (Savory, 1980, pp 119, Nos. 269-271) of Wilberton metalworking phase, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 6 dated to, to c. 1,150 - 950BC. A close parallel may be seen in an example recovered from a 9th to 7th century BC context in Wiltshire and in Wiltshire Heritage Museum , published by Read (2005, pp1, No. 2) . The Wilshire example has lost its loop, which appears to have been slight and more delicate than this example.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1100 to -900)
Found: Stert, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 49.8 mm
Weight: 7.42 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze Age spearhead, measuring 49.8mm in length, max.12mm wide, and weighing 7.42g.

Almost all original patina is missing and no original cutting edge survives. It is extensively worn. The tip is missing.

In section the spearhead has a circular shaft (6.6mm diameter), apparantly with a clay fill, if so presumably left over from the casting process and creating a weak point for the spear to snap at.

The spearhead has a prominent mid-rib. From its current outline (although heavily worn and damaged) it is probably Greenwell and Brewis Type Va, and would have had peg-holes for attachment instead of loops. This would give a Late Bronze Age date, c.10th-11th century BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1200 to -1000)
Found: Swainswick, Bath and North East Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 49 mm
Weight: 22.73 g
Description: Middle/ Late Bronze Age incomplete tanged chisel, missing its tang and with a little damage to one corner of the cutting edge.

The incomplete object measures 49mm in length and is c.24.1mm wide at the cutting edge, which is 0.8mm thick. Where the blade extends from the tang it is 5.6mm thick. It is trinagular at this point, extending from an oval sectioned piece of tang extending below the collar.

The oval collar 14.8x13mm, 3.3mm thick spearates the main tang (the broken stump of which is c.9x7mm and oval) and blade (which thins out of the tang below the collar.

The casting flashes on the sides of the blade have been worn down but are just visible. Where the blade is broken it has been bent upwards. it is a relatively old break.

The patina is green, smooth and shiny.

Dot Bruns comments there is an example very similar in Roth, H. 1974. 'Ein Ledermesser der atlantischen Bronzezeit aus Mittelfranken'. Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt 4, 37-47.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leicester Forest East, Blaby, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 131 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight: 310.5 g
Description: Bronze age copper alloy palstave axe, 131mm long, 45 mm wide and 21mm thick. The object is in fair condition with a brown patina and weighs 310.5 grams. The axe is divided equally by its central straight stop ridge, which is about 3mm wide. The blade contains a small, central semi-circular depression, 5mm deep, which ends at the stop. From here the blade gently tapers outwards with slight flaring at the edge of the rounded blade, 45mm wide. It thins from 21mm at the stop down to 13mm at the centre of the blade. The butt has curved flanges which are at their widest in the centre, giving them an eliptcal form, and stop just past the stop ridge. The very end of the butt is damaged and the axe is missing patches of surface all over, but is generally in fair condition.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2100 to -700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hatfield Broad Oak, Uttlesford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.31 mm
Thickness: 18.62 mm
Weight: 29.24 g
Description: Copper alloy casting jet with two runners.  Sub-rectangular in plan.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Vessel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2100 to -1700)
Found: Paul, Cornwall, Cornwall (South West)
Discovery method: Fieldwalking
Length: 21 mm
Thickness: 4.6 mm
Weight: 2 g
Description: Pottery rim sherd with bevelled everted rim, decorated with fine comb-impressed dashed lines in bands of six, delineated by a plain band between. The core of the sherd has been oxidised to a light brown colour and the exterior and interior surfaces to a more orangey-brown colour. The exterior surface has been sooted and still has carbonised remains extant. The fabric looks, from microscopic investigation, to have mica, white feldspar, quartz sands and killas inclusions, which is typical of the local beaker wares made during the Early Bronze Age in Cornwall. Comparable beaker vessels with similar inclusions (Parker Pearson, 1990, p.11) and decoration have been found at sites in Penwith, such as Trevedra and Praa Sands, illustrated in Clarke's corpus, 1970, pp.378-9, Nos.814 & 820. Beaker Period c.2500-1700 cal BC, but the current dating for Beakers from Cornwall is c.2100-1700 cal BC (Andy Jones pers comm).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 115.84 mm
Weight: 15.89 g
Description: A Middle Bronze Age copper alloy quoit headed pin.  In plan the head of the pin is circular with a concentric circular hole.  The cross section of the head is in the form of a flat rectangle.  The exterior shape of the head tapers down in a curve to form the top of the shaft which is oval in section.  The shaft further tapers to a point and the section changes to round as it does so.  A similar pin was found in Chilton Polden, Somerset (Pearce 1983:509 no.633).  Reference: Pearce, S. 1983. The Bronze Age Metalwork of South Western Britain.  BAR British Series 120 (ii).  Oxford. Quoit headed pins generally date to the Taunton phase of the Middle Bronze Age, circa 1500-1200 BC. Dimensions: Length 115.84mm; width 31.65mm; weight 15.89g
Notes: Found during Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 97.57 mm
Weight: 31.11 g
Description: A mid Bronze Age side-looped spear (1500-1150BC). The spear has a short leaf-shaped blade and a long (longer that the blade) tapering socket that extends the length of the spear. Located midway down the socket are two opposed side loops. The copper alloy has a dark green patina. Dimensions: Diameter at socket 14.75mm; maximum width of blade 14.37mm; length 97.57mm; weight 31.11g
Notes: Found during Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally, 26-28 Aug
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1750 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59.96 mm
Weight: 61 g
Description: A butt fragment from a middle to early late Bronze Age flanged axehead. The fragment includes part of the septum and the flanges and tapers outwards from the narrow butt-end towards the broken edge. It is a light green colour with a corrosion pitted surface. Dimensions: length 59.95mm width 24.70mm; weight 61g



The find was first identified as a palstave however the height of the flanges and their length combined with the lack of a stopridge make this unlikely. On the available evidence this is closer in form to a long flanged axehead see for example LVPL-558FA2 on the database. The long flanges will classify this either as a long flanged axehead or a developed flat axe. The flanges appear to be cast favouring the former type, although the diverging sides may indicate the latter. In either circumstance this form dates to the Early Bronze Age c. 1750-1500 cal BC (Following Roberts et al 2013). This type may further be refined if consulting Needham's (2018) schema or that of Schmidt and Burgess (1981)
Notes: Found during the Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24 mm
Weight: 9.52 g
Description: A late Bronze Age copper alloy fragment of a bun-shaped ingot .   The fragment has a plano-convex cross-section that is flat on the lower surface and slightly domed on the upper surface, the fractured edge shows a large grain size commensurate with rough casting.  The shape and thickness of the fragment is uneven. Copper alloy  ingot fragments are common in hoards of the Ewart  Park phase of the late Bronze Age circa 1000-800 BC. The copper alloy has a glossy dark green patina.    Dimensions:  Length 24.0mm; width 15.18mm; weight 9.52g
Notes: Found during the Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug 2006
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Norton Malreward, Bath and North East Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Other chance find
Length: 90 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight: 241.65 g
Description: Cast copper alloy socketed axehead dating from the Late Bronze Age, Yorkshire type that is c. 1000-800BC. . Length 90mm, width 42mm, thickness 35mm, weight 241.65g. It has a prominent bulbous collar below which is horizontal moulding. The upper body is narrow at the sides and diverges to an expanded cutting edge that forms into a splayed, elongated wedge-shape. The loop is broad with its upper end merging with the horizontal moulding, and the lower end slightly splayed out extending to the edges of the side. It is decorated on both sides with three sets of ribs. About 70% of the original patina remains, interspersed with patches of corrosion. The forward edge has a series of striations running down the length of the blade, these are marks from use.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ston Easton, Mendip, Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 18.68 g
Description: Cast copper alloy chisel length 56mm, diameter 15mm, thickness 2mm,  weight 18.68g width of blade 12mm.  Crescent shape blade which extends backwards 29mm, the object is socketed with an aperture of about 11mm, however, this as well as a large section of the left side is heavily truncated as a result of corrosion. A casting seam runs around the edge.  The artefact is heavily corroded. 

This artefact dates to the middle to late Bronze Age 1500-800BC
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 198.5 mm
Weight: 89 g
Description: A middle Bronze Age copper alloy rapier (1500-1150 BC).  The long thin blade expands in width at the top to form a sub-semi-circular shape.  At the top of this are two incomplete perforations.  The rapier is bent at an obtuse angle midway down its length, the end of the blade is broken and missing.  Very similar examples are reported in the middle Bronze Age hoards found at Taunton and Penard (Rohl & Needham 1998:129, 131).    Dimensions: Length 198.5mm; width 44.01mm; width of blade: 14.92mm; thickness: 4.43mm; weight 89g  Reference: Rohl, B. and Needham, S. 1998.  The Circulation of Metal in the British Bronze Age: The Application of Lead Isotope Analysis.  The British Museum Occasional Paper No. 102.  The British Museum, London.
Notes: Found during the Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.41 mm
Weight: 13.21 g
Description: A late Bronze Age copper alloy fragment of a socketed axehead (circa 1150-1050 BC).  The fragment comprises a section of the rim of the socket.  The rim has a D-shaped cross-section.  Below the rim is a groove and then a raised ridge.  The breaks have the same mid green patina as the rest of the surface suggesting the damage occurred in antiquity.  Dimensions: length 39.41mm; width 30.03mm; weight 13.21g
Notes: Found during the Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32.76 mm
Weight: 6.4 g
Description: A copper alloy middle Bronze Age fragment from the socket of a socketed spear (circa 1500-1150BC). The stubs of side loops remain. Mid-green patina Dimensions: length 32.76mm; diameter top 8.56mm; diameter bottom 12.95mm; weight 6.40g
Notes: Found during the Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug 2006
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-2150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Thrussington, Charnwood, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 6.94 g
Description: Bronze Age copper alloy spearhead fragment, 39mm long, 14mm wide and 6mm thick. The object is in fair condition with a dark brown patina and weighs 6.94 grams. The object is triangular in form and consists of a central circular shaft which tapers to a point. This is flanked by a narrow blade, C.5mm wide, on each side.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Letcombe Regis, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.58 mm
Thickness: 3.63 mm
Weight: 8.87 g
Description: A late Bronze Age copper alloy fragment of a sword blade (circa 1150 - 800 BC). The width of the blade tapers from 17.53mm to 15.36mm.  It has a lens-shaped cross section with bevelled blade edges.  The cutting edges are damaged.  Dark green patina  Dimensions: Diameter 35.58mm; width 17.53mm; thickness 3.63mm; weight 8.87g
Notes: Found during the Weekend Wanderers King Alfred the Great Rally 26-28 Aug 2006
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Penannular Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Gold Copper alloy
Found: Thurnham, Maidstone, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 19.66 mm
Thickness: 7.51 mm
Weight: 13.86 g
Description: Penannular gold ring comprising a gold covering over a base metal core; this is usually a copper alloy. The piece has fairly fine stripes, probably of yellow and paler gold, but this decorative effect is extremely worn and heavily stained red-brown. The central area and gap are plugged with corrosion products which also form an excrescence on one side of the gap. External diameter 20x18mm; internal diameter about 7mm; width of gap about 2mm; breadth 7mm; weight 13.86 grams. Rings of this type date to circa 1150-750 BC.
Notes: Treasure case 2006 T465. Report by Gillian Varndell. Non-destructive X-ray florescence at the British Museum indicated a gold content in the yellow stripes of 64-67%, a silver content of 28-30%, the remainder being copper. The grey stripes are richer in silver content.



TVC recommended valuation: £200
Subsequent action: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to POST MEDIEVAL (-2150 to 1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barming, Maidstone, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 13.72 mm
Thickness: 10.46 mm
Weight: 7.43 g
Description: Irregular perforated copper alloy object, possibly a bead.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to  (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gestingthorpe, Braintree, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 138.9 mm
Description: Complete Bronze Age copper-alloy palstave.  Is an early palstave of ‘Group I: Primary Shield Pattern’ type, probably dated to the Middle Bronze Age.  All parts of the palstave are present and include a probable bar stop and a shield-shaped depression on the blade just below the stop.  The shield is transfixed by a long central ridge running from it to the cutting edge, this forms a primitive version of the ‘trident’ pattern.  The palstave also has roughly parallel sides above the stop and a widely splayed blade.  The cutting edge and blade tips are worn but intact.  The palstave has a mid to dark green patina but is slightly abraded with light green exposed areas.  There is also some slight gouging to the blade.  There is no casting seam.  It measures 138.9mm long and is 54.28mm wide (from tip to tip).  Palstaves of this type can be found in Schmidt, P. and Burgess, C. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England, pages 117-125, ref. 770-787A.
Notes: Found during a metal detecting rally on 2nd April 2006.  Object description taken from photograph.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leighfield, Rutland, Rutland (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 153 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Description: Bronze age palstave axe 163mm long, 53mm wide at the blade and 29mm thick at the flange. The axe is in fair condition, retaining about half of its original surface, and has a green patina. The axe weighs 415 grams and is complete. The septum is 65mm long and 7mm thick and is rectangular in form with slightly bulging sides, 23 to 29mm. The flange is 29mm at its widest and tapers sharply, ending 10mm short of the butt, which is flat. The stop sits about 5mm proud of the blade surface and tapers gently outwards to meet it. At this point the blade has two 'comma' shaped indentations, 20mm long and 12mm wide, which sit either side of a slight ridge which runs the length of the blade, together they form a heart shaped motif. The blade itself starts 27mm wide and thick and tapers gently to a point 53mm wide and 1mm thick. The blade has a stright edge and it tapers so gently in width that the blade facet is almost invisible. The side loop is 3mm in diameter and is 20mm wide and 8mm high.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder