dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1140)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 125 mm
Thickness: 29.9 mm
Weight: 293.1 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy palstave of Group III (Low flanged, Broad bladed), dating to the Middle Bronze Age from the Acton Park to Penard Metalworking phases (c.1500-1140 BC). 



The palstave has an incomplete length of 125mm from butt to blade edge, and a weight of 293.1g. The butt ends in a transverse break at around the point where the flanges meet the septum, the width at this point is 21.5mm. The flanges are badly damaged and the original shape is uncertain. The septum is largely straight, with a very slight taper towards the butt, and is 5.6mm thick. The Flanges form a straight rectangular stop ridge, which projects above the maximum surviving height of the flanges (24.6mm). The palstave originally had a side loop on one side overlapping the stop ridge, now only visible as attachment scars.



The blade is fairly broad with concave edges expanding to flared tips (now damaged, one missing entirely) and a curved blade edge. A slight blade bevel is just visible, being roughly ??mm. A slight raised area running down the centre of the blade from the stop on both faces suggests that the axe had a poorly defined, now almost imperceptible midrib. No other decoration is visible. 



The palstave’s surface is pitted with green to brown patchy colouring- the original surface is missing from the entire palstave with the exception of inside the flanges and on the septum, where it has a green patina. The flanges are very badly damaged, being almost entirely gone on one side, and showing fresh bronze, presumably from recovery damage.



Dimensions: Length: 125mm; Blade width 55.9mm; Butt width: 21.5mm; Stop thickness: 29.8mm; Width at stops: 22.7mm; Flange thickness: 24.6; Weight: 293.1g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Waterstock, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 29.8 mm
Thickness: 4.2 mm
Weight: 9.29 g
Description: A blade fragment probably of a Bronze Age weapon, most likely a rapier dating to the Middle Bronze Age c. 1550-1150 cal BC. Only a portion of the blade remains.



The fragment is from the body of the blade. It has a hexagonal shaped cross section with wide flat faces and then bevelled blades edges which have been abraded and chipped to become rounded. It narrows slightly from one transverse break (c.16.7mm wide, to the other (c.15.2mm wide). Both breaks are worn preventing identification wether the breaks are deliberate or not. A thick dark green patina covers the majority of the fragment although it is chipped away in places revealing a green patina below.



The fragment is 29.8mm long, 16.7mm wide, 4.2mm thick and weighs 9.29 grams.



While a more recent Roman or Medieval date should not be excluded the form of this fragment is consistent with many other rapier fragments recorded by the PAS including NMGW-587A08, SUR-BCF0BA and DENO-0EAF9A
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Llanrhidian Lower, Swansea, Swansea (Wales)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.05 mm
Thickness: 16.06 mm
Weight: 52.67 g
Description: A fragment of a socketed axehead of later Bronze Age date. The fragment comprises the blade and front portion of the axehead, which is 30.05mm in length, with a maximum width of 38.09mm. The cross section is subrectangular, the side profile is triangular and the blade edge is curved. The rear end reveals the hollow interior of the casting. The fragment is heavily abraded and corroded and the cutting edge has been lost.
Notes: Socketed axes generally date from the Middle Bronze Age through to the Early Iron Age (c1300- 600 BC) - however the precise typological group for this example is uncertain.



Recorded from details emailed by the finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: South Wonston, Winchester, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 72.3 mm
Thickness: 3.8 mm
Weight: 26.75 g
Description: An incomplete, narrow copper alloy blade of mid to late Bronze Age date, probably from a dirk or rapier. The blade is 72.3mm in length and broken at both ends, one of which shows signs of being bent. The blade has a lenticular cross section without any pronounced mid rib.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ingot (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Dewlish, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 35.57 mm
Thickness: 10.8 mm
Weight: 32.91 g
Description: A possible fragment of a bronze plano-convex ingot or "cake". A sub-triangular fragment of copper alloy. The edges and surfaces are worn and irregular apart from one which has a fresher, more angular break. One face has a low, wide ridge and on the other there is a rough-surfaced depression near the broken edge. 

Date: Probably Late Bronze Age - c. 1150 - 600 BC

Dimensions: 35.36 mm x 32.83 mm x 10.80 mm

Weight: 32.91 g



Kindly Identified by Peter Reavill.



Some examples of plano-convex ingot can be seen in records NMS-67D9E3, SOM-C304F9, SUR-0E8478 and NLM-C11C1B and there are many more on the PAS database.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Owersby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84.3 mm
Thickness: 4.9 mm
Weight: 51.93 g
Description: A copper alloy fragment of a Middle Bronze Age rapier, dating from 1550 BC - 1150 BC. The fragment is from near the top of the blade, including part of the trapezoid hilt, but not enough survives to be able to classify it precisely. The blade flares at the top, but has near parallel edges at the narrow end. The blade has a central arris on both faces, making the blade a pointed oval in cross section, and there is a facet along the cutting edge on both sides. The facet is 4mm wide. The fragment is broken at both ends and the breaks are patinated. The object has a dark brown patina which is smooth but with some small circular pits. The surface is slightly reflective in places. Length 84.3mm; width at widest point 39.1mm; thickness 4.9mm and weight 51.93g.



Compare the near complete rapier SWYOR-7A4C37 and see also the PAS guide to Bronze Age artefacts: https://finds.org.uk/guides/bronzeage/objects/rapiers-and-dirks
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -850)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 106.7 mm
Weight: 72 g
Description: An incomplete Late Bronze Age copper alloy tanged chisel, dating to c 1150 - 850 BC. It is missing any handle. It is cast in one piece but can be described in two sections. It has a square-sectioned tang which abuts the rectangular-sectioned, collared handle stop of the chisel blade. At the other end is the chisel blade beyond the tang. At the point of the tang, the blade narrows in thickness to the blade's outer edge. The sides of the blade extend from the handle stop, more or less parallel with one another before flaring out a little towards the outer edge which is now also rounded. 



Dimensions: overall 106.7mm in length; 19.4mm in width (the stop bar); 72 g in weight. The blade is 61mm in length, 17.3mm in width; the shaft 45mm in length, 14.7mm in width.



Tanged chisels, which date from c. 1150-850 BC, are known from several hoards and as isolated finds; complete examples from such contexts are uncommon. 



See BERK-4008DB for similar on the PAS database.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Monxton, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 74.5 mm
Thickness: 15.8 mm
Weight: 33.91 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy socketed spearhead of Middle Bronze Age date. The form corresponds to Davis’ (2012) Group 6 (Developed side-looped) and is most probably a product of the later Arreton, Acton Park, Taunton or early Wilburton metalworking phases (Needham’s (1996) Periods 4-5, c 1500-1100 BC). The remaining portion is 74.5mm in length, with a socket of 15.8mm diameter which is completely infilled with sediment. The blade was leaf shaped and 20mm in width with a pronounced mid rib; only the rear quarter to a third remains, with a clean break across the width. There are two small and narrow flanking side loops around half way along the tapering conical socket, one of which has a casting flaw behind it in the form of a hole. No trace of any material the shaft was found in the socket during conservation.
Notes: 
Additional images on this record show the find after museum conservation.

Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lympstone, East Devon, Devon ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 64.9 mm
Thickness: 10.7 mm
Weight: 78.52 g
Description: A slender copper alloy flat developed axehead or possibly a chisel, dating to the Early Bronze Age, c. 2000-1700 BC. 



The object is markedly petite, rectangular in shape, and an extremely flattened pointed oval in section, not bulbous enough to be described as lenticular. The object flares very slightly from the butt to the cutting edge, but this is extremely subtle and not characteristic of broad flared axeheads. There are slightly raised flanges present, but these are only present on one surface, and can only be felt rather than seen. There is a suggestion of a slight nick at the butt but it is otherwise complete. The surface is pitted and a mixture of typical green patinisation, soil staining in the pits, and flecks of the original high shine surface. 



The object's slender size implies it could potentially be a deliberately manufactured miniature object, with parallels including SWYOR-6E7AE7, which references the similar HAMP-710DC5, and presents a nuanced discussion of the designation of these objects as chisels, axeheads, or miniature objects. NLM-E45686, recorded as a chisel, is a potentially close parallel, although that record (in spite of the diminutive size of the object) denies that these artefacts are likely of Bronze Age date and suggests a broader range. This may be due to the lack of a tang, typical of Bronze Age chisel forms. Delicate, rather than miniature, flanged axeheads are discussed at length in the record for HESH-FBF348, but this example is distinctly truncated in comparison. For this example, a designation as Flat Axehead is considered to be most appropriate. 



Measurements: 64.9mm length, 25.1mm width (at cutting edge), 18.2mm width (at butt), 10.7mm thickness, weight 78.52g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.19 mm
Thickness: 11.54 mm
Weight: 25.52 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy socketed spearhead dating to the Early to Middle Bronze Age c.2350-1001 BC. 



The lower portion of the socket and loop, and tip are missing. The blade is broadly elongated lozenge-shaped with a prominent midrib. On both sides of the midrib, running longitudinally are several grooves and marks. The socket cross-section is circular. Probably of Davis (2017) Group 6 'Developed side looped'. 



Length: 52.19 mm; Width: 23.72 mm; Thickness: 11.54 mm; Weight: 25.52g



David, R. 2017. Later Prehistoric Finds Group Object Datasheet No.5. A Short Guide to Early and Middle Bronze Age Spearheads
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 157 mm
Thickness: 39.27 mm
Weight: 500 g
Description: A Middle to Late Bronze Age palstave axehead of Transitional or Late type, dating to the Penard or Wilburton phase (MBA III to LBA I; 1100 - 900 BC).



Description: The butt end has rounded is rounded. The flanges begin about a third of the way along the butt's length. The cleft between the flanges is raltively smother perhaps from use. There is a significant casting fault in one side of the butt, rectangular in shape. The casting seem is visible along the sides of the axehead, though some effort to reduce it appears to have taken place. The stop is pronounced and overhangs a little which accentuates the wasting effect of the blade's flare. The stop has right-angled corners with the flanges. The loop is on one side which arcs over the position on the stop. The blade is long, thin and narrow and extends extensively before flaring out at the blade end. there is a slight ridge down the centre of each wide face of the blade.



The axehead is has a heaivly modttled patination. Within the flanges it has a dark grey-green patination, towards the butt end and along the flanges it has a much lighter green-white corrosion cause by wear and corrosion. The blade end is a medium mid green colour. There are some areas of historic damage across the blade indicated by their patination.



Total Measurements: 157mm long, 39.27mm wide at the loop (26.20mm wide at stop-ridge without loop, 43.92mm wide at blade edge and 500g in weight



Blade 93.6mm long, 43.89mm wide.



Loop: 32.03mm long, 13.07mm high, 9.08mm thick.



Butt: 61.46mm long, 24.91mm wide, 32.644mm thick.



Discussion:  Burgess and Schmidt, which despite being focused on metalwork from Northern Britain has a similar types illustrated, specifically the Transitional Palstaves of Roundhay mid ribbed variety. Catalogue number 890 from Aikbrae and no 899 from Haydon Bridge are particularly close examples.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1800 to -1600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.7 mm
Thickness: 7.1 mm
Weight: 32.56 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy EBA III developed or long flanged axehead dating to 1800-1500 BC and attributable to the  Arreton or Acton Park I industries, possibly being of Aylesford type (1800-1600 BC) . The remaining portion is 52.7mm in length and probably comprises around 60% of the whole tool. The axehead is cast in a two part mould and is broken across the upper part of the blade. The section is sub rectangular with a proto stop ridge / median bevel at the wide part and tapers after the mid-point object to a thin rounded butt end. The external edges have a slight hammer raised flange and are slightly bevelled. The front part of the axehead has broken away, but the sides suggest that it would have flared outwards in width at this point.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alderbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 38 mm
Thickness: 7.5 mm
Weight: 7.5 g
Description: A fragment of the tip of a cast copper alloy socketed spearhead, probably of pegged type, 38mm in length and dating to the Late Bronze Age (c.1100 BC to 800 BC). The object is triangular in shape and lozengiform in cross section with a large circular midrib and short side wings to the blade. The interior of the casting is hollow.
Notes: 
Recorded from details emailed by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alderbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 34.3 g
Description: A small and extremely corroded cast copper alloy flat axehead or possibly a chisel or other tool of early to middle Bronze Age date (c 2000-1600 BC). The object is 57mm in length and 19mm wide with a flat rectangular cross section and lenticular side profile. It tapers towards the butt end and has a curved cutting edge; however the degree of loss from corrosion makes the original form and type uncertain.
Notes: 
Recorded from details emailed by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stalbridge, North Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.43 mm
Thickness: 5.56 mm
Weight: 19.34 g
Description: A fragment of copper alloy socketed axehead. A small piece from the side and butt, having an angled corner on the exterior surface . Around the remnant of the mouth is a moulded low, wide collar. The internal surface is curved and smooth.

Date: Late Bronze Age - c. 1100 - 800 BC

Dimensions: 36.43 mm x 24.35 mm x 5.56 mm

Weight: 19.34 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1350 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stalbridge, North Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 155.2 mm
Thickness: 30.7 mm
Weight: 474 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy palstave axehead. The axehead has high side flanges which are rounded rectangular in profile stepped at the stop ridges. The tops of the flanges on both sides are tall and the same height as the stop ridge. The flanges taper to the rear ans do not extend into the butt. The stop ridges are rounded at the top, and curved. On one side the stop is undercut with a ‘blowhole’ like casting flaw. The butt of the axe head is the most corroded part, but it appears to taper into a straight edge. On one side, cast on the midline of the flange and with the lower attachment point ibeyond the stop ridge, is a low-arched side loop with a sub-circular aperture in line with the stop ridge. The broad blade is a triangular wedge-shape; it flares from below the stop and terminates in a wide, crescent-shaped cutting edge. The front and rear faces of the blade have a low midrib extending centrally from below the stop ridge to about three quarters of the way down the blade; it is more visible on one side than the other due to surface corrosion. There are traces of the casting lines along both sides from the flanges and down the sides of the blade which have been trimmed and hammered flat when the axe was prepared for use. The object has not been cleaned and there are still areas with soil adhereing.

Date: Middle Bronze Age c. 1350 - 1150 BC

Dimensions: 155.2 mm x 57.7 mm x 30.7 mm

Weight: 474 g

 



Ed Caswell has kindly commented that this can be classed a a transitional type in the typologies of both Rowlands (1976) and Schmidt & Burgess (1981). Peter Reavill gave the suggested date range.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-900 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Corpusty, North Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 42.7 mm
Thickness: 9.1 mm
Weight: 11.2 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy spearhead, point only, finely cast with the socket extending into the blade and containing blackened remains of burnt clay. Fine ribs flank the tapering central rib of the socket on both faces. The edges are very subtly faceted on both faces. Very similar to NMS-D636B5. c. 9th century BC.



Extant length: 42.7mm. Extant width 17.8mm: Thickness at break: 9.1mm. Weight: 11.2g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
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: 68 mm
Thickness: 28.2 mm
Weight: 94.11 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper alloy socketed axe head of indeterminate type and of Late Bronze Age date, probably of the Ewart Park metalworking phase (c. 1000-800BC). The axe is incomplete, missing large parts of the mouth moulding, the side loop, the entire blade edge, and any potential blade tips. This lack of key diagnostic features makes it hard to place this axe into a typology, but it shows similarities to the South Eastern Type.

The mouth moulding is a simple raised band c. 10mm wide in its surviving areas. The mouth is 28.2mm thick at the mouth moulding and 33.3mm wide, with internal dimensions of 24.65mm wide and 19.8mm wide. Most of the mouth moulding has delaminated from the metallic core and is lost, so the external measurements are incomplete. This loss of material makes the external profile of the mouth hard to judge, but seems to have been angular, potentially sub rectangular. The internal mouth profile is uneven and somewhat rectangular. Both faces are undecorated and smooth.

The loop sprang from the bottom of the mouth moulding, and had a length of c. 19mm, now only surviving as indistinct attachment scars. The sides of the axe are very slightly concave, and can be seen to start to expand just before the sides end at the break where the blade has detached. The width at the point of the break is 31mm. A surviving core of the blade, including the original surface of one face, projects below this point but gives little clue to the blade&rsquo;s original form or dimensions, being largely a metallic core covered in powdery blue copper alloy corrosion. Both of the sides have prominent casting seams/flashings running from the mouth moulding to the break.

The axe retains most of its original surface, which has an uneven green to brown patina. The broken areas are covered by active baby blue powdery copper alloy corrosion. 

While this axe is difficult to firmly place as a South Eastern type axe, it certainly shows typological affinities to examples such as No. 1300 in Schmidt &amp; Burgess (1981). Mark Lodwick comments: South Eastern type axes are often associated with the Carp&#39;s Tongue complex of North West France (Schmidt &amp; Burgess, 1981, p 217), which heavily influences hoard composition in Lowland England. The type is also well represented throughout Britain and is present in the Llantwit tradition of south east Wales, represented within the eponymous hoard and elsewhere.

Length: 68mm

Width: 33.3

Thickness: 28.2mm at collar, 24mm below

Mouth dimensions: Width: 24.65mm Depth: 19.8mm

Blade expansion maximum: 31mm 

Weight: 94.11g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MODERN (-2350 to 2000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Corpusty, North Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 89.2 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight: 286 g
Description: Unidentified cast copper-alloy object of uncertain date. It is a solid and heavy bar with four long narrow faces, one of which is divided into two gently sloping facets by a central longitudinal ridge, which may be a casting seam. The end faces and the cross-sectional form are pentagonal, but nearly square: the three unfaceted sides are at approximately right-angles to each other and of similar widths. All faces and facets are generally flat (even the sloping ones). Both ends of the bar splay slightly on all sides, suggesting that they may have been subject to a compressive hammering force.



One of the two sloping facets is raised a little higher than its counterpart. That is to say it slopes directly from the ridge, whereas the latter steps down a fraction of a millimetre before sloping away. This is most obvious at the centre of the ridge; the difference in level gradually diminishes towards the ends until it is imperceptible, perhaps because of the hammering. The higher facet is additionally distinguished from the other facet and all the other faces in that its surface is completely covered in fine grooves, which appear to be file-marks. It also has a single oblique ridge running across it, not centrally, which looks like another casting seam. The file marks on the shorter side of the oblique ridge are finer and equally oblique. Those on the long side are coarser and transverse. Close inspection of the file marks reveals the coarser ones to be composed of two rows of opposed and interspersing long and narrow triangular ridges, with a zig-zag groove running between them. The finer marks are continuous (unbroken from side to side) and near parallel grooves and ridges. There are further fine transverse and oblique file marks visible here and there alongside one of the long edges on the face directly opposite the ridged face.



There are some scratches on one of the other long faces that appear accidental. The patina on all surfaces is dark green. There is no evidence of any breaks.



Length: 89.2mm. Width: 23.5mm. Thickness: 20.0mm. Weight: 286g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -850)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Leamington Hastings, Rugby, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 57.84 mm
Thickness: 4.14 mm
Weight: 4 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy Awl of probable late Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The awl is square in cross section along most of its length, and tapers to a rounded point at one terminal. At the other terminal it flattens to become rectangular, before ending in a chisel-shaped terminal. 



Length: 57.84mm, Width: 4.52mm, Thickness: 4.14mm, Weight: 4.0g



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



Cf. OXON-C4D536 on the database which states: 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). Awls 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).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Creslow, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 133.38 mm
Thickness: 5.35 mm
Weight: 64.8 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy Blade, Dagger or Rapier, of Mid to Late Bronze Age date (1600-800 BC). The object is rectangular in plan and ovate in cross section due to a central mid-rib. It is incomplete due to an abraded transverse break, resulting in the loss of the upper portion of the object. The retained portion is the tip and partial body of the blade. The cutting edges have been extensively broken and abraded.



The metal is a dark brown in colour with a slightly pitted patina.



Length: 133.38mm, Width (blade): 22.99mm, Width (tip): 7.11mm, Thickness: 5.35mm, Weight: 64.8g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Newbold Pacey, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 31.7 mm
Thickness: 6.9 mm
Weight: 14.6 g
Description: A probable incomplete copper alloy socketed spearhead fragment with another object lodged inside. The spearhead would date to the Late Bronze Age, circa 1100-800 BC. 



The object is fragmentary and has damaged and broken upper and lower terminals. The probable spearhead has flared long edges. Extending from the broader damaged short terminal edge is a broadly rectangular piece of copper alloy. It is uncertain if this was originally part of the object or a separate object inserted into the other. The object has a moulded rib along the centre which forms shallow linear grooves either side. 



The object has a well developed brown coloured patina and worn edges that have evidence of green coloured corrosion. 



The object measures 32.5 mm in width, 31.7 mm in length which includes the rectangular protrusion, it is 6.9 mm in thickness and weighs 14.6 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-1600 to 1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wimborne St. Giles, East Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.6 mm
Weight: 4.4 g
Description: A copper-alloy Bronze Age to Medieval copper-alloy awl 1250 BC-AD 1500. The find consists of four straight sides, each one plain, and rectangular in section. Its midpoint is bulbous and the awl tapers inwards terminating in rounded points at each end. Plain copper alloy awls are hard to date precisely but examples of this form are thought to have been introduced in the Bronze Age and they have barely changed throughout the centuries. 



Length: 53.6mm   width: 4.0mm   weight: 4.40g



Similar examples on the PAS database include: SF-5623C1, NARC-643B92.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Overton, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 56.4 mm
Thickness: 3.6 mm
Weight: 3.23 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy awl of potential late Bronze Age date, 56.4mm in length. Around 40% of the length of the object is square in cross section, the remainder is of rounded cross section. Both ends taper to points. There is no decoration.
Notes: Plain copper alloy awls are hard to date precisely but examples of this form are thought to have been introduced in the Bronze Age (2150-800 BC) with most being Late Bronze Age in date (1150-800 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Essington, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 162 mm
Thickness: 24.6 mm
Weight: 122.1 g
Description: A near complete leaf shaped spearhead of Late Bronze Age date (Ewart Park phase, c. 950 - 750 BC). The spearhead is 90% complete; an irregular tear is present along the mid-rib socket between the two blades. The overall shape of the spearhead is broadly leaf shaped, with a 'flame shaped' blade. Two circular peg holes are present, one on either side of the socket. These have an internal diameter of 6.1 mm. The base of the socket is circular and has a depth of 123.7 mm. Blade facets are visible along the edge of the blades on the undamaged side. The spearhead is a dark brown to mid green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion has caused the original surface to flake away in a few areas, these are dark green in colour. This type of spearhead is consistent with that of the Ewart park phase and a parallel can be found in the Shropshire Marches VII hoard. It is consistent with dating between 950 BC and 750 BC.



It measures 162 mm in length, a maximum width of 39.3 mm. The socket has an external diameter of 24.6 mm and an internal diameter of 19.7 mm. The walls of the socket are 2.3 mm thick. It weighs 122.1 g.
Notes: The 3D model has been generated using mobile phone scanning application Qlone.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Petham, Canterbury, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 68.2 mm
Thickness: 1.5 mm
Weight: 13 g
Description: An incomplete copper-alloy dagger, probably of Middle Bronze Age or early Late Bronze Age date, c1500 and c1100 BC.



Description: The blade has a narrow lozenge cross-sectioned, thickening only slightly towards the hilt end. The point is missing but it appears likely to have been pointed rather than rounded. The blade is a rough narrow triangle in plan flaring slightly towards the hilt end. There is a slightly raised mid-rib along the blades length. At the hilt end are the remains of two semi-circular or rivet holes, these have broken cross their width, one side has broken more extensively than the other. This leave the hilt end as a rectangular tab below the blade. The hilt end would likely have fitted an organic holt was attached via the two now missing rivets. It has a heavily patinated surface with some copper-alloy corrosion in progress. It remains a mottled mid-light green colour.



Measurements: 68.2mm long, 22.5mm wide, 1.5mm thick (at thickest remaining) and 13g in weight.



Discussion: Due to the incomplete and worn nature of the dagger it is uncertain as to which type or metalwork phase it belongs. A number of similar copper-alloy daggers have been recorded on the PAS database: LANCUM-C6A25A, WMID-9A6CB5, DOR-065301 etc.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Newbold Pacey, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.7 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 3.9 g
Description: A Bronze Age fragment of a cast copper alloy axehead, possibly a palstave or flanged axehead of Middle Bronze Age date, circa 1500-1100 BC.



The fragment comprises the butt of the axehead which is trapezoidal in form. The object is slightly thicker at one end. Air bubbles from the casting process are also visible at the broken edge. The object has a mid-green coloured surface patina. 



It measures 21.7 mm in length, 11.3 mm in width, 4 mm in thickness and weighs 3.9 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -750)
Found: Petham, Canterbury, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 58.75 mm
Diameter: 16.25 mm
Weight: 35.41 g
Description: An incomplete cast copper-alloy object, possibly of middle to late bronze age date c.1500-750 BC.



Description: The object is roughly cast and survives as a narrow conical. Both ends terminate in rough breaks and the walls are veyr thick. On one side there is an overlap likely some fault in the casting or vagaries of production. It has a heavily patinated and pitted surface which obscure more detail. It remains a mottled light green to turquoise colour.



Measurements: 58.75mm long, 16.25mm in diameter at widest (13,5 at narrower end) and 35.41g in weight.



Discussion: The exact identity of this object remains uncertain due to its completeness and wear. It resembles both the socket of bronze age spears e.g. OXON-0CE8E2, SOM-71B58D etc. and ferrules dated form the bronze age to Roman period e.g. HAMP-A36D91, LANCUM-BF58B9 etc.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight: 25.04 g
Description: Fragment of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe dating to 1100to 800 BC. This items of a fragment of the socket (20% of the aperture) and the side containing the low oval loop. The front a rear face of the axe are truncated as is the forward blade.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 65.07 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 7 g
Description: A complete copper-alloy Awl of probable late Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The awl is square in cross section along most of its length, and tapers to a rounded point at one terminal. At the other terminal it flattens to become rectangular, before ending in a chisel-shaped terminal.



Length: 65.07mm, Width: 5.69mm, Thickness: 5.00mm, Weight: 7.0g



The metal is dark brown in colour with a predominantly smooth patina.



Cf. OXON-C4D536 on the database which states: 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). Awls 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).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.25 mm
Thickness: 7.01 mm
Weight: 20.8 g
Description: A fragment of a copper alloy Blade, Dagger or Rapier, of Mid to Late Bronze Age date (1600-800 BC). The object is rectangular in plan and a pointed oval in cross section. There is visible bevel along the left and right hand edges away from the mid-rib.



The metal is a dark brown in colour with a predominantly patina.



Length: 27.25mm, Width: 26.06mm, Thickness: 7.01mm, Weight: 20.8g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -2050)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Clifton upon Teme, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 101.8 mm
Thickness: 6.07 mm
Weight: 88.81 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy flat axe dating to the early Bronze Age period (c. 2350-2050 BC). The object is sub-trinagular in plan and lentoid in section. The cutting end flares out but is damaged at the tips. The cutting edge is much worn and chipped. The opposing end is thin-butted and also shows signs of chipping. The object has a light green patina. The surface is abraded and there are a few deep scratches on both faces, probably from plough damage. 



Comparable examples can be seen in Nicholson (1980: 81) nos 177-8. 



The overall dimensions are as follows: 101.80mm in length,  43.59mm in width,  6.07mm in thickness and 88.81g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sydling St. Nicholas, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.58 mm
Thickness: 4.76 mm
Weight: 5.66 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy awl or tracer. The awl has two distinct elements: A circular sectioned, cone-shaped end Awl) and and a flat, wedge-shaped, rectangular cross sectioned end (tracer).

Date: Late Bronze - c. 1150 - 800 BC

Dimensions: 52.58 mm x 7.04 mm x 4.76 mm

Weight: 5.66 g



There are several similar objects recorded on the PAS database. For example DOR-AD7774, DOR-79E277, SOM-D995B1, SOM-7C6ED1 and SOM-990775 in which Laura Burnett notes: Plain copper alloy awls are hard to date precisely but ones of this form are known to have been introduced in the Bronze Age (2150-800 BC) with most being Late Bronze Age in date (1150-800 BC).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1800 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Unstone, North East Derbyshire, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 121 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight: 351 g
Description: Late Early to early Middle Bronze Age copper alloy flanged palstave axe head. The flanges start at the butt and rise to form a lozenge in profile, then rejoin at a point a third of the way between the low transverse stop ridge and the point where the axehead starts to flare to the curved cutting edge.  The cutting  edge  appears mostly free from wear, the butt has some damage, with small chips. A similar form is illustrated in Rowlands, plate 26. Also Nicholson, 203.(f)



Length 121 mm,  width 30 mm, width of cutting edge 53 mm, thickness ( at flange) 36 mm.



Weight 351 g









Dates from c 1800 to c 1500 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: , High Peak, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 54 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 22 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy chisle or miniature axehead of Early Bronze Age date c 1700 - 1500 BCE . The blade has a crescent cutting edge with pointed terminals,  the cutting edge is 24 mm wide. The sides are slightly flanged, creating a long elipse in profile. There is a stopping ridge in a central position. The butt is straight. The object has a mottled green and brown patina with some corrosion along the cutting edge. 



The length is 54 mm, width  11 mm , thickness 6 mm weight 22 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Anvil (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1200)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Scoulton, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 83 mm
Thickness: 35.5 mm
Weight: 406 g
Description: Substantial Bronze Age anvil, solid cast sub-cuboid head with an elongated sub-oval sectioned spike or beak/bec, the top of the head is gabled, one side longer than the other creating an off-centre arris with two working surfaces approximately 110 degrees from each other. All faces of the head and beak are intentionally slightly convex, one of the faces set at 90 degrees to the spike has a sub-circular rough divot in alignment to the arris on top, this is very likely to be the remains of a second beak/spike that has broken in antiquity, presumably through use. The remaining original surfaces are dark chocolate brown with the recent losses to the surface now mid-green. There are some inconsistencies with the casting on the head, mostly to the side with the missing projection, the other work surfaces are cleaned up a little after casting, but the the angled top of the head has had more attention, it is neatly finished with slight angled scratches to the surfaces from abrasion, presumably from grinding and polishing with some sort of fine-grained stone, there are at least four impressions from a fine semi-circular punch to the larger work surface of the angled head, there appears to be a much deeper punch mark of the same type just below and to one side of the missing beak.

If&nbsp;this anvil&nbsp;did have two beaks/becs initially, it would be classified as a Armbruster, B. et al (2019) Class 2 anvil. See&nbsp;NMS-15E1DC&nbsp;for a much smaller example of a broadly similar type from Norfolk, also see:&nbsp;PUBLIC-B21001&nbsp;and&nbsp;KENT-0278AC&nbsp;for other examples&nbsp;recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

The British examples &ldquo;fall into two broad groups; about half the associations are dated to the later Middle Bronze Age and half to the full Late Bronze Age.&rdquo; Ehrenberg , M.R. (1981), page 22, it is likely this example is to be dated to the earlier period, &nbsp;circa. 1,400 to 1,200 BC as the workmanship, patination and condition is consistent with many of the&nbsp;Middle Bronze Age metalwork recovered in Norfolk.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Bead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1300 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Odiham, Hart, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 16.34 mm
Thickness: 5.76 mm
Weight: 5.33 g
Description: A complete solid copper alloy bead dating to the middle Bronze Age (1300-1150).



The bead is circular with a bi-conical profile with a central perforation measuring 7.7mm in diameter. The surface is smooth and undecorated with a mid green patina.



Dimensions: Diameter 16.34mm; thickness 5.76mm; weight 5.33g



Similar examples of copper alloy beads recorded on the PAS database include  CAM-DD9C51 and LEIC-3641F5. A gold example from Gloucestershire, GLO-46CA05 (2014T358) has also been reported and the record by Kurt Adams comments: "The gold bead is likely to date to the Middle Bronze Age (c.1500-1100 BC) based on several close comparanda. The three biconical gold beads from the Burton, Wrexham, hoard are similar in form, size and weight to the Salthouse bead (PAS-5B1745; Gwilt et al. in Barton 2011). The Burton hoard comprised of several typo-chronologically distinctive artefacts (including bronze palstaves) that allow it to be dated to c.1300-1150 BC (Ibid.). The bead is also similar to those from Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire and Harlow, Essex, the former from a stratified Middle Bronze Age context (Varndell 2000, 12, no.1; 2005/6, 17, 270, no.6), and Buriton, Hampshire (HAMP-72E451).



Middle Bronze Age gold beads are a relatively rare find (Murgia et al. forthcoming) and can be contextualised with reference to the so-called 'ornament horizon(s)', which see a proliferation of bronze and gold ornaments in Southern England and Britain (respectively) during the period c.1400-1100 BC (Smith 1959; Roberts 2007)."
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Blade (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1450 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Alfriston, Wealden, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47.18 mm
Thickness: 5.13 mm
Weight: 9.09 g
Description: A fragment of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy dirk or rapier dating c. 1450-1150BC. 



The triangular fragment forms the tip of a blade. It is lozenge shaped in section with a worn central midrib on each face. The blade is slightly bent. There is a worn transverse flat break, and the edges and surfaces are also worn and abraded. The object is pale green with patches of a dark green patina. 



Measurements: length: 47.18mm; width: 14.44mm; thickness: 5.13mm and weight: 9.09g. 



Other recorded examples include: SUR-E7A00E; WMID-871F5F; SUR-1DB3FB and a complet.e example LVPL-2D3369
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Norden, Rochdale, Rochdale (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 151 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight: 360 g
Description: An almost complete copper alloy unlooped palstave axehead (Group II) of middle Bronze Age date (1500-1300 BC).



The blade of the palstave has convex expanding sides, and a convex cutting edge. The cutting edge is blunt and abraded and is slightly asymmetrical. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the thickest section being at the stop ridge. Below the stop ridge descends a vertical rib that extends to the top of the edge bevel. Here the sides are slightly thickened in line with the central rib to create three ribs separated by two hollows.



The rear part of the axe (from the stop ridge to the butt) is sub-rectangular in plan and sub-triangular in section. The butt of the axe has been slightly damaged and is incomplete. The septum (the area between the flange facets and the stop ridge) on one side is damaged with incomplete flanged facets. No casting seam is evident.



The object has a mid green patina with patches of dark brown. The surface is worn and corroded.



Dimensions: Length 151mm; width 60mm; thickness 25mm; weight 360g



Early Midribbed Palstaves belongs to the Acton Park Phase II of the Middle Bronze Age, corresponding to the earlier part of Needham's (1996) Period 5, dated to 1500 - 1300BC. A similar example on the PAS is WMID-763837
Notes: 
This find was recorded remotely, using images and measurements kindly provided by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: East Walton, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Two Late Bronze Age copper alloy awls, c.1000 - c.700 BC:



- incomplete, at the non-recent break the cross-section is rectangular. Beyond this it becomes round and tapers to a point. Weight 3.3g. Extant length 34.9mm. Width and thickness 4.1 and 3.8mm.



- complete, consisting of a short, round-sectioned part tapering to a pointed end and a tapering rectangular-sectioned tang. Weight 2.5g. Length 38.7mm. Width and thickness 4 and 3.8mm.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder