dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -1700)
Material: Copper 
Found: Wreningham, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 55.2 mm
Thickness: 7.6 mm
Weight: 73.52 g
Description: Very small Early Bronze Age flat axehead, probably of quite pure copper, in rather worn condition. Much of one face is purplish with small, thick patches of verdigris. On the other face there are only narrow purplish areas. Length 55.2mm. Width 39.8mm. Thickness 7.6mm. Weight 73.52g. c.2350 - c.1700 BC.



Field WG3
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whissendine, Rutland, Rutland ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 47 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight: 57.18 g
Description: Late Bronze age copper alloy sword fragment, 47mm wide, 35mm high and 13mm thick with a weight of 57.18grams. The fragment is very abraided and consists of a triangular fragment with an eliptical cross section and represents part of a handle and blade of a sword. The object consists of two seperate pieces of metal, the blade and the handle fragment which surrounds it. When viewed from above the blade, 35mm long, has a narrow eliptical cross section which becomes narrower and thicker as it travels through the handle, until it has an oval cross section as viewed from below.

The blade is surrounded by the upper part of the handle. On both sides, the upper edge of the handle drops down and inwards from each end forming a semi-circular depression in its centre and creating sub-rectangular &#39;projections&#39; at each side. It also tapers in width, narrowing towards the present base, to accomodate the users hand. On each side of the handle, centrally placed in the projections are &#39;dummy&#39; rivets. These are positioned to correspond with those on the opposite side and one set are slightly deeper set than the others (The rough sketch attached shows the position of the &#39;dummy&#39; rivets).

Neil Wilkin has identified the fragment as &#39;belonging to a relatively small group of British swords with &#39;solid&#39; bronze hilts rather than organic ones (Burgess &amp; Colquhoun 1981, 122, no. 751-5), including a recent discovery from Cherry Burton, Yorkshire (YORYM-958D05). This type of sword has parallels in continental Europe (cf. Von Quillfeldt 1995) . In terms of chronology, it belongs to the Late Bronze Age of the Ewart Park phase (c.950-800 cal BC)&#39;.
Subsequent action: Donated to a museum
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -801)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shrewton, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.84 mm
Thickness: 6.03 mm
Weight: 4.73 g
Description: A fragment of a Bronze Age axe or palstave, only a fragment of the blade tip survives. The fragment is broadly triangular and triangular in cross section. The fragment tapers from the break (5.95mm) to the cutting edge (1mm).



The fragment is 22.7mm in length, 12.1mm wide, 6mm thick and weighs 4.73 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Middleton, North Warwickshire, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 25.9 mm
Thickness: 6.2 mm
Weight: 3.6 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy, possible tip from a spear head, of probable Middle Bronze Age dating (1500 BC to 1150 BC).



Around 5% of the spear head is present, consisting only of the possible tip. It is sub triangular in shape, with a circular cross section. Traces of side blades are present to either side.



It measures 25.9 mm in length, 7.6 mm wide (base), 5.0 mm wide (tip) and 6.2 mm thick. It weighs 3.6 g.



The possible spear head is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Saxilby with Ingleby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 86 mm
Thickness: 18.8 mm
Weight: 57.81 g
Description: A copper alloy Middle Bronze Age spear (spearhead) dating from about 1550 - 1250 BC. The spear has a very short and rounded leaf shaped blade, and two side loops on the socket; Davis Group 6, 'developed side looped'.



The blade of the spear appears to be complete but it is unusually small at 37.4mm long and 24.6mm wide. The edge facets are about 3mm wide. The midrib continues to the very tip of the blade. It forms a pronounced rounded rib on each face. It can be described as conical, but is a little taller than it is wide.



There is 17mm between the base of the blade and the side loops. These are quite flat and have expanded pointed oval outer faces to the loops. The loops are 22.5mm long, 12mm wide and project 8mm from the shaft. Internally the loops are about 2mm wide and 7mm long. The casting seams are still visible between the loops and the blade but have been carefully trimmed. They are not visible between the loops and the mouth of the socket.



The mouth is circular and is 19.5mm external diameter. The walls are 2.8 - 3mm thick. The socket can be measured to at least 65.3mm deep. It tapers smoothly into the midrib.



The spear has a smooth tan brown patina with some slight pitting. Overall, it is 86mm long, 24.6mm wide, 18.8mm thick and is 57.81g.



Side-looped spearheads are Class IV and date from the early Middle Bronze Age. They are likely to belong to the Acton Park 2, Taunton (Cemmaes) or Penard metalwork assemblages, corresponding to Needham's (1997) Period 5, about 1500-1150 BC. GLO-F69302 is a similarly shaped example. Davis (2017) suggests that 'spearheads from the earlier MBA [Middle Bronze Age] were those with sockets extending into the blade, and with loops on the side of the socket'. He dates these 'to the Acton Park and Taunton phases, 1550-1250 BC', consequently this example has been dated similarly.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Sword (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Combe Fields, Rugby, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40.5 mm
Thickness: 2.82 mm
Weight: 9.76 g
Description: Probable Bronze Age (-1000 to -800) blade fragment: The copper alloy blade fragment is sub-rectangular with both terminals being broken, but not recently as the patina covers the break. One break is slightly upturned, which suggests the blade may have been bent to break it. In section the blade is an elongated, sub-pointed oval with the edges being slightly chamfered. There is no obvious mid rib on either face. The surface of the blade has a traces of a dark brown patina, otherwise the surface is heavily pitted. It measures 40.5mm long, 17.76mm wide, 2.82mm thick. It weighs 9.76 grams.



It is probably a fragment from a sword, dagger or rapier of the Late Bronze Age date.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Gayton, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 32 mm
Weight: 13.33 g
Description: Fragment of the mouth of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead. Extant length and width 32 and 23mm. Weight 13.33g. c.1000 - c.700 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Farnsfield, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 71.8 mm
Diameter: 12.2 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Weight: 41.7 g
Description: Incomplete, copper alloy, side looped and socketed spear (spearhead) of probably the Middle Bronze Age period, dating from c. BC 1500 - c. BC 1150.


Most of the spear remains but the tip, side loops and the bottom half of the base are missing.


The spearhead is sub-triangular in plan and profile with a sub-oval / leaf-shaped blade, hollow socket and the remains of two cast side loops. The blade (sides and tip) of the spearhead is incomplete having been damaged in the ploughsoil. Therefore, accurate dimensions of the blade length and width cannot be given. The surviving blade measures 44.01 mm in length, and is 28.7 mm wide. Along the centre of the blade is a lozenge (oval) shaped midrib. This midrib expands into the socket of the spear. The socket is sub-oval in cross section and expands evenly along its length. The base of the socket has been damaged and broken, the internal diameter is approximately 12.2 mm. The internal length of the socket is 43.8 mm which suggests that it may extend a short distance into the midrib of the blade. The remains of the two loops are located on either side at the base of the socket, they remain as two oval shaped lugs one on top of the other, evenly spaced, on either side. These two loops would have originally been used to help attach and secure the spearhead to the wooden shaft. They also may have been used as suspension loops for some form of tassel or decoration. There are no visible areas of cast or incised decoration on the spearhead. 

The spear measures 71.8 mm length, has a maximum width of 28.7 mm and maximum thickness of 14.5 mm. The blade has a thickness of 9.1 mm, and the wall of the socket is 2.7 mm thick. The spearhead weighs 41.7 grams. 

The spearhead is a dark-brown green colour. Originally it would have had a heavy polished patina that covered all surfaces. This patina has been badly abraded in many areas and there are several large pock marks on both the blade and the socket. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail and has resulted in the loss of part of the base and the tip of the object. 

Similar looped spearheads have been dated by Margaret Ehrenberg to the Middle Bronze Age specifically the Acton Park 2, Taunton (Cemmaes) or Pennard metalworking traditions (c. 1500 - 1150BC). Others have been recorded on the database, including HESH-218915. 

Ref:

Ehrenberg, M.R., 1977 Bronze Age Spearheads from Berks, Bucks and Oxon Oxford : British Archaeological Reports 34. 



The missing tip of the spear head was discovered in December 2016 and has been recorded DENO-448691
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ayston, Rutland, Rutland (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 62 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 53.35 g
Description: Early to Middle Bronze age copper alloy flanged axehead, Length 62mm, width 17mm, thickness 11mm, weight 53.35g. The object is complete and in fair condition. It has a slightly damaged rounded blade. The object narrows from this point becoming rectangular in form and cross section. The body of the axe has rounded sides which expand upwards to form a flange along each long edge on both surfaces. The axe is very similar to NMS-370DE4.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Frampton, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.04 mm
Thickness: 5.53 mm
Weight: 13.54 g
Description: A fragment of a late Bronze Age socketed axe. The fragment is J-shaped in section and roughly rectangular in plan. There is a clear mould line evident.   On the inner edge of the lip there is a possible sprue from casting waste.  The fragment has a grey green patina. The length is 24.40mm, maximum width is 33.77mm, maximum thickness of the lip 5.53mm. The weight is 13.54 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Razor (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to 1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Swyncombe, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 53.53 mm
Weight: 3.94 g
Description: 
An elongated fragment of thin copper-alloy sheet, now very 'nibbled' along its edges and likely to be part of a razor of Bronze Age date. The fragment tapers and the narrower end is straight. The narrower end is pierced by a circular attachment hole. The opposite end may be incomplete. On both sides is a series of low parallel ridges which may be the result of hammering.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1900 to -1700)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Steeton with Eastburn, Bradford, Bradford (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 205 mm
Thickness: 12.9 mm
Weight: 604 g
Description: A copper alloy Early Bronze Age flat axe probably dating from 1900 - 1700 BC. This fits into metalworking stage V-VI, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3-4. The axe is decorated with rain pattern and bands of incised herringbone pattern.



The axe has a rounded butt which is about 30mm wide. The sides are straight for most of their length, then flare outwards to form a crescentic cutting edge with concave shoulders. The axe is thickest at the proto stop ridge (12.9mm thick) where the face of the butt and the face of the blade change in angle. This thickened area is decorated with a band of herringbone pattern incised across the axe. The band of decoration is 5.1mm wide and is divided into two rows of oblique lines, each row sloping in a different direction.



The cuttin edge is damaged, chipped and corroded with pitting and concretion adhering. It is 99mm wide but the tips are missing. The breaks are patinated. The first visible decoation is 16mm from the cutting edge. It is a group of at least three lines which follow the line of the cutting edge. Inside them is a band 7mm wide which is decorated with widely spaced lines forming triangles. Only one and a half are visible. Behind this band is a 9mm wide panel of herringbone pattern. The area is divided into three zones with incised lines following the line of the cuttin edge. The spaces are filled with punched oblique lines.



The sides of the face have a border of two engraved parallel lines, 2mm apart, following the line of the edge of the axe. This runs from the inside edge of the triple herringbone band, is unterrupted by the herringbone at the stop ridge, and contines to at least 50mm from the butt. Wherever the original surface survives on the butt and the blade, there is rain pattern; wide, shallow depressions, from 3 - 10mm long and about 0.5 - 0.7mm wide, orientated along the length of the axe.



The other face of the axe appears to be decorated in the same way, but has less detail surviving. It is uncertain whether some transverse lines across the middle of the butt are decoration or later damage. More rain pattern is visible.



The sides of the axe are thickened, but are not developed into flanges. They do not appear to be decorated, but little original surface survives and they are pitted.



The axe is similar to Willerby metalwork illustrated on page 125 of Rohn and Needham (1998), especially number 58. Compare also CORN-C53643 and SF-9072A6. The axe is 205mm long, 99mm wide and 12.9mm thick. 604g. It has a smooth dark grey green patina surviving in places, but much of the axe is pitted and corroded and is a bright green to white colour, especially at the ends.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ford, Northumberland, Northumberland (North East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63.43 mm
Thickness: 3.28 mm
Weight: 10.9 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy tanged dagger or knife blade of late Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The object is composed of a single cast piece with a slight central ridge. The shaft is rectangular with a single, central, circular perforation at its upper end. A minor amount of the shaft is missing due to an old break. The blade is wider below the shaft to form angular shoulders which then taper to a point at its lower end.



The metal is a dark green with lighter green patches and has a pitted and corroded patina.



Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Database: Unique ID: BERK-302CB3, Unique ID: DOR-FAC625 and Unique ID: LIN-01C457
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Rock, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37.49 mm
Thickness: 17.69 mm
Weight: 19.02 g
Description: Middle or Late Bronze Age (1500 BC to 800 BC) spearhead or ferrule: The socket remains of the copper alloy spearhead, or ferrule. The socket tapers towards the upper edge. The base is abraded and incomplete, and there is a possible rivet hole at the edge. At the base the void is 13.11mmx12.46mm on the interior, and the wall varies between 3.2mm and 2mm thick. The upper edge is broken, but not recently. Towards the upper edge there is an irregular hole on one side, this is not recent damage. The surface of the socket has a well-developed incomplete heavy mid to dark green patina.  
It measures 37.49mm in length, 18.84mm wide, 17.69mm thick and weighs 19.02g.
The socket is probably a middle or late Bronze Age socketed spearhead or ferrule.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sheriffhales, Shropshire, Shropshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 159.16 mm
Thickness: 29.16 mm
Weight: 398 g
Description: Middle Bronze Age copper-alloy Group III palstave (1500-1300 BC): A copper alloy palstave with very feint single mid rib and raised flange facets. The blade of the palstave is sub-triangular in plan with slightly concave sides, and flared blade tips. On both faces of the blade there is a feint single mid rib which appears to continue to the mid section of the blade. The surface of the blade has only small patches of a dark brown patina, mainly within the hollows, otherwise the surface is pitted. The cutting edge is rounded due to abrasion, but appears to be slightly asymmetrical. The blade facet is 11.62mm wide. The sides of the blade are concave in plan, and this curvature stops at the junction of the blade and flange side. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the widest section being before the stop ridge. Both sides of the blade have a feint trace of a casting seam. There is a prominent stop-ridge which is rectangular in plan. Before the stop ridge, on both faces, there is a small shield-shaped/pattern decoration. The flange sides are a sub triangle in profile with casting seams, and are incomplete. One side, at the junction of the blade and stop there is an incomplete, integral loop which has a sub-lozenge section. The void is a sub semi-circle. In plan the septrum tapers slightly towards the butt, whose butt is rectangular with rounded corners. On one face of the butt terminal there are two large air holes visible. The palstave measures 159.16mm long from the blade cutting edge to the butt, 59.90mm wide from one blade tip to the other, and 29.16mm thick across the stop ridges. It weighs 398g.



The palstave is an early example and is classified as a Group III type which has a mid rib decoration. Dot Broughton comments that 'shield-pattern below the stop ridge is small compared to others'. These group of palstaves date to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to 1500-1300 BC.



Peter Reavill comments that the palstave '...fits within Acton Park II or Taunton metalworking assemblage.' Therefore this can be classified further as fitting within Needham Period 5, Burgess Metalworking phase VIII. Similar axes are illustrated in Savoury (1980), Figure 22, Nos. 162 and 164.



Savory, H.N. 1980 Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections National Museum of Wales, Cardiff
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Chisel (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Codford, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 48.1 mm
Thickness: 6.28 mm
Weight: 7.88 g
Description: 
A late Bronze Age copper-alloy chisel with a rectangular-sectioned tang and a pronounced collar. The chisel is in good condition with only a slight loss from the blade.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Pin (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Clanfield, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 180 mm
Diameter: 23.7 mm
Weight: 32.7 g
Description: A Middle Bronze Age pin with a disc-shaped head, decorated shaft and perforated swelling on the shaft. The pin is a derivative of a Picardy-type pin and dates to c1400-1250BC. The pin is now bent but is complete and, if straight, measures 180mm. The surfaces are now mainly dark brown and there are iron-rich surface deposits, especially underneath the head of the pin. The disc-shaped head is 23.70mm in diameter and has a prominent rim on its upper face. The face of the disc is left rough and gives the impression there was an inlay made from a different material. Less than midway along the shaft is a prominent projection in the form of an elongated diamond which is pierced by a transverse hole now filled with corrosion products. Surface damage to the projection reveals a bright yellow metal.



Between this projection and the sloping base of the head the shaft is extensively decorated. The decoration comprises three, or more probably four, bands of (4 or 5) encircling grooves. Between each group of encircling grooves the shaft is covered with bands of alternating diagonal hatching.



Picardy type pins are dated from the early Taunton phase of the Bronze Age and according to the most recent interpretations probably go out of use by the Renard phase, giving a date range of between c.1400 and 1250 BC (Roberts, 2007: 141). These pins are still very rare along the Atlantic seabord although there are two others known from Suffolk and at least one from Norfolk, but in general they seem confined to southern and south-eastern Britain.
Notes: See SF-509598 for the head of a similar pin and further comment.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Broughton, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 13.19 mm
Thickness: 8.31 mm
Weight: 7.42 g
Description: 
A fragment comprising the butt of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave. The fragment is in good condition and the beginning of the side wings are visible.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Thickness: 4.91 mm
Weight: 1.99 g
Description: 
A chip from the blade of a Middle - Late Bronze Age copper alloy axe.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hurstbourne Priors, Basingstoke and Deane, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 40.11 mm
Thickness: 27.7 mm
Weight: 117 g
Description: A lump of possible Bronze Age copper alloy metal working debris weighing 117g. The lump retains one flat side.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nether Wallop, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63.28 mm
Thickness: 4.23 mm
Weight: 7.12 g
Description: A bent Bronze Age - Iron Age copper alloy awl. The awl is 63mm long; it has a chisel at one end and a point at the other. The awl is rectangular in section.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nether Wallop, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 73.4 mm
Thickness: 3.97 mm
Description: A bent Bronze Age - Iron Age copper alloy awl 73mm long. The awl has a chisel at one end where the section is rectangular, and a point at the other end which is circular in section.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1800 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: South Petherton, South Somerset, Somerset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight: 11.46 g
Description: Copper alloy Bronze Age palstave axe fragment. This is the butt of the axe which consists of a rounded terminal, both the top and bottom surfaces are slightly dished resulting in the sides becoming expanded. This fragment represents only about 5-10% of the original artefact.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Metal Working Debris (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-2500 to -350)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whitchurch, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Two fragments of possible Bronze Age - Early Iron Age copper alloy possible casting debris both rounded with one concave side.  They are 22.40 cm in length and 4.24g and 20.84mm in length and 2.10g respectively.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bray, Windsor and Maidenhead, Windsor and Maidenhead (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34.82 mm
Thickness: 13.74 mm
Weight: 52.58 g
Description: A fagment comprising the blade and the base of the socket of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe, Meldreth type, dating from c. 1000-800BC. The sides of the axe facetted, with three facets to each side, and there are traces of filing on the blade. The blade edge itself is eroded. The axe has a dark brown patina.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Great Dunmow, Uttlesford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 77 mm
Description: Incomplete copper alloy Early Bronze age flat axehead, dating 2150 -1500 BC. The butt of the axe head is lost. It starts narrow but gradually widens, resulting in a flared cutting edge. There is a great deal of damage and wear to the axe. The metal is dark green with a patchy light green patina. 



The object 77mm in length



It is a similar form to SWYOR-9EC7C9.
Notes: 
Record created by the images and information supplied by finder. Artefact/coin not seen by FLO

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Charley, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 153 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Description: Middle Bronze Age copper-alloy Group III palstave (1500-1300 BC), 153mm long, 58mm wide and 27mm thick. The object is in a worn but fair condition with some original surface present. It has a rectangular form and cross section at the butt end with a prominent stop rib and gently tapering flanges. On one side the circular scars of a handle can be seen, positioned in the butt end, with one end aligned to the stop rib. At the blade end the object begins with an almost square cross section at which point there is a prominent, wide rib, visible on both faces, which runs about half the length of the blade. The blade tapers in width to the point and is triangular in form with a wide curving tip, which is intact but very worn.



The object fits Burgess group IIIa and is similar to examples in BAR233 p.8. fig.47/48.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-2300 to 1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Charley, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 60 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 37.65 g
Description: Undated copper alloy rectangular object, 60mm long, 17mm wide and 8mm thick with a weight of 37.65grams. The object is rectangular in form and cross section with rounded edges. It is very abraided and has no obvious decoration, but its patina and condition suggest it is of some age.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Northmoor, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 380 mm
Diameter: 6.59 mm
Thickness: 5.88 mm
Weight: 188.2 g
Description: A middle Bronze Age copper alloy rapier dating 1500-1150 BC. This rapier has the characteristic thin narrow blade that expands to form a plate with rounded end and two rivet holes for attachment to the hilt.  There is a slight notch just below the rivet hole on each side.  The blade has a flattened, broad central mid rib.  The blade is bent so that it now forms a gentle curve when viewed in profile.  There are some notches along the cutting edges but these may be due to post depositional damage.



Dimensions: length:  380mm; width: 46.59mm; thickness: 5.88mm; diameterof rivet holes: 6.59mm; maximum width of blade: 24.48mm; weight: 380g.



Very similar examples are reported in the middle Bronze Age hoards found at Taunton and Penard (Rohl & Needham 1998:129, 131) and also recorded on the PAS database e.g. BERK-6C30D2 and BUC-680280. 



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.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wolsingham, County Durham, County Durham (North East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 71.7 mm
Thickness: 4.13 mm
Weight: 83.4 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy socketed axe head of Bronze Age date (1000-800 BC). The object has a crescent cutting edge, upper suspension loop and a raised moulded collar. One side of the body of the object is missing a portion at the socketed end, a fragment of which was found with the object. The inner surface of the object has a raised longitudinally running rib on both sides,



The metal is a light green in colour with a pitted and corroded patina.



Length: 71.7mm, Width: 46.19mm, Thickness: 4.13mm, Weight: 83.4g.



Fragment: Length: 29.18mm, Width: 19.29mm, Thickness: 2.7mm, Weight: 3.1g.
Notes: 
Although later than most pieces we record this is of local interest

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Votive Model (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1000 to -500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Barham Downs, Canterbury, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 19.8 mm
Thickness: 2.7 mm
Weight: 2.17 g
Description: A complete Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age copper alloy Votive Model of a miniature wheel dated to c. 1000-500 BC. The wheel is circular in plan with a trapezoidal shaped 'axel' from which four spokes radiate before joining the outer rim. The rim of the wheel and the spokes are rectangular in cross section. There is a circular perforation in the centre of the axle which appears to have been drilled. The upper surface of the model is covered with striations in one direction which appear to have been creating by an abrasive surface. The reverse of the model is not decorated. The object has been bent on one side, probably post depositional damage.



The model is 19.8mm in diameter, 2.7mm thick and weighs 2.17 grams.



On the record for HESH-C53CF4, which is very similar to this example, Peter Reavill writes:



"This form of artefact is relatively rare and the PAS has only recorded one other example from Thimbleby, Lincolnshire (DENO-0BBA52). Images of this artefact were sent to Dr Adam Gwilt at NGMW, Cardiff. Dr Gwilt suggested that similar comparable artefacts had been recorded in the late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age assemblage from the votive site at Flag Fen, Peterborough, amongst the Iron Age Salisbury hoard, and also the Hounslow Hoard. "



A very similar example has also been recorded from Kent: KENT-9348EE.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Shouldham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Norfolk ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 34 mm
Thickness: 3.5 mm
Weight: 52.62 g
Description: Three non-joining fragments of probably the one Middle Bronze Age copper alloy rapier or dirk with part of the hafting-plate with broken rivet-holes (extant width 34mm, extant length 36) and two fragments of blade with flat median rib, corroded and pitted with damaged edges (extant width 20mm and 19mm, extant lengths 70mm and 65mm). Blade 3.5mm thick. Combined weight 52.62g. 1600-1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ring (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -701)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Saham Toney, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Diameter: 41.5 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Description: Probably Late Bronze Age copper alloy ring. Circular-sectioned, narrowing slightly at one point perhaps through wear. Irregular corrosion, with a grey sheen from a high white metal content on the patinated areas. External diameter 41.5mm. Internal diameter 39.5mm. Diameter of section 6 - 8mm. 1000 - 701BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Ribbon (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Gold 
Found: Folkton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 60.5 mm
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Weight: 6.8 g
Description: Description



Two joining fragments form a parallel sided strip, or ribbon. The whole is heavily disfigured by buckling and denting, including a sharp bend at the break Both ends are neatly squared suggesting that the complete object is present. One of the terminals is emphasised by a slight external beading. Prior to damage, the back would have been flat, while the front carries twenty-four very finely incised grooves aligned longitudinally.





Extant lengths 60.5 & 41.5 mm Length stretched out  c.117 mm width c. 17.5 mm thickness c. 0.5 mm weights  6.1 & 3.6 g
Notes: Identification



This object cannot be identified with total certainty, but similar multi-grooved ribbon ornaments of Bronze Age date and varied in size are known from north-west Europe; this provides the most likely cultural background. The length of the ribbon, if complete, is too short for other than a child’s bracelet. Another ornamental function is more likely.





Narrow-ribbon ornaments from the Saint-Marc-le-Blanc hoard, Brittany, have fewer and correspondingly broader ribs/grooves. They are finer on an earring from Saint-Père-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique) and finer still on some Irish Bronze Age ornaments. Among the latter are examples in two important associations, from Saintjohns, Co Kildare, and Derrinboy, Co Offaly. The Derrinboy pieces have enhanced ribs along the long edges not present on the Flixton object, but they are of similar length. Good parallels are harder to find in Britain, but there is a similar grooved strip from The Hamel, Oxford, excavated from a layer which also yielded Beaker pottery of the Early Bronze Age. Three gold grooved strips from Scottish grave finds which served as pommel mounts for Early Bronze Age daggers are crafted differently and may be less relevant.





Conclusion



This object is predominantly of precious metal, is almost certainly over 300 years old and potentially of archaeological interest both locally and for broader stylistic studies.





Dr S.P. Needham



Department of Prehistory & Europe



British Museum





This Treasure Case was reported prior to 2007 at which time PAS database records for items of potential Treasure became mandatory. As such some information may be missing from the record and no image of the object could be located.



The details of this find are now being added as part of a retrospective documentation project by the FLO in order to ensure maximum retention and accessibility of knowledge.
Subsequent action: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Object: Flanged Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1500)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aston Sandford, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 74.48 mm
Thickness: 12.8 mm
Weight: 91.8 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy late Early Bronze Age to early Middle Iron Age developed flanged axehead probably dating to between 1700-1500 BC. The axehead has a narrow round-ended butt, which widens slightly down the length of the axehead before widening into a thin crescentic blade with pointed ends. Along the length of the axehead are two raised flanges, which produce a roughly H-shaped cross section. In profile the axehead is a pointed oval shape. The axehead is in good condition with a greeny-brown patina, with some small patches of corrosion ('bronze disease') present. This example is smaller than most other recorded on this database.



The axehead measures 74.48 mm long, 40 mm wide (at blade-end), and is 12.8mm thick. Weight: 91.8 grams
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2200 to -2000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: High Easter, Uttlesford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 73.69 mm
Thickness: 4.68 mm
Weight: 142.71 g
Description: A Copper Alloy Early Bronze Age flat axehead, dating to 2200-2000BC. Migdale type (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 35-44). The axehead is rectangular in shape with the butt being narrow, gradually widening to a flared cutting edge. All edges show signs of damage, though the butt end appears to have broken away. The blade end is also incredibly damaged. There is a light green patina with patches of dark brown corrosion in places.



The axehead is similar to the Migdale axes (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 35-44), although many of these have a wider flared cutting edge. A similar object can be seen in Schmidt & Burgess (1981, fig 190, plate 16).



The length of the axe is 73.69mm. The width of the butt is 20.45mm (4.68mm thickness) and the cutting edge is 38.68mm. The axehead weighs 142.71 grams. 



Reference: Schmidt, P. and Burgess, C. 1981. 'The Axes of Scotland and Northern England' C.H. Beck'Sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Munchen.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2050 to -1450)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Durnford, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 52.91 mm
Thickness: 5.17 mm
Weight: 20.82 g
Description: A copper alloy Early Bronze Age flat axehead dating to the period c. 2050 - 1450 BC. The axehead has a rounded butt which exhibits some old damage. It exhibits a lenticular profile. It widens along its length from 12.41mm at the butt end to 25.82mm at the blade end. The blade is rounded and the edge is incomplete due to old damage. The axehead exhibits a shiny dark green patina with a number of scratch marks on both sides. There are no casting seams visible.



The axehead exhibits similarities to Midgdale and Hopton type axes.



It measures 52.91mm in length, 12.41mm minimum width, 25.82mm maximum width, 2.68mm minimum width, 5.17mm maximum thickness and weighs 20.82g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: South Hanningfield, Chelmsford, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Height: 27.9 mm
Thickness: 5.56 mm
Weight: 13.56 g
Description: A fragment of a Late Bronze age socketed axe head, dating 1000-800 BC. All that remains is part of the rim of the object. There are traces of a loop which has since broken away. A moulded rib runs around the neck of the object. The metal is a light green with a mid-dark brown patina.



Dimensions: height: 27.90 mm; width: 25.57 mm; thickness: 5.56 mm; weight; 13.56g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1700 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Whalley, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 144 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight: 234.19 g
Description: A near complete but worn copper alloy unlooped palstave axe dating from the Middle Bronze Age (c.1700 BC - 1400 BC), belonging to the Arreton or Acton Park phase of Bronze Age metalwork. The main body of the axe is rectangular with the blade part flaring outwards to form a curved cutting edge.



The main body of the axe is rectangular with the blade part flaring outwards to form a curved cutting edge. The axe has a well-defined stop-ridge on both faces and the flat sides of the axe are lozenge-shaped from this stop ridge extending towards the butt of the axe.



The axe has notable pitting and corrosion on all faces and overall is a dark greenish-brown colour. The length is 144mm, the width of the blade is 46mm, thickness 25mm and the weight 234.19g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -600)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Nuthall, Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 50.7 mm
Thickness: 19.9 mm
Weight: 24.2 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy Late Bronze Age (c.1150-c.600 BC) pegged, socketed spearhead, missing the rim of its socket. Overall, the spearhead measures 50.7mm long, 24.5mm wide and 19.9mm thick. It weighs 24.20g.



The spearhead is small (stumpy). It has a short kite-shaped blade measuring 37.3mm long. The edges of the blade expand to a maximum of 5.1mm away from the midrib. The midrib extends to the tip of the blade. The midrib contains the socket for the spear's shaft, which is conical and expands rapidly towards the socket opening. The socket measures 35mm in depth and the opening has an external diameter of 22.9mm and an internal diameter 19.5mm. No organic material survives in the socket.



Below the blade there are four circular perforations through the rim of the socket, one on each side. Three of these are incomplete due to the broken rim of the socket. These perforations would have held pegs for holding the spearhead on the shaft. Normally pegged spearheads have only one or two holes which are aligned below the blade edges. The two holes aligned with the blade edges are both incomplete and have damaged edges coverd with pale corrosion product. The other two have much neater edges - the complete hole is a almost a perfect circle - with the same patination as the rest of the object. Drilled holes on similar spearheads tend to be quite rough so the neater holes may have been cast rather than drilled. 



An example of a similar pegged spearhead on the database is LVPL-D726F2.



Richard Davis says: These types of spearhead are normally found in hoards and are normally found in the Southeast. Besides the other example on the database, 58 spearheads of this type have been found in Britain. Five were found in hoard in Pembrokeshire, but most have been found in East Anglia around the edge of the Fenn or in the upper Thames Valley. Also 22 of them were found in the Blackmoor Hoard in Hampshire. This find suggests that there were links between the Trent Valley and the Southeast and that there was influence in Nottinghamshire area from the Southeast.



Colquhoun, I., 1979 'The Late Bronze Age Hoard from Blackmoor, Hampshire', in C. Burgess and D. Coombs (eds.), Bronze Age hoards. [British Series 67]. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports, 99-116.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -1100)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Bampton, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 234 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight: 107.55 g
Description: A late Middle to early Late Bronze Age (1400 - 1100 BC) copper alloy notched-butt type rapier has been deliberately broken in two prior to deposition.  The butt is trapezoid in form with shoulders that curve inwards to the narrow blade.  A single incomplete rivet hole/notch to the bottom of either side would secure the hilt in place, one of the notches still retains its rivet; the rivet is 15mm long with a 7mm diameter and has a slightly expanded domed head at either terminal. The centre of the butt has a low central rib on both sides that extends up to the base of the blade. The blade is straight and only tapers to a point in the last 25mm of its length; the overall length of the blade alone is approximately 166mm long, 20mm wide and 3.8mm thick.  The end of the blade has been snapped off, the angle of the break shows that the final 65mm of the blade was bent back on itself to about a 140 degree angle before the metal gave way and snapped. This is not post-depositional damage but a premeditated act prior to loss/burial.



The overall length including broken tip is 234mm





This fits within Burgess and Gerloff's Group IV Type, see WILT-AD8D05 for a similar example and further discussion.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spear (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1001)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Horningtoft, Breckland, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.4 mm
Weight: 6.17 g
Description: Fragment of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy spearhead, part of the socket with a side loop. Both ends are broken and about one third of the circumference is present. Extant length 36.4mm. Weight 6.17g. c.1600 - c.1000 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to 42)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Patching, Arun, West Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 20.59 mm
Thickness: 9.56 mm
Weight: 9.48 g
Description: A cast copper-alloy unidentified object of a known type usually referred to as 'moustache-like' or 'moustache shaped'. These objects are thought to date from the Middle Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age, after the discovery of one in the Salisbury Hoard (Stead, 1998, no.117) and various other finds reported to the PAS which are associated with Middle Bronze Age material. The object is a hollow three-dimensional pointed oval with a bulbous upper portion. It is decorated with a series of shallow longitudinal grooves which run down the exterior of the bulbous or bowl-shaped part of the item, apart from a small area on the base, which come to a halt about half way along the length of the item leaving the pointed terminus plain and undecorated. The majority of the bulbous part is hollow as can be seen from the opening at the wider end, which is roughly sub-oval at its deepest point. At the point where the two symmetrical bars join, there is a plain band of roughly 4.1 mm in width. The distance between the two lower pointed terminal-ends is approximately 14.9 mm wide, indicating that the aperture ranges from 5.7 mm wide to 12.5 mm long. The entire object measures 20.59 mm long, 18.06 mm wide, 9.56 mm thick and weighs 9.48 grams.



Other hollow examples include: SUSS-3AEC48, WILT-0C9A63, BH-A7CCB5 and BERK-403617. Unlike PAS recorded objects WILT-0C9A63 and NMS-0F4645 this example does not have two rivet holes, one each side of the opening. These holes are not seen on complete examples, such as this one, and may suggest repairs or a variation in design. The complete form gives the items the appearance of being shaped like a stylised moustache or pair of wings. The purpose of these items is unknown but chape is the usual suggestion.
Notes: 
Although their function is uncertain, multiple hypotheses have been suggested, including decorative mount, dagger or scabbard chape. Dr JD Hill at the British Museum suggests that they are Iron Age rather than Bronze Age, but this is yet to be confirmed by excavation of a stratified example (Oxford Archaeology recovered a stratified example from Clay Farm, Trumpington; however it has yet to be published.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder