dejp3/bronze-age-objects-pas huggingface dataset:
Object: Ribbon (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -800)
Material: Gold 
Found: Runhall, South Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 37 mm
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: 3.9 g
Description: Description: Incomplete gold strip of uncertain date (see discussion). Broadly rectangular with one complete end which exhibits a circular perforation. The strip is bent at a sharp angle and has a number of dents, terminating in a jagged break. There are extensive scratch marks, probably from post-depositional damage. 



Dimensions: Length (bent): 37mm. Approximate full length: c. 59mm. Width: 9mm. Thickness: 1mm. Weight: 3.9g. 



Discussion: The strip was found in an unstratified context during metal detecting. It has no decorative or other diagnostic features, and thus it is difficult to assign a date. Gold strips with perforations at one or both ends first appear in the Bronze Age (e.g. BH-1BE953 / 2014 T901, DOR-173265 / 2006 T380, CORN-8EC344 / 2014 T39). Although some others (e.g. NCL-59F7F8) have been considered undiagnostic and not provably over 300 years old, the balance of probabilities suggests that this example may well be of Bronze Age date.



Date: Bronze Age, 2350-800 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Hartlip, Swale, Kent ()
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 39.97 mm
Thickness: 5.16 mm
Weight: 21.2 g
Description: A fragment of cast copper alloy socketed axe, dating to the Late Bronze Age - c. 1000 - 800 BC.



Description: The fragment represents part of the socketed end of the axe and is unevenly shaped. Part of the rimmed collar for the socket remains. Just after the rim there is a side loop to help secure the axe to its handle. There is substantial casting line running from the rim and along the mid-line of the loop onto the body of the axe. It appears this casting feature has had very limited finishing. The fragment is dark green on the surfaces and a light green on the breaks which may suggest the axe was broken while in the ground but a substantial time after its deposition.



Measurements: 39.97mm long, 27.64mm wide 5.16mm thick and 21.20g in weight.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1400 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Fyfield and Tubney, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 113.7 mm
Diameter: 13.65 mm
Weight: 40.9 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy socketed spearhead dating from the Middle to Late Bronze Age c.1400-900 BC. The spearhead has a slender, tapering leaf-shaped (ogival) blade with slightly bevelled edges and two undrilled lozenge-shaped side 'loops' located near to the mouth of the socket, which is circular in plan and tapers internally. The spearhead is in good condition with some bronze disease and corrosion evident.



The loops may have been miscast as they are solid rather than having on internal eye. Spearheads with similar miscastings have been found locally; one from the same parish as this new example, now in the Ashmolean Museum (accession number Ash.M 1927.2706), another from Standlake (Ash.M. 1911.137) and a third recently recorded only c. 1 kilometre from this new example (BERK-5BCE29 on this database). Ehrenberg (1977:7) suggests that such miscast examples or those with unmade loops may indicate that the shaft of the spear was simply wedged in to the socket and not secured by strings. The shape of the blade may be the result of resharpening (Ibid; after Davey 1973:79).



The internal diameter of the socket is 13.65mm.



Ref: Bronze Age Spearheads from Bucks, Berks and Oxon. M. Ehrenberg, BAR 34, 1977.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 115.3 mm
Thickness: 24.9 mm
Weight: 439.8 g
Description: A complete copper alloy palstave axe dating to the early Middle Bronze Age. The palstave is complete and in good condition. The crescentic blade is wide and has a bevelled edge, clearer on one side than the other. The stop ridge between the raised low-flanged edges is likewise more prominent on one side than the other. There are no side loops nor a midrib down the centre of the blade.The lack of a side loop and lack of any ribs suggest this palstave may be relatively early and is probably of the Acton Park II period, c.1500-1400 BC.
Notes: 
The palstave has an odd blue staining on one side - this may be a chemical reaction with contaminants from agricultural activities.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axe (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2350 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sheering, Epping Forest, Essex (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 59.1 mm
Thickness: 7.1 mm
Weight: 28.44 g
Description: Blade tip of a Bronze Age axe.



The item is fragmentary and only the curved blade edge of the axe remains. This makes it difficult to identify and date precisely, though it is likely, due to the metal composition and form, that the fragment is Bronze Age in date, c. 2350 - 800BC.



The blade tip is lentoid in cross section, with the edges being the thinnest point (1.1mm), and the thickness gradually tapering toward the centre and away from the edge.



​Dimensions: weight: 28.44g, length: 59.1mm, width: 19.6mm, thickness at thickest point: 7.1mm
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Hoard (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Heydon, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Description: Summary of report for HM Coroner:



Bronze Age copper-alloy fragmentary metal work hoard which had been stored in a ceramic vessel that had later been hit by a plough/farm machinery and partially scattered a small distance around the location of the vessel. Some fragments of metal were still within the cracked vessel while others had dispersed slightly.



61 sherds of ceramic vessel (possibly Deverel Rimbury ware). 21 of these sherds are extremely small fragments. At least two of the larger sherds cross-fit.





8 fragments (of possible scabbard chape) with more than two sides.

40 fragments of probable scabbard chape with two sides present (one with an interesting square notch at break), 10 of which seem to have shaped top edges.

102 fragments of single side of probable scabbard chape (very thin sheet metal most but not all have at least one rib). One not photographed with the others.

8 fragments that seem to be from a hollow artefact more solid than a scabbard chape. One has a circular notch at the break.

21 fragments which have one or more rib on one surface and are fairly chunky/solid and relatively flat.

8 fragments that have diagnostic features.

143 fragments that are fairly solid and flat, almost none have any rib. 7 of which have incomplete notches on the break which may aid identification.

9 other metal fragments. Mostly set molten drips or blobs, one piece that seems to be a circular cross-sectioned short length of wire. One looks more like a small dusty sherd of ceramic vessel but has a more metallic weight to it.

2 fragments of cu. One is sheet metal with three sides, possibly scabbard chape. Another solid piece of metal is stuck within this three sided sheet metal. It is currently uncertain whether this is the remains of a blade within its chape or unrelated material lodged together.





Total fragments of cu. = 341.

Total fragments of ceramic vessel = 61.
Notes: Declared 'Treasure' at inquest 22/06/2022.
Subsequent action: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Frampton, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 68.8 mm
Thickness: 13.22 mm
Weight: 27.48 g
Description: An incomplete small copper alloy socketed and side-looped spearhead. Part of the socket has been broken off and the tip pf the spearhead is missing. The blades are short and leaf-shaped. The hollow of the socket extends 46 mm into the the spear. It is circular and tapers towards the tip, becoming lozengiform in cross section as it develops into the solid mid-rib between the blades. There are two small, oval, pierced side loops set opposite each other part way along the socket. There are traces of casting lines along the sides of the spearhead running from above the side loops to the base of the blades. Below the side loops, the casting lines appear to have been smoothed away.

Date: Early Middle Bronze Age, c. 1600-1400BC

Dimensions: 68.80 mm x 22.06 mm x 13.22 mm

Weight:. 27.58



Dot Boughton suggests LANCUM-7609C0 on the PAS database as a parrallel in which record she notes "Side-looped spearheads are Greenwell and Brewis' Class IV and date to 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, c. 1500-1150BC. The spearhead was likely to have been short and similar to Savory (1980) nos. 227 - 230, which Savory argues are of Acton Park metal, although no. 228 gave an analysis suggesting Penard metal. A side-looped spearhead from the Thames at Mortlake (DoB 31) has been radio-carbon dated by Needham et al (1997) producing an early radiocarbon date of 3225+/- 65BP (OxA-5948) 1680-1400BC with a 95% confidence rating."
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lewknor, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.32 mm
Thickness: 7.9 mm
Weight: 10.2 g
Description: A tip fragment of a copper-alloy spearhead of probable Middle Bronze Age date c. 1500 - 1150 BC. The remaining tip has a very well defined central rib that has a rounded diamond form, there is no indication of a socket remaining with this piece. The sides have a slight concave line to them, there are multiple longitudinal striations to the blade surfaces. The surface has a smooth dark green patina with some fritting to the rib and blades.



See Object Datasheet No.5  A Short Guide to Early and Middle Bronze Age Spearheads - Group 8 (possible)
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1250)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lewknor, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 70.1 mm
Thickness: 29.4 mm
Weight: 477.4 g
Description: A cast copper alloy slender un-looped Middle Bronze Age palstave, probably from the Taunton metalwork phase and dating from c. 1500- 1300 BC. The cutting edge has a pronounced crescentic form with the tips re-curving back onto the expanding form of the blade body. The body has a well-defined stop ridge just short of midway down its length and the flanges extend and taper, down to the blade section. There are clear casting lines down each side of the axe, there are no other design elements to be seen.



The blade appears to have been lightly used with a few small indentations and modest striations over its surface. However, it can't be ruled out that the markings are from its time and movement in the ground. The surface looks to have been 'treated' in some way with the resultant loss of the original patination - the finder reports that this palstave was found during works on a medieval moated site in the 1980s, and appears to have come from the dredge of the moat. This may explain the surface appearance of the axe. This palstave is unusual in the inclusion of flange extensions on the side of the blade but without a central midrib. Rowlands (1976: plate 26, nos. 252, 189, 238) illustrates three similar examples which he define as his type 2 (side flanged) form dating to c. 1500-1150 cal BC. There are no good parallels illustrated by Schmidt and Burgess (1981) although the form most closely corresponds to their Group 2 (early Mid ribbed) due to the flange extensions. They suggest this form is one of the earlier tpyes dating to the Acton Park to Taunton Phase of the bronze Age c.1500-1250 cal BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 30.15 mm
Weight: 43.54 g
Description: A fragment of a copper-alloy Late Bronze Age socketed axehead, dating to the period 1100 BC- 800 BC. All that remains of this axehead is the cutting edge, blade tip and part of the blade. It is possibly a Penard/Wilburton type, though exact categorisation is difficult as only a small portion of the axehead remains. The fragment measures 30.15mm in length and 35.63mm at maximum width on the cutting edge, before tapering down to 29.22mm on the blade. What remains of the axehead is triangular in cross-section. The patina is quite smooth, and light green in colour. The cutting edge has worn smooth. In total, the fragment weighs 43.54g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Filleigh, North Devon, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 148.8 mm
Thickness: 34.1 mm
Weight: 333 g
Description: A complete middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave, probably dating to c. 1500-1300 BC. The palstave is 148.8mm long, with the stop ridge being 62.1mm from the butt. Both the butt end and septum are rectangular, the latter being 10.8mm deep at the stop ridge, which is angled, sloping inwards. The flanges, 3.1mm thick, are lozenge-shaped when viewed in profile, reaching a maximum width of 34.1mm, expanding from 27.8mm at the stop ridge. In plan, the palstave is measures 16.6mm wide at the butt, expanding immediately below it to reach a maximum of 22.6mm roughly in line with the beginning of the flanges. The width then remains largely consistent, being 21.2mm at the stop ridge, below which point the blade begins to flare outwards in a gradual curve, reaching 58.7mm wide at the cutting edge, which is crescentic, with unflaired tips. In profile the blade is broadly triangular, narrowing immediately below the stop ridge in a curved line to 17.4mm, from which point the narrowing is more gradual, tapering to a point at the cutting edge. The blade is unflanged.



The palstave is looped, the inclusion of which takes the maximum width to 29.3mm, the lower edge of the loop is in line with the stop ridge, and it is 20.8mm long and 9.1mm wide (when the palstave is viewed in profile). Both sides of the palstave have longitudinal casting seams, relatively unpronounced. Both faces of the blade feature trident decoration immedieately below the stop ridge, this being a short central mid-rid contained within a shield shaped depression, itself defined by slightly raised ridges.



Overall dimensions: length 148.8mm; width 58.7mm; thickness 34.1mm; weight 333g.



A Palstave featuring very similar "trident" decoration can be seen illustrated by Pearce (1984, no. 809), described as being of high-flanged South-Western type. Another comparable palstave, although with lower flanges is published by Knight, Omrod & Pearce (2015, no. 460), from a small hoard in Somerset. Comparable palstaves on this database include LVPL-135122 and WAW-B8887E. The axehead probably fits into Needham's group III and the Acton Park II or Taunton metal working phases, and probably dates to c. 1500-1300 BC.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Winterbourne Stoke, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 49.24 mm
Thickness: 3.42 mm
Weight: 3.41 g
Description: A copper alloy Late Bronze Age awl dating to the period 1150 - 800 BC. The awl is elongated and has four broadly rectangular facets tapering slightly to both ends. It is almost square in cross section and its widest point is approximately at the centre of it. One of the end has a pointed tip, circular in cross-section and probably used to pierce leather and similar materials. The other end is rounded and D-shaped in cross section. The awl is smooth, udecorated and covered with a green patina. It measures 49.24mm in length, 3.64mm in width, 3.42 mm  thick and weighs 3.41g.



A similar awl is illustrated in Read B. (2001), p. 94, no. 694. Similar awls are also recorded on PAS database as SWYOR-220A7C, LEIC-1EA9CB and SUR-660898 and WILT-BBA285.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Winterbourne Stoke, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 12.41 mm
Thickness: 5.3 mm
Weight: 3.59 g
Description: An incomplete Middle Bronze Age cast copper-alloy fragment of a palstave-type axe dating to the period c. 1500-1000 BC. The fragment is the butt end of a palstave axe. The beginnings of the side wings survive. 



The fragment measures 12.41mm in length, 16.64mm width, 5.30mm in thickness, and weighs 3.59 g



Similar object are also recorded on PAS database as SF-A50CA6 and SUR-A10D3B.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 21.1 mm
Thickness: 8.7 mm
Weight: 11 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy moustache-like object probably dating from the Middle Bronze Age to Middle Iron Age (1500-300 BC).

The object consists of two pointed drop-shaped elements, D-shaped in cross-section and joined at their wider, rounded ends by a short, recessed oval neck. There are multiple longitudinal grooves on the upper face on both domed sides of the object, the tapering lower parts are plain. The two moustache tips or prongs flare slightly outwards and terminate with a small rounded knop. The central neck section of the object is plain and undecorated but the underside (between the two prongs) has a squared perforation, now filled with iron corrosion, presumably from whatever object the 'moustache' was mount on to.
Notes: These moustache-like 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). An example was found recently in a Middle Bronze Age context at Clay Farm, Cambridgeshire (Current Archaeology March 2012, Issue 264, 35). Some are 'single' examples while others are 'double' like this example, the drop-shaped elements often extending downwards rather more than outwards, for example YORYM-1AA0C5, SF-520513, HAMP-6F4C45 and BH-AA1CBE.



The open area at the centre of the object suggests it was meant to top something that fitted into this gap. Descriptions of other moustache-like objects with similar perforations describe iron corrosion or wood mineralisation around the perforation. Although very similar to wing-shaped chapes, it seems unlikely they had a similar function, as the perforation (and size of the object) is comparably small.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2000 to -1000)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sheldwich, Swale, Kent (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight: 47.21 g
Description: A worn fragment of cast probable Middle Bronze Age transitional or late looped palstave axe head.



The fragment of axe survives in the shape of a rough treapezium, with the wider, blade end being more rounded. In cross section it is rectangular to the narrower end and becomes more pointed oval in cross-section towards the blade edge. Due to have pitting no detail of casting seam or simialr casting imperfections are visible. In profile the cutting edge narrows to a rounded point, it is narrow which suggests that it is probably a transitional palstave, although due to wear it is not possible to be certain. There is a worn break across the body of the axe head, and much of the blade appears to be missing likely due to wear/resharpening. The axe head has a dark green mottled patina with patches of light great particularly around the heavy pitting on its surface. All edges are heavily worn suggesting much of the damage occured in antiquity.



Length: 36 mm, Width: 33 mm, Thickness: 11 mm, Weight: 47.21 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Gouge (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stinsford, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 73.71 mm
Thickness: 3.81 mm
Weight: 57.22 g
Description: A complete copper alloy socketed gouge. The upper part and socket are circualr in cross section. The socket is 15.2 mm in internal diameter and approiimately 50 mm in depth. Around the socket is a thick, rounded collar. The gouge tapers slightly and becomes C-shaped in cross section towards the cutting edge. There is casting line along each side. The cutting edge is slightly lopsided, probably as a result of use wear.
Date: Late Bronze Age - c. 1000 - 800 BC
Dimensions: 73.71 mm x 22.88 mm x 3.81 mm
Weight: 57.22 g



A silmilar gouge is recorded in database record DUR-06F0E8 and dated to the Ewart Park metalwork phase
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Rapier (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE ( to )
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Owermoigne, West Dorset, Dorset (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 141.65 mm
Thickness: 4.05 mm
Weight: 60.89 g
Description: A incomplete cast copper-alloy rapier. At the butt is a small, narrowed tang with a rounded end. It does not appear to be broken. The blade is expanded from the hilt with angled shoulders and tapers towards the bent and broken opposite end. It has a lenticular profile and a low mid-rib on both faces. It has possibly been deliberately broken in antiquity.

Date: Bronze Age c. 1600 - 1000 BC

Dimensions: 141.65 mm x 19.68 mm x 4.05 mm

Weight: 60.86 g
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1100 to -900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mountfield, Rother, East Sussex (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 95 mm
Description: An incomplete, cast, copper alloy, Bronze Age socketed axehead,1100-900BC.



The axehead has been damaged and is missing the loop that would have been attached to the top side. The blade has been worn down and is quite corroded, giving it a straigter profile rather than the more usual crescent. The sides of the axehead are smooth and the socket is almost circular in cross section. There is a defeined casting seam along the top and bottom edges. The axe has a slight taper from the blade but flares outward again at the socket. There is no decoration around the socket mouth.



There is a small knop of bronze on the inside of the socket which likely represents where the casting well was attached in the mould.  



There is a similar axehead in Savory 1980, pg.188 no.197, dated to the late Bronze Age.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Flat Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2150 to -1900)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Sparkwell, South Hams, Devon (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 63.3 mm
Thickness: 9.2 mm
Weight: 59.91 g
Description: A highly abraded Bronze Age copper alloy miniature flat axehead, probably dating to c. 2150-1900 BC. The axehead is broadly sub-rectangular in plan and rectangular in cross-section. The axe expands from a now rounded butt, 19.6mm wide, to the mid-point, 22.8mm wide. Below the mid-point, which is thickened in profile, 9.2mm thick compared to 4.6mm at the butt, there is break in angle, with the blade expanding to 28.2mm, where it terminates in a curved cutting edge. There is the suggestion of flanges running down either edge of the axehead, though they are difficult to discern by eye, and they are more prominent at the butt end - although the abrasion means that it is impossible to be sure if this was so originally.



Dimensions: length 63.3mm; width 28.2mm; thickness 9.2mm; weight 59.91g.



The axehead can be compared in terms of its general proportions to axes of the Brithdir metalworking phase published by Rohl and Needham (1998: fig. 24, esp. nos. 35 & 36), which share this example's relatively broad butt and lack of flaring blade tips. Although extremely small, a great variation in terms of size is a noted feature of axes of this period, with these smaller axes probably bing used for lighter woodworking (Moore & Rowlands 1972:13).
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -850)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Aston, Cote, Shifford and Chimney, West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 190 mm
Thickness: 1.5 mm
Weight: 8 g
Description: A cast tanged dagger or knife blade dating to the Late Bronze Age. The blade is broadly rectangular in plan, slender and with a plain cross-section. The blade has the remains of shoulders just beneath the narrowed rectangular tang - the blade is complete with a rounded tip. The tang has a single rivet hole with a sloping edge, being sub-circular in plan in the centre of the shoulders. The blade has a dark brown, almost iron-like patina.



A similar example can be found on the database: BERK-80BA1E.
Subsequent action: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pendleton, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 160 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Description: A complete copper alloy Middle Bronze Age unlooped palstave axehead (c.1500-c.1300 BC). The palstave shares typological features with Group I and Group II palstaves. These were the primary forms introduced to Britain in the Middle Bronze Age Schmidt and Burgess 1981). This particular axehead is probably a Group I (shield-pattern) type from the Acton Park phase of Bronze Age metalwork, distinguished by its shield-shaped decoration below the stop ridge (ibid.p.119). The axe is sub-triangular in plan and sub-rectangular in section, tapering to the blade terminal. The blade is narrow tapering and the axe is narrow and unlooped and the butt is broken. The patination suggests that itv was broken in antiquity. The axe has a well-defined, rounded stop-ridge on both sides rising at right angles to the septum. There are two pronounced flanges on either side which have been filed smooth. The septum is smooth and seemingly unworn and slightly inwardly curving. At the end of the septum is a moulded shield-shaped stop-ridge set transversely across the body. The blade is flared and the surface is smooth, bevelled and sharpened. Group I and II palstaves were the primary forms introduced to Britain in the Middle Bronze Age (ibid.p.119). This axe can be assigned to the Acton Park or early Taunton phase, circa 1450-1300 BC. The patination is a mid-green and pitting in the body of the axe suggests casting issues. The length is 160mm, the width is 53mm thickness 40mm and the weight too heavy for scales.



Pearce calls these palstaves 'the backbone of the Middle bronze Age industry' (page 23). They are a technical improvement on the ealrier flanged axes. The earliest palstaves lack side loops and have their blades decorated with a midrib (Group 1 type) like that from Chepstow, or with a shield pattern (Group 2 type). Early midrib and shield pattern palstaves were also being manufactured byt the Acton Park smiths of North Wales and by smiths in eastern Britain before 1400 BC.



Pearce, S.M., 1983 The Bronze Age Metalwork of South Western Britain Oxford : British Archaeological Reports , page 23 , fig 7c & 8e



Schmidt, P. K. and Burgess, C. B., 1981. The axes of Scotland and Northern England Munchen : C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 117-125



Photo from finder.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1150)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Deanshanger, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 22.4 mm
Thickness: 6.3 mm
Weight: 2.8 g
Description: An incomplete copper alloy, probable tip from a spear head, of probable Middle Bronze Age dating (1500 BC to 1150 BC).



Around 5% of the spearhead is present, consisting only of the probable tip. It is triangular in shape. Triangular blades extend from either side, with a central rib on both sides.



It measures 22.4 mm in length, 11.4 mm wide (base), 5.3 mm wide (tip) and 6.3 mm thick at the break, and 3.0 mm thick at the tip. It weighs 2.8 g.



The probable spear head is a dark green colour, with an uneven 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: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1150 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Ogbourne St. George, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 49.7 mm
Thickness: 2.81 mm
Weight: 6.52 g
Description: A copper alloy Late Bronze Age awl or chisel dating to the period 1150 - 800 BC. The awl is elongated and has four broadly rectangular facets tapering slightly to both ends. It is almost square in cross section and its widest point is approximately at the centre of it. One of the end has a pointed tip,and probably used to pierce leather and similar materials. The other end is rounded. The awl is covered with a green and white patina. It measures 49.7 mm in length 7.39,mm in width, 2.81 mm in thick and weighs 6.52g.



A similar awl is illustrated in Read B. (2001), p. 94, no. 694.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1550 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Langtoft, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and the Humber)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 33.98 mm
Thickness: 7.35 mm
Weight: 8.54 g
Description: Tip of cast copper-alloy spearhead dating from the Middle or Late Bronze Age, about 1550 – 800 BC]. The spear tip fragment is 33.98mm in length with a width of 14.89mm and a maximum thickness of 7.35mm. The weight of the spear tip is 8.54g. The fragment is lancet shaped and tapers to a point. It has a profile of a circle with a narrow blade protruding centrally from either side, resulting in a ridge running up the centre of the spear head. The edges of the spear tip have sustained damaged and are highly worn and dented. Corrosion of the copper-alloy has resulted in a smooth dark green patina. Not enough of the spearhead has remained to be able to date this fragment to a more precise range, although the circular section, the angle of the blade, and the midrib extending to the to the tip suggest comparisons with spearheads in Davis Groups 6-11.



Similiar object on the database: WMID - 560F7F.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Dagger (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to -2300)
Material: Copper 
Found: Wirksworth, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 114.6 mm
Thickness: 6.7 mm
Weight: 105.65 g
Description: An incomplete copper tanged dagger from the Copper Age/Beaker Period (c. 2500 - c. 2300 BC), missing its point and the end of its tang. The blade is broadly triangular and has a flat, pointed-oval cross-section. There is a ridge along the edge of the blade, where it was hammered to sharpen the edge. At the tang end the blade narrows sharply from 35.6 mm wide to 14.1 mm wide and then the tang projects from there and tapers gradually, measuring 11.4 mm wide at the break. The tang has a rectangular cross-section.



Overall, the dagger measures 114.6 mm long, 35.6 mm wide and 6.7 mm thick. It weighs 105.65 g.



The surface has mid to dark green patina, but the surface is pitted and in some places quite corroded and covered in light green and brown corrosion product.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Mentmore, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 24.6 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight: 5.4 g
Description: A fragment of the tip of a copper alloy socketed spearhead, dating to Middle to Late Bronze Age (1500 BC to 800 BC). The spear head is triangular in shape and lozenge in cross section. The spear head has triangular blades extending from either side, and a central ridge running vertically down both surfaces, tapering to the point. The metal is rough and worn, and one of the blades of the spear head is jagged. The spearhead has a dark green patina.



The spearhead tip is 24.6mm in length, 15.2mm wide, 8mm thick, and weighs 5.4g.



A similar spearhead on the PAS database is SUSS-B42098 which also cite references similar spearheads in Moore, C.N. and Rowlands, M., 1972 Bronze Age Metalwork in Salisbury Museum Salisbury : Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum , Plate XI, 56.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Walney North, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 43 mm
Weight: 84.15 g
Description: A fragment of a cast copper alloy Late Bronze Age socketed axe probably dating to the period c.950 - 750BC. The axe is probably a Faceted Axe, type Gillespie sometimes known as 'baggy axe'. These axes have been discovered in associated with the late Wilburton metalworking traditions (phase XI) and the Ewart Park tradition (phase XII). This corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 6-7 circa 1000-700 CAL. BC.



It is trapezoidal in shape and has a narrowed, triangular profile. The axe fragment consists of the lower portion of the axe that contain the slightly expanded cutting edge and the sides up to an old break just above the socket aperture to where the core of the mould would have ended. The remains of the socket are sub-rectangular in shape. There is no decoration visible on the surface. The axe was discovered on a small intertidal island and is very corroded and stained by salt water with a whitish-brown patina.

The length is 43mm, the width is 50mm and the weight 84.15g.



The length is 43mm, the width is 50mm and the weight 84.15g.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Spearhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1600 to -1400)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Pendleton, Ribble Valley, Lancashire (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 150 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight: 74.56 g
Description: A complete small copper alloy socketed and side-looped spearhead dating from the Early Middle Bronze Age, c. 1600-1400BC. The head is leaf-shaped and the socket has a pronounced midrib. The tip of the spearhead is thicker than the rest of the blade and there are very fine, very clear re-sharpening marks all around the edges of the wings, running parallel to it. The hollow of the socket extends into the spear. It is circular and tapers towards the tip, becoming lozengiform in cross section as it develops into the solid mid-rib between the blades. There are two small, oval, pierced side loops set opposite each other part way along the socket. There are traces of casting lines along the sides of the spearhead running from above the side loops to the base of the blades. Below the side loops, the casting lines appear to have been smoothed away. The spearhead is has a smooth chocolate-brown patina. The length is 150mm, the width is 27mm thickness 17mm and the weight 74.56g.



Side-looped spearheads are Greenwell and Brewis' Class IV and date to 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, c. 1500-1150BC. The spearhead was likely to have been short and similar to Savory (1980) nos. 227 - 230, which Savory argues are of Acton Park metal, although no. 228 gave an analysis suggesting Penard metal. A side-looped spearhead from the Thames at Mortlake (DoB 31) has been radio-carbon dated by Needham et al (1997) producing an early radiocarbon date of 3225+/- 65BP (OxA-5948) 1680-1400BC with a 95% confidence rating.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Casting Waste (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to MEDIEVAL (-2500 to 1485)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Houghton, Test Valley, Hampshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 36.44 mm
Thickness: 11.5 mm
Weight: 21.93 g
Description: 
A possibly Bronze Age, Roman or Medieval piece of copper-alloy casting debris. the fragment comprises a trilobe well and stub of an angled runner.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (1500 to 1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Burneside, South Lakeland, Cumbria (North West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 100.22 mm
Thickness: 19.66 mm
Weight: 166.2 g
Description: A copper alloy Middle Bronze Age unlooped palstave axehead (c.1500-c.1300 BC).



The axe is sub-triangular in plan and sub-rectangular in section, tapering to the blade terminal. The blade is narrow tapering and the axe is narrow and unlooped. The blade is flared and the surface is smooth, bevelled and sharpened. The butt is broken and the patination suggests that it was broken in antiquity. The axe has a well-defined stop-ridge on both sides rising at right angles to the septum. The septum is H-shaped in section and is smooth, unworn and slightly concave. At the end of the septum is a moulded shield-shaped stop-ridge set transversely across the body. The patination is a mid-green with areas of dark grey patination on both faces of the septum. The length is 100.22mm, the width is at the blade is 37.16mm and at the butt is 21.94mm. Its thickness is 6.62mm at the blade, 11.30mm at the butt and 19.66mm at the stop ridge. It weighs 166.2g.



The palstave shares typological features with Group I and Group II palstaves, the primary forms introduced to Britain in the Middle Bronze Age (Schmidt and Burgess 1981). As there are no side loops or midrib, this palstave may be relatively early, probably a Group I (shield-pattern) type from the Acton Park phase of Bronze Age metalwork, c1450-1300BC. It can be distinguished by its shield-shaped decoration below the stop ridge (p.119).



Schmidt and Burgess tell us that the term 'palstave' is misleading, as it comes from the Icelandic 'Paalstab' meaning a digging tool, not a type of axe. The term is used in British archaeology to describe an axe where there is a stop and the flanges disappear into the stop. Palstaves are also thicker below the stop. They are usually decorated on the blade and, as time went on, developed loops. Group I palstaves have a shield-like decoration below the stop ridge and variable flanges.



The concentration of palstaves in the North West of England is explained by the proximity to the Acton Park province, the major production area in north Wales and the Marches.



Similar objects can be found on the database at LVPL-3EFEA7 and LVPL-84EBD1.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-950 to -750)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 84.9 mm
Thickness: 22.5 mm
Weight: 167.5 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy Late Bronze Age socketed axe dating from c. 10th-9th century BC. Probably a ribbed South Eastern variant. The axehead is complete and has suffered little damage, however some of the surface bronze has been lost from the blade edge. The blade edge is crescentic with both outer tips complete - there appears to have been little if any use of the blade. The axehead's socket is rectangular at the mouth and tapers through the length of the socket. Casting seams are prominent within the socket but are not visible externally. The socket has a rasied lip which slopes sharply and evenly to the main section of the axe. Externally there are three rasied ribs from the back of the socket towards the middle of the main body - the centre of the these ribs corresponds with the internal casting seam. There is a single side loop on one edge of the axehead.



The axe head measures 84.9mm long, 43mm wide (blade) and the internal socket width is 22.5mm. The axehead weighs 167.5 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Awl (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-900 to 43)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Amesbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire (South West)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 46.59 mm
Thickness: 5.17 mm
Weight: 4.62 g
Description: 
An incomplete Bronze Age to Iron Age copper-alloy awl which is square-sectioned in the centre and circular in section on the surviving terminal.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Unidentified Object (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-2500 to 1900)
Material: Gold 
Found: Haversham-cum-Little Linford, Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 49.3 mm
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Weight: 5.06 g
Description: A complete gold sheet strip, dating from the Bronze Age to modern period. The strip would have originally been rectangular in shape, but has been bent and folded over in four different places. Near one of the folds is a slight tear along the edge. At either end of the strip is a circular pierced hole. The corners at each end of the strip are rounded, and the strip narrows slightly. On one side the object is decorated with ten raised ribs running the length of the object, there may have been more but one edge is worn. On the other side of the strip there is no decoration. The object is a bright yellow gold colour.



The object measures 49.3 mm in length, 12.5mm in width, 0.5mm in thickness, and weighs 5.06g.
Notes: As the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.



Coroner inquest: 05/05/2019



Acquired by BCM: 04.12.2019
Subsequent action: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Object: Socketed Axehead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1000 to -800)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Stanton St. John, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 78.8 mm
Thickness: 24.7 mm
Weight: 118.2 g
Description: A complete cast copper alloy socketed axe head of the south-eastern type (plain A1) of Late Bronze Age date (1000-800 BC). The axe head has the standard double socket moulding although this is quite slight and / or worn in many places. Otherwise the axehead is plain externally. There is a single loop on one side of the axehead and the blade is wide and crescentic with some damage to the cutting edge. The casting seam is visible down both sides externally but is not visible within. The mouth of the socket is rectangular / square. The socket tapers down to where the crescentic edge of the blade begins. This axehead has suffered little damage and is in very good condition with a dull brown patina.



The axehead measures 78.8mm length, the blade is 46.7mm wide and the socket is 24.7mm wide internally. The axehead weighs 118.2 grams.
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Arrowhead (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to IRON AGE (-1500 to -50)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Wicken, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (East Midlands)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 27.53 mm
Thickness: 0.97 mm
Weight: 2.2 g
Description: A cast copper alloy, socketed arrowhead possibly Late Bronze Age date, or later c. 1500 – 50 BC. The conoid socketed blade is bilobate with a pronounced lozenge form medial rib, and barbes. Now in poor condition with damage to the socket and an eroded surface. Length = 27.53mm, width = 8.76mm, weight = 2.2gm. It is conceivable that this arrowhead is of a later date, stylistically, it has a Late Bronze Age look.
Notes: Bucks PAS Record Sheet No 67
Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1450 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Baconsthorpe, North Norfolk, Norfolk (Eastern)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 150 mm
Description: A complete copper alloy Middle Bronze Age unlooped palstave axehead (c.1500-c.1300 BC).



When viewed from the side the axe has a slender body of rectangular form, which then flares into the blade. In plan the axe is a slender pointed-oval. The butt is H-shaped in section and terminates towards the centre of the axe with a well-defined, rounded stop-ridge on both sides rising at right angles to the septum.



Beyond the septum is a moulded shield-shaped stop-ridge set transversely across the body. The blade is flared and the surface is smooth, bevelled and sharpened.



The palstave shares typological features with Group I and Group II palstaves. These were the primary forms introduced to Britain in the Middle Bronze Age (Schmidt and Burgess 1981). This particular axehead is probably a Group I (shield-pattern) type from the Acton Park or early Taunton phase of Bronze Age metalwork (circa 1450-1300 BC), distinguished by its shield-shaped decoration below the stop ridge (ibid.p.119). 



Schmidt, P. K. and Burgess, C. B., 1981. The axes of Scotland and Northern England Munchen : C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 117-125
Notes: 
This axe was found at a rally. The find has been recorded using photos supplied by the finder.

Subsequent action: Returned to finder
Object: Palstave (Bronze Age)
Period: Bronze Age to BRONZE AGE (-1500 to -1300)
Material: Copper alloy 
Found: Lewknor, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (South East)
Discovery method: Metal detector
Length: 160.2 mm
Height: 50.66 mm
Weight: 536 g
Description: A cast copper alloy slender looped Middle Bronze Age palstave, probably dating from c. 1500- 1300 BC. The cutting edge has a pronounced crescentic form with the tips re-curving back onto the expanding form of the blade body. The body has a well-defined stop ridge just short of midway down its length and the flanges extend and taper, down to the blade section. There are clear casting lines down each side of the axe, there are no other design elements to be seen.  There is a loop to one side at the juncture between blade and septum.  The palstave has an incomplete well-developed shiny blue-green coloured patina.



The palstave measures 160.0mm long from the blade cutting edge to the butt, 50.6mm wide from blade tip to blade tip, and 36.6mm thick across the stops. It weighs 370g.
Notes: The palstave is similar to Figure 22, No. 166 in Savoury (1980). The palstave is an early/primary Group III example which dates to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to c. 1500-1300 BC.



Savory, H.N. 1980 Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections National Museum of Wales: Cardiff
Subsequent action: Returned to finder