Raking light allows the viewer to see hammering scars that are not evident in standard lighting conditions.
English: Incomplete developed flat axe with cast (?) flanges of later Early Bronze Age date (c. 2000 – 1700 BC). Although incomplete the classification of the axe matches the descriptions and illustrations of the axe type Arreton which is dated to Early Bronze Age III, of metalworking stage V, which corresponds to Needham’s (1996) Period 3 circa 2000 – 1700 BC. The axehead is broadly sub rectangular in plan with a splayed crescent shaped blade. In profile it is broadly lentoid, with slight tapering edges. There is a large horizontal break toward the butt of the axehead and approximately 2/3rds of the axe survives. The overall length is 79.1mm and the axe weighs 127.63 grams. The butt and upper part of the axe is missing. The septum expands (slightly) from the break toward the median bevel. The median bevel is slightly curved and raised; the ridge is not especially prominent. Below the bevel the sides continue to expand. The width at the median ride is 23.4mm (septum width 17.2mm) and the width is 24.9mm (septum width 20.8mm) before the sides expand to form the blade. The edges / sides of the axe are bowed (D shaped) with convex edges. These edges are slightly faceted, with a series of hammer scars along their edge. The faceting is very slight and the scars are only evident under a raking light. They do not seem to form a recognisable form of decoration (for example cable or herringbone types of decoration). The flanges are lozenge-shaped and are longer / higher toward the rear. The flanges seem to have been cast, however there are a series of hammer scars present. In profile they are D shape and project a maximum of 3mm above the septum. They are highest at a point just behind (4mm) the median ridge. The area between the median ridge and junction with the blade has been decorated by at least three bands formed from hammering. Again this is best observed under a raking light. These bands seem to mirror the shape of the median ridge and terminate at the junction with the blade. Here a further crescent shaped ridge is present. At this junction the blade sides expand to produce a crescentic blade edge with a width of 51.4mm. The tips of the crescent shaped blade have been lost through abrasion. A distinct blade facet is not present. There are a series of striations (incised lines / file marks) running across the width of the axe. These may have been intended as crude decoration, or they may be a result of sharpening the cutting edge. The axe is a mid brown colour with a highly polished patina. Areas of this patina have been removed, probably as a direct result of movement in the plough soil. This abrasion is most evident of the blade of the axe. The butt of the axe has been lost. The break is relatively recent and unworn. There is no evidence of a patina present on it. On one face of the axe is a large amount of mid orange corrosion product. This is most likely to be a result of soil conditions in the burial environment. The axehead is best described as coming from the Arreton type of long-flanged developed flat axes; however, it does bear a number of similar characteristics to the Brandon type. On reflection the distinguishing point between the two is the height of the flanges and style of decoration. This example, therefore, seems to fit best with the Arreton type (cf Burgess and Schmidt: Axes of Northern Britain pp65 – 75). Burgess and Schmidt suggest from their study that the distribution of this Arreton type concentrates in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Their work though looks directly at the axes of Scotland and Northern England. Savory