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Description: | A copper-alloy votive axe of Roman date. A very similar example to this piece was found in excavations at Baldock, Hertfordshire, in a deposit dating from the late 2nd to early 3rd century AD; a further similar example was also found in a 3rd century ditch fill (I.M. Stead and V. Rigby; 1986; pp. 138; nos. 378 and 379). Such miniature objects are often found in association with temple sites.The axe has a long slender blade, which tapers in thickness from back to front and has sides which curve downwards slightly towards the "cutting edge". The majority of the shaft is of circular section, although it changes to square section just below the point where it meets the blade. The top of the shaft is portrayed as projecting slightly from the top of the blade and a pair of cross-hatched lines on the blade hints at a leather binding strap. On the reverse, three horizontal incisions mark the base of the shaft.The piece measures 35.9mm high, 28mm wide and 4.3mm thick. The weight is 8.68g.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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