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Description: | An incomplete cast bronze blade or dirk (sometimes also known as a small rapier), of Late Early Bronze Age or Early Middle Bronze Age date (1500-1400 CAL BC). The fragment consists of the near complete blade, minus cutting edges, and the majority of the trapezoidal tang also survives. The blade has been much abraded in the soil and therefore is relatively irregular in shape and profile. In plan the blade is broadly sub-triangular, expanding from a relatively wide base junction with tang, to a relatively narrow irregular point. In profile the fragment is also sub-triangular with the thickness varying along the length of the blade. In cross-section the blade is lentoid, with a much rounded (humped) central ridge / mid-rib which tapers to the external edges / blade bevel, cutting edge of the blade. The dirk measures 238mm in length, 47mm maximum width, and 8.9mm maximum thickness. It weighs 167.38 grams. The tang (point where the handle would have been fitted) of the blade is an irregular trapezoidal shape. It tapers in thickness from the shoulder of the blade (below the central midrib) which is 6.5mm thick, to a point at the base which is 0.9mm thick. Some metal has been lost from the edges of the tang, which is extremely thin, and this has resulted in the loss of the majority of the rivet holes which would have secured the handle. It is likely that there were a series of these around the edge of the tang, fragmentary remains of two survive on the right hand edge; each is incomplete and only shows as a partially rounded edge. The more complete example has a diameter of c.5.3mm. The shoulder of the blade is relatively indistinct, and only suggested by the wideness of the blade at this point - which measures 47mm. The central mid-rib terminates just above this point in a rounded wedge. This is the widest point of the rib which tapers in width along the length of the blade to a point below the tip (which is now lost). The thickness of the mid rib varies along the length of the blade, being thickest at a point approximately 1/3 along the length and tapering either side. The edges of the blade have mostly been lost, probably though a combination of abrasion and corrosion. None of the blade facets are present and the pointed tip of the dirk has also been lost. Looking at the surviving edges of the blade it seems that the blade edges have been deliberately damaged by striking the dirk against either another blade or something with a relatively hard but relatively narrow edge. This striking has caused elements of the side blade to be folded back upon itself. The pattern of this damage would not fit with abrasion and movement in the soil.The rapier fragment is a mid-dark green colour with an even polished patina, which has been lost in places. As already mentioned the fragment has been damaged by abrasion in the plough soil. This is most evident in the chipping of the patina around the blade edges. This has resulted in small patches of light green powdery corrosion attacking the damaged areas. There are also a number of corrosion pocks across the centre of the fragment. There are also a number of longitudinal patinated marks which resemble 'rain pattern' decoration on both faces of the dirk. These are most evident on the surviving blade facets but also occur on the mid-rib. If these are decorative marks this would make this dirk relatively rare as this form of decoration is hardly ever seen. It is possible that these marks might represent further damage prior to deposition but as they are patinated it is highly unlikely that they were made post deposition.Similar dirk or rapier fragments have been dated to the later Early and early Middle Bronze Age. This example is most likely to fit within the Acton Park metalworking tradition (Acton Park Phase I or possibly II) which has been dated to 1500-1400 BC by Sabine (PBF volume) This corresponds with Needham's Period 4
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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