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Description: | A cast copper alloy (bronze) undecorated developed flat axe of Early Bronze Age date (c. 2050 - 1700 BC). This example is relatively small and uncommon within the metalworking tradition of the earlier Bronze Age. The style of this axe fits into the developed flat axes although it does not fit readily into a named sub-type due to the nature and shape of the axe. It should also be noted that this example could also be described as a tanged chisel; however the elements present correspond better to being an irregular axe. It is likely that this example is dated to the Early Bronze Age (EBA phase II-III), of metalworking tradition phase IV-V, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2050 - 1700 CAL. BC. If the artefact were a tanged chisel then it is possible that it may expand the data range slightly further into the Middle Bronze Age possibly c. 2050-1400 BC.The flat axe is irregular in plan being broadly sub-rectangular with an expanded triangular shaped blade. In profile the axe is broadly lentoid, with slight tapering edges. In cross section the axe is broadly rectangular with no evidence of raised edges. The butt is complete but heavily abraded with an even flattened end with rounded corners. The sides of the axe are broadly parallel from the butt to the median bevel / stop ridge; after this point they expand evenly toward the cutting edge / blade. The median bevel is distinct and is well developed; it is at this point that the axehead is thickest (5.9mm). There is no evidence for the long edges being raised to form flanges ; instead they seem to be slightly faceted / rounded. Beneath the median bevel the blade expands evenly to the cutting edge; this edge is broadly crescentic in shape, although abraded. The abrasion has removed the patina and evidence of the blade facet, which seems to echo that of the extant blade edge. The width of the blade at this point is 28.9mmThe overall length of the axehead is 91.8mm and it weighs 40.41 grams.The axe is a mid brown colour with an abraded corroded patina. The majority of damage caused is a result of corrosion and abrasion which has affected both the blade and butt. There are also some large areas of patina lost on the body of the axe. However, the patina seems relatively stable and there is no evidence of active corrosion. Although the axe is corroded there is no evidence of there being any form of applied incised or punched decoration. A direct parallel for this example has not been found; it has some similarities with a number of published examples but differs from most due to the profile and shape of the blade, the presence of a stop ridge and the lack of raised flanges. The size of this axe is also noteworthy in that it is exceptionally small and slender. A similar sized developed axehead has been recorded from the Ellesmere Area, Shropshire (PAS number: HESH-298FF4).
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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AXEHEAD
Early Bronze Age bronze Developed…
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