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Description: | Copper alloyPalstave Axe. Cast straight-sided axe with an elongated blade expanded to lunate form at its cutting edge. A low medial longitudinal ridge runs along both sides of the blade. The butt is flanged on both sides, with triangular flanges rising from the blade and sides, enclosing a flat septum without discernible stop, and tapering towards the back of the butt, which is also tapered. A loop of length 26.6mm and height 12mm projects from one side of the axe, springing from the back part of the blade and the adjacent part of the butt; this defines an aperture of length 7mm fringed with casting flash. The axe is lightly corroded, with a prominent nick in the middle of its cutting edge. However, sound brown metal appears in two patches on one side of the blade towards its edge. A small nick on one flange is of crescentic form and displays pale bright corrosion. The butt is now angled; it is uncertain whether this is an original feature, or whether it may arise from damage or wear. Suggested date: Early to Middle Bronze Age, 1300-1500 BC.Length: 162mm, Width (at cutting edge) 48.4mm, Thickness (at junction of blade and butt): 34.2mm, Weight: 460gms.One of two axes found in the same vicinity and therefore considered to be parts of the same original deposit, and therefore to qualify as Treasure; both objects are deemed parts of Treasure Reference Number 2011 T557.The following discussion was kindly submitted by Ben Roberts and Katherine McBride:The two Type Silsden side-looped palstaves can be dated to the Penard (c. 1300-1150 BC) metalwork phase of the Middle Bronze Age (Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 161). They are classified within the broader 'Late Palstave' type but are typologically close to 'Transitional Palstaves' such as Type Shelf (see Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 158-160). The palstaves are not obviously unfinished as observed in other Type Silsden finds but corrosion makes this identification difficult. Type Silsden side-looped palstaves are commonly found in the northern Britain and are especially widespread in Yorkshire. The closest comparable hoard is the Silsden hoard, Yorkshire which also contained two palstaves - although from the same mould which is hard to identify in this discovery (see Schmidt and Burgess 1981, 616, no. 923-4).ReferenceSchmidt, P. K, Burgess, C. B. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. Prähistoriche Bronzefunde IX, 7. Munich: Beck.
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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