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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy developed flat axe of dating from the Early to Middle Bronze Age. The axe is a narrow butted flat axe with a median bevel / proto stop ridge 52.70mm from the butt end. It has straight sides, a rounded butt and a flared cutting edge with concave shoulders. The cutting edge is crescentric in plan and measures 1.68mm thick. The point before the prepared cutting edge measures 9.86mm thick. The butt is 17.68mm wide and 1.29mm thick, and the width at the median bevel / proto stop ridge is 26.96mm. The tips of the crescent shaped blade have been damaged through either abrasion or wear, as has the blade edge itself.The majority of the patina has broken away leaving just two small patches on each face. One patch of smooth dark brown patina shows up the median bevel / proto stop ridge while another patch of the patina on the opposite face is just above the cutting edge. The remaining surface of the object is brownish green with patches of bright green corrosion.The object can be classified as a developed flat axe most probably an undecorated type Bandon (corresponding to Type Derryniggin in Ireland). These are dated to the Early Bronze Age (EBA phase II / III), of metalworking stage IV-V (more likely V), which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 circa 2000 - 1700 CAL. BC. The flat axe probably dates from c.1850-1750 BC.Similar examples have been found at Margam, Port Talbot (Savory 1980, No. 122) and Breach Farm, Vale of Glamorgan (Savory 1980, No. 338) associated with a cremation burial recently radiocarbon dated to c. 1750 - 1600 BC. A similar example which can be found on the database is NMGW-FDBB88.
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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