|
Date: |
|
Description: | TREASURE CASE : 2013 T11Addenda to 2011 T768.Descriptive catalogue1. Fragment from the blade of a cast, copper alloy socketed axe. Blade splays out towards a crescentic cutting edge with relatively hooked, asymmetrical blade tips. Casting seams are visible on either side and there are two seams within the socket tip. The metal is relatively well preserved, with greenish patina and possible evidence of use wear. The form of the blade is similar to a large array of socketed axe types (cf. Schmidt & Burgess 1981) and no greater typological resolution can be achieved. Dimensions: Length of blade: 47mm; Width (of surviving fragment): 27mm (max.); Weight: 38.8g2. Fragment from a cast, copper alloy sword. Fragment from the hilt: grip and terminal. There are two perforations for rivets, the break passes through the upper hole, only half of which survives. A third hole has been drilled approximately midway between the two perforations (off-centre of a line between them) but does not penetrate all the way through the hilt. The sides of the grip are concave in plan before coming in to a 'T'-shaped terminal, both of which are common features of Late Bronze Age swords (e.g. of Type Ewart Park: Colquhoun & Burgess 1988). The base of the terminal is irregular through damage or miscasting. The hilt is flat and does not show the flanged edges (associated with attachment of organic hilt material) which are a feature of some sword hilts from this period. The bend to the fragment is particularly pronounced near the break and is probably related to the break through the perforation (the weakest point).Dimensions: Length (fragment): 63mm (max); Width of grip at break: 2mm (max. grip width); Thickness of the grip: 4.5mm; Width at terminal: 33mm; Diameter of rivet holes (penetrating): 4mm; Diameter of rivet hole (non-penetrating): 2mm; Weight: 36.1g3. Fragment from a cast, copper alloy blade. Probably sword fragment with badly damaged edges and areas of patina that have peeled away. The blade has been hammered flat on both sides, creating a faceted profile.Dimensions: Length: 114mm; Width: 34.5mm (max.) - 28mm (min.); Thickness: 7mm (max.); Weight: 124.7g4. Fragment from a cast, copper alloy blade. Probably sword fragment with badly damaged edges. The brown surface patina is relatively well preserved in places, with patches of green corrosion in other areas. The blade has been hammered flat on both sides, creating a faceted profile.Dimensions: Length: 72mm (max.); Width: 27mm (max.) - 23.5mm (min.); Thickness: 8mm; Weight: 59g5. Fragment from a cast, copper alloy blade. Relatively well preserved gold/brown patina with green corrosion in places. From a sword, knife or related blade type.Dimensions: Length: 22.5mm; Width: 28mm; Thickness: 5mm; Weight: 16.4g6. Fragment from a cast, copper alloy blade. Probably sword fragment with badly damaged edges and areas of patina that have peeled away. The blade is similar to fragment No. 3 in colour and preservation and has also been hammered flat on both sides, creating a faceted profile.Dimensions: Length: 31mm; Width: 22mm; Thickness: 5mm; Weight: 15gDiscussion This find represents an addendum to 2011 T768. The objects from both finds are consistent with the composition of Late Bronze Age hoards from Northern England, containing fragments of swords/blades and socketed axes. The present case adds little to the chronological resolution of the hoard but the Late Bronze Age socketed axe fragment (No. 1) and Late Bronze Age sword terminal fragment (No. 2) does not contradict the Ewart Park metalwork phase date (i.e. 1000-800 BC: Colquhoun & Burgess 1988) suggested for 2011 T768. No refitting fragments were identified in this case but it may be possible to identify refits with the objects that make up 2011 T768.ConclusionBy virtue of being an addendum to a hoard previously declared Treasure and consisting of more than two objects of prehistoric base metal, these objects qualify as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 (Designation Order 2002). ReferencesColquhoun, I and Burgess, C. The swords of Britain. Munich: Beck, Prähistorische Bronzefunde IV/5.Schmidt, P and Burgess, C. 1981. The Axes of Scotland and Northern England. Munich: Beck, Prähistorische Bronzefunde IX/7.Neil WilkinCurator, Bronze Age Collection, The British Museum 28.8.13
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
HOARD
TREASURE CASE : 2011 T768.Catalogue(Part…
-
HOARD
TREASURE CASE : 2013 T583.Circumstances:…
-
HOARD
A Late Bronze Age metalworking…
-
HOARD
Specialist Treasure Report for H.M.…
-
HOARD
Note: This catalogue was completed…
-
HOARD
1. Copper alloy socketed axe…
-
HOARD
Late Bronze Age hoard consisting…
-
HOARD
A Late Bronze Age carp's…
-
HOARD
Cast copper alloy metalworker's hoard…
-
HOARD
Objects found by M. Dover…
|