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Description: | An almost complete cast copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date (1000 - 800 BC). The object can be classified as the Ewart Park phase of metalwork.The object is sub-rectangular in plan with the cutting edge expanding outwards to form a convex cutting edge. The cutting edge is damaged and worn which occurred both in recent and ancient times. The cutting edge measures 53.47mm in width and is 3.29mm thick.The socket has a sub square mouth (internal width 25.47mm, internal length 33.06mm, external width 37.09mm, external length 44.26mm and the wall of the mouth is 5-6mm thick). The socket is 66.24mm deep and the insides are smooth.A moulded collar decorates the axe 15.95mm below the mouth on each face. Extending down from this are three raised ribs measuring 39.75mm in length. The ribs have been abraded and damaged in recent times. The front and back faces of the axe are very slightly faceted at the socket end.Along the centre of each side of the axe is a pronounced casting seam. The seams have not been filed down. One side of the axe has a large semi-circular moulded side loop. The loop measures 6.80mm in width and 29.68mm in length. It is oval in cross-section. The casting seam on the outer face of the loop has been filed down.The object has a mid to dark green patina which has chipped away around the cutting edge and in two places around the socket mouth in recent times. On one face of the object are deep cuts running at a diagonal to the object. These occurred in recent times probably due to the axe being struck with the plough. The object is pitted and corroded in places and has been covered in a wax by the finder.The object can be classified as the Ewart park phase of metal work which corresponds with metalworking phases X - XII, or Needham Periods 6-7, dating from about 1150-750 CAL BC. This axe is likely to date from about 1000 - 800 BC.
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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