|
Date: |
|
Description: | An incomplete copper alloy probable chisel of probably the Bronze Age period, probably dating from c. BC 1600 - c. BC 1100. The object is trapezoidal in plan and broadly rectangular in section. Only the blade end of the object survives, and the cutting edge is 29.2 mm wide and the sides then taper to 25.9 mm wide at the break, where it is 10.5 mm thick and a rounded rectangle in cross-section. No evidence of the side flanges or stop ridge survive making the object hard to classify and date confidently. The break appears clean and straight, which could suggest it was deliberately done rather than as a result of post depositional damage. The patination of the break matches with the rest of the object suggesting that the object was broken in antiquity.The chisel measures 23.7 mm in length and is 29.2 mm wide. It has a thickness of 10.8 mm and weighs 29.1 g. The object is a light to mid green in colour with an uneven surface patina. There are traces of a red substance at the cutting edge of the object on both sides, this could be iron corrosion from the soil, it is difficult to be sure. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. Other similar examples of this type of object have been recorded on the database including WAW-D02B82 and LANCUM-45A036.There is a possibility that the item is of a later date. Another possible function is a vessel leg, but this is not a convincing identification based on the shape, surface condition and section.Taken from WAW-D02B82: The artefact is very similar to SWYOR-2DED2C on this database. The narrowness of the blade and thickness at the break are perhaps more similar to chisels such as NMS-894E92, SF2649 and SOMDOR-7B3C43 on this database, but it have the horizontal sides of the more common chisel form, as seen on SF-09D1D5 and SUSS-D93644 on this database. However, small, narrow-bladed palstaves belonging to the Taunton phase (1400-1300 BC) of metalworking or possibly to the slightly earlier Acton Park II period, (c.1500-1400 BC); (both corresponding with Needham's period 5, 1500 - 1150 CAL BC) are also similar, especially in the rapid thickening from blade to break. It was perhaps similar to SOM-1DE687, HAMP-996311. Further arguments on either side are given in SOM-2B70A5, dating from the Middle Bronze Age, about 1600 - 1100 BC.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
CHISEL
Possible Bronze Age (c.1600 to…
-
CHISEL
An incomplete copper-alloy probable chisel…
-
CHISEL
An almost complete Late Bronze…
-
BEAD
Late Iron Age to Roman…
-
KNIFE
A complete post-Medieval cast copper-alloy…
-
SWORD
A complete copper alloy sword…
-
BEAD
Late Iron Age to Roman…
-
BUCKLE
Post-medieval copper alloy asymmetrical double-looped…
-
BROOCH
An incomplete copper-alloy annular brooch…
-
|