Record ID: NMGW-889B08 - BRONZE AGE chisel

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Chisel

Unique ID: NMGW-889B08

Object type certainty: Probably

Bronze object of uncertain function and date, probably a simple tanged chisel of Middle Bronze Age date, c.1,500 – 1,000BC The chisel is comparatively small, with a distorted length of 50.83mm (c. 54mm undistorted). The artefact is thickest at its middle (at 3.18mm) and thins to the blade and tang end. The sides are divergent and straight along the tang and gently curved along the blade. The blade edge has a width of 16.84mm and is also gently curved. Little of the original surface survives, which appears to have had a black patination. The current surface is mid-green to brown. The chisel weighs 6.2g. Non-destructive analysis to ascertain the elemental composition of the chisel was carried out by Mary Davis using a CamScan MaXim 2040 analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM), plus an Oxford Instruments Link Isis energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). The object was examined whole within the specimen chamber and analysed for 100 live seconds using a working distance of 35mm and an accelerating voltage of 20kV. A scrape along one edge of the object allowed analysis of the metal in this area. Unfortunately the electron beam was too unsteady to obtain reliable semi-quantitative results, but a series of readings showed that the object was of tin bronze; neither zinc nor lead were present in detectable quantities. The suggested composition would be broadly consistent with Middle Bronze Age metal composition, perhaps Taunton or Cammaes metalworking.

Notes:

This chisel has proved difficult to closely parallel, although the form and style seem consistent with Bronze Age types. The Sparkford Hill Hoard, Somerset (Smith Ed., 1959, Inventaria Archaeologia; An Illustrated Card-Inventory of Important Associated Finds in Archaeology; Great Britain 7th Set: GB. 42-47) contained a larger chisel of similar form and dated to the end of the Middle Bronze Age. A similar chisel found at Monkton, Pembrokeshire (Savory 1980, pp. 117, No 265) was dated through associated artefacts to the 11th or 10th century BC. Both of these parallels have a less flared blade compared to this example.

Class: tanged

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Period from: BRONZE AGE [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Period to: BRONZE AGE [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1000

Dimensions and weight

Length: 54 mm
Width: 16.84 mm
Thickness: 3.18 mm
Weight: 6.2 g
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Completeness: Uncertain [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Region: Wales
County: Vale Of Glamorgan
District: Vale Of Glamorgan
Parish: Penllyn

Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: SS9675
The map has been degraded and provides an approximate location with a degree of random obfuscation.
Grid reference source:
Grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]
General landuse: Cultivated land [scope notes]

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Mr Mark Lodwick - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Mr Mark Lodwick - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

Other reference: NMGWPA 2006.2

References cited

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