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Axehead
Unique ID: LON-B60A98
Object type certainty: Certain
A Middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave axe (1500 – 1400BC). From the flat butt of this palstave there is an expanded flange on each side that extend 70mm down the length towards the cutting edge. In between the two flanges is a flat groove ‘septum’ with a stop ridge across the width where the ends of the prongs of the wooden handle would rest to haft the palstave to the handle. The stop ridge prevents the butt of the palstave from splitting the handle. Just below the stop ridge at the top of the blade is a semi-circular ridge with central double ribs forming a ‘shield-pattern’. The blade then expands to the curved cutting edge which is bevelled for sharpness. The copper alloy has a rough mid-pale green patina; there is some surface and edge damage.
This palstave is very similar to examples from the “Acton Park” axe-industry that emerged at the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age in north Wales (Savory 1980:45-6).
Dimensions: length: 165.68mm; width of cutting edge: 64.01mm; thickness: 27.25mm; weight: 400.36g.
Reference: Savory, H. N. 1980. Guide Catalogue of Bronze Age Collections. National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. CSP Printing of Cardiff.
Class: Palstave
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: 1500 BC
Date to: 1400 BC
Dimensions and weight
Length: 165.68 mm
Width: 64.01 mm
Thickness: 27.25 mm
Weight: 400.36 g
Quantity: 1
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Manufacture method: Cast [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Completeness: Complete [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Spatial data
Region: East
County: Hertfordshire
District: East Hertfordshire
Parish: Buntingford
Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: TL3429
The map has been degraded and provides an approximate location with a degree of random obfuscation.
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
Method of discovery: Metal detector
[scope notes]
General landuse: Cultivated land [scope notes]
Specific landuse: Operations to a depth greater than 0.25m [scope notes]
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st August 2008
Personal details
Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Mrs Kate Sumnall
- [
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Identified by: Mrs Kate Sumnall - [view all attributed records]
Other reference numbers
References cited
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Audit data
Created:
Monday 12th January 2009
Updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
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