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BARBED AND TANGED ARROWHEAD
Unique ID: NARC-F9B223
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An apparently complete cast copper alloy barbed and tanged arrowhead, of Early Bronze Age date (2150 - 1500 BC).
The arrow has a deep brown patina typical of bronze artefacts of this date. It was manufactured using a relatively simple casting technique. It is very worn and chipped around the edges. However, a raised midrib and bevelled edges are apparent. The body of the blades are slightly concave. The tang is sub-rectangular , tapering slightly towards the end, which could be a break rather than a deliberate end. It has relatively crude notches between the tang and barbs. The chipping and wearing on the edges and body indicate use wear rather than post-depositional damage, and so suggest a long period of use for this object. The style of the arrowhead copies flint barbed and tanged arrowheads of the period. Copper alloy arrowheads of this style and dates are rare in Britain. Other examples recorded on the PAS database can be found at SF-4014B0, WMID-CE6A76 and SF6680. All other examples are stray detector finds and consequently the accurate dating of the objects is problematic. However, Dr. Colin Pendleton (SCCAS) notes that there is no reason to doubt that these are contemporary with Early Bronze Age flint examples of similar form.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: 2150 BC
Date to: 1500 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 43 mm
Width: 22 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 7.72 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Uncertain
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Northamptonshire (County)
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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