Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: All Rights Reserved
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
HOARD
Unique ID: KENT-7DA0B5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A single element of the UWTS archaeological fieldwork (WA 54746) remains to be undertaken. An assessment of the results of the scheme-wide project is in progress, to be followed by full publication, probably in a Wessex Archaeology monograph.
Metalwork
Two discrete hoards of Late Bronze Age metalwork were recovered (from Trenches 6 and 7 respectively) during archaeological evaluation in June 2004. Further elements of one of these hoards (Hoard 1) were found during subsequent excavation in June 2005; it is almost certain that all elements of this hoard have been recovered. The findspot of the other hoard (Hoard 2) lay outside the area investigated in 2005, and it is very likely that other elements remain unexcavated. Summary details of the two hoards are presented in Appendix 1.
Hoard 1 is the smaller of the two groups, and was located during machining. Only one object - a socketed axe - was found in situ, within a thin layer or lens of dark soil (620) towards the base of the subsoil (602) in Trench 6. Three further objects (two socketed axes and a small lead object) were recovered from the associated spoil, and two objects (copper alloy 'anvil' and a small perforated lead object) from the general area of the hoard. A fragment of copper alloy from the subsoil, probably a waste piece bled from an ingot, may also be associated.
The subsequent excavation produced seven further items derived from this hoard (five ingot fragments, one spearhead fragment and a possible axe fragment).
Hoard 2 derived from the interface of the subsoil (702) and a shallow, 'midden deposit' (705) in Trench 7, and contained 18 objects (three complete socketed axes and fragments of two others, a chisel, a gouge, two joining fragments of a socketed spearhead, and nine ingots or ingot fragments).
Description:
Hoard A. Only one object, a socketed axe (1) was found in situ; three further objects (2-4) came from the associated spoil, and two objects (5-6) from the general area. A fragment of copper alloy from the subsoil, probably a waste piece bled from an ingot (7), may also be associated. Subsequent excavation produced seven further items derived from this hoard (nos. 8 - 14).
1. Socketed axe; length: 88 mm; width: 37 mm; depth: 32 mm; weight: 146g.
2. Socketed axe; length: 106 mm; width: 43 mm; depth: 40 mm; weight: 279g.
3. Socketed axe; length: 88 mm; width: 38 mm; depth: 33 mm; weight: 157g.
4. Lead object; length: 30 mm; width: 18 mm; depth: 19 mm; weight: 25g.
5. Copper alloy 'anvil'; length: 26 mm; width: 16 mm; depth: 12 mm; weight: 10g.
6. Perforated lead object; length: 19 mm; width: 17 mm; weight: 4g.
7. Possible ingot fragment; weight: 10g.
8. Ingot fragment; weight: 1165g.
9. Ingot fragment; weight: 675g.
10. Sword fragment; length: 57 mm; width: 36 mm; weight: 60g.
11. Ingot fragment; weight: 12g.
12. Ingot fragment; weight: 3g.
13. Ingot fragment; weight: 20g.
14. Possible axe fragment; length: 36 mm; width: 34 mm; weight: 34g.
Hoard B. it derived from the interface of the subsoil and a shallow, 'midden deposit'.
1. Ingot fragment; weight: 313g.
2. Socketed chisel; length: 85 mm; width: 11 mm; depth: 9 mm; weight: 37g.
3. Socketed axe; length: 101 mm; width: 50 mm; depth: 31 mm; weight: 152g.
4. Socketed gouge; length: 93 mm; width: 22 mm; depth: 21 mm; weight: 67g.
5. Spearhead fragment; length: 40 mm; width: 39 mm; weight: 30g.
6. Spearhead fragment; length: 23 mm; width: 26 mm; weight: 11g.
7. Ingot fragment; weight: 23g.
8. Socketed axe; length: 116 mm; width: 56 mm; depth: 41 mm; weight: 365g.
9. Ingot fragment; weight: 50g.
10. Socketed axe fragment; length: 56 mm; width: 28 mm; weight: 30g.
11. Socketed axe; length: 113 mm; width: 49 mm; weight: 374g.
12. Ingot fragment; weight: 320g.
13. Ingot fragment; weight: 147g.
14. Socketed axe fragment; length: 33 mm; width: 26 mm; weight: 20g.
15. Ingot fragment; weight: 45g.
16. Ingot fragment; weight: 206g.
17. Ingot fragment; weight: 12g.
18. Ingot fragment; weight: 13g.
Notes:
These two hoards can be added to the significant concentration of Late Bronze Age 'Carp's Tongue' metalwork hoards already recorded around the Isle of Thanet, and brings to a total of five the number of hoards recorded at Ebbsfleet itself (Lawson 1995). A date range late in the Late Bronze Age, probably around the 8th century BC, is indicated by the poor quality casting, and the presence of more massive axes - the two hoards are indistinguishable in terms of date.
The range of objects is well paralleled within south-east England (and indeed from the other side of the Channel), although some objects (notably the small 'anvil', and the chisel) are less common. Many of the Thanet hoards contain ingots and provide evidence for an efficient industry producing quantities of weapons and tools, but also recycling scrap metal, probably from both sides of the Channel.
Discussion
The findspots of Late Bronze Age Hoards 1 and 2, assigned a date around the 8th century BC, provide some interesting information as to the nature of their original deposition. In both cases the hoards appear to overlie Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age features and deposits and thus may post-date the settlement in this area, although a date in the 8th century BC might fall at the beginning of the pottery sequence. Neither of the hoards appears to have been buried in pits, and the evidence is particularly clear in the case of Hoard 2. Here, a concentration of objects was found together at the base of the subsoil, just above the interface with the natural, with further, generally smaller elements scattered around with some overlying or in the surface of 'midden deposit' 705. The inference might be that that they were placed on the ground surface (? in a bag) and perhaps covered with a small mound of soil, and have subsequently suffered some minor disturbance as a result of ploughing. The precise findspot of Hoard 1 is less clear in this respect, but again there is no indication of the objects having been buried in a pit. The significance of the lens of dark soil in which at least one of the axes (and probably all three) was found is uncertain; it may have been 'ploughed off' the top of a feature or represent an in situ deposit. The context of the 2005 excavation finds (seven further objects) would appear to support the latter suggestion. It may be relevant to note that the Ebbsfleet III hoard (comprising five objects) found in 1992 (Lawson 1995) lay within a 1m² area in a uniform mixture of Thanet Beds sand at a depth of approximately 0.8m. No stratigraphy could be distinguished and, in particular, no pit in which they were buried, and more extensive stripping around the hoard revealed no further objects suggesting only very limited dispersal through ploughing.
The discovery of two Late Bronze Age hoards in the evaluation represents a significant addition to the three previous finds at Ebbsfleet, including the major group of at least 190 objects found in 1893. It also adds to the marked concentration of 'Carp's Tongue' hoards already recovered from the Isle of Thanet and the former Wantsum Channel (Lawson 1995, 277). What may be particularly significant about the two most recent finds, apart from their context, is the apparent absence of any evidence for metalworking on the Site. Despite careful searching no fragments of crucibles, moulds or bronze droplets were found; the hoards may represent founders' hoards, but no actual evidence of metalworking has so far been forthcoming.
Lawson, A.J., 1995, 'Bronze Age metalwork' in Hearne, C.M., Perkins, D.J. and Andrews, P., 'The Sandwich Bay Wastewater Treatment Scheme archaeological project, 1992-1994', Archaeol. Cantiana, 115, 274-7
Phil Andrews (Wessex Archaeology), with identifications by Andrew J. Lawson
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Wessex Archaeology
Subsequent action after recording: Undergoing further examination at a museum
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2004T228
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1000 BC
Date to: Circa 800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 32
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 26th May 2004 - Friday 4th June 2004
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2004T228
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Gravesham (District)
To be known as: Ebbsfleet
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: KENT-30F137
Object type: HOARD
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
A Bronze Age hoard of one cast copper alloy socketed axe and fifteen copper alloy ingots/bronze cake fragments.
Catalogue
Note: Catalogue …
Workflow: Published
Find number: SF-88E071
Object type: HOARD
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
Description: Following metal detecting and excavation which recovered a hoard of 16 objects in March 2012 recorded under PAS reference SF-48B…
Workflow: Published
Find number: CORN-37D710
Object type: HOARD
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
Cast copper alloy Late Bronze Age 'metalworkers' hoard consisting of twelve objects: one copper alloy socketed axe, one flanged blade of anot…
Workflow: Published
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618