Record ID: NMGW-22B071 - BRONZE AGE palstave

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Palstave

Unique ID: NMGW-22B071

Object type certainty: Certain

Bronze palstave axe dating to the early Middle Bronze Age, and probably of Taunton or Cemmaes metalworking tradition, Needham et al. (1996) Period 5; c. 1500-1150 BC. The palstave is of an early type and is unlooped, and is also without either a shield pattern or a mid-rib on the blade. The palstave would appear to belong to Group III palstaves of Low-Flanged (Broad-Blade) form, the lack of cast blade decoration on this example makes it difficult to categorise to a specific type, but would appear to be dated to c. 1350-1200BC. The palstave is relatively slight, compared to the more massive Acton Park type. The sides are parallel as far as the stop, and then gradually diverge to a slightly expanded blade. The blade edge is gently curved with a long (14mm) blade facet. The blade sides have been pronounced on the upper blade, forming low ribs. The bar stop is straight and meets the flange at a right angle; on the blade side, the stop is near vertical before arcing to the blade face and forming a ‘bar ledge stop’. The flanges are low, as defined by the type, and diverge laterally to a diagonal step before the stop. The butt is eroded, but seems to have had a V-shaped nick. The sides are slightly rounded and convex. The casting seams are discernible but largely eroded. One side appears wider on one half of the mould side than the other. Much of the surface of the palstave has been lost, but survives to a greater extent on one face and appears to have a black patchy coating or patina.

Notes:

The palstave is of particular interest because of the unusual absence of cast decoration on the face, and together with the lack of a loop, possibly suggests an earlier date within the type. The relatively sophisticated form and profile however may hint at a slightly later date. Whilst Low-Flanged palstaves are not uncommon finds from the welsh Middle Bronze Age (some 120 recorded examples), a palstave without the characteristic ornament or loop makes the find of archaeological interest and difficult to parallel with known examples.

Class: Group III
Sub class: Low-Flanged

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Period from: BRONZE AGE [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa 1500 BC
Date to: Circa 1150 BC

Dimensions and weight

Length: 122.7 mm
Width: 58 mm
Thickness: 26.6 mm
Weight: 309.2 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]

Spatial data

Region: Wales
County: Pembrokeshire
District: Pembrokeshire
Parish: Angle

Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: SM8503
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 10 metre square.

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

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Monday 1st December 2003

Personal details

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

Other reference numbers

Other reference: NMGWPA 2004.15

References cited

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