PALSTAVE

A copper alloy (bronze) Middle Bronze Age copper-alloy Primary / Early phase Group III palstave (1500-1300 BC).

The object has a single midrib visible only on one face, a slight shield shaped pattern below the stop ridge and raised flange facets. The blade of the palstave is sub-triangular in plan, with convex expanding sides, and a convex cutting edge. The cutting edge is rounded due to abrasion, but appears to be symmetrical. The cutting edge measures 56.48mm in width and is 3.75mm thick.

In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the widest section being before the stop ridge. The object measures 23.60mm in width and 29.17mm thick at the stop ridge.

Beneath the stop-ridge, on each face of the palstave, is a narrow concave depression, which is bordered by raised ridges. This is broadly sub-rectangular (U-shaped) and is probably an area of decoration, usually described as shield shaped. Due to corrosion and adhering soil it is only partially visible on one face. The shield measures 12.29mm in width and 14.83mm in length on the clearer face. Through this shield descends a vertical rib that extends to the mid point on the upper blade forming a trident like pattern The object has a U-shaped septum and straight-sided open flanges for hafting. The flanges are incomplete. At the stop ridge on one face the flange measures 10.63mm in depth. The butt of the object is incomplete and measures 19.35mm in width and 3.49 thick.

The remains of a side loop project from one side of the palstave.

The palstave is an early example and is classified as a Group III type which has both a mid-rib and shield decoration forming a trident. These group of palstaves date to the Middle Bronze Age period, and can be narrowed down to 1500-1300 BC (http://finds.org.uk/bronzeage/objects/axes). The axehead fits within Needham Period 5, Burgess Metalworking phase VIII and is likely to be part of the Acton Park II metalworking assemblage. This form is very common in the west midlands and marches' good parallels recorded on the PAS database can be seen from Wentnor, Shropshire (HESH-C253E1) and Myddle, Shropshire (HESH-174823)