AXEHEAD

A complete iron axehead of late Roman to Early-Medieval date c. AD 300-600.

The butt-end of the tool is flat and sub-rectangular in shape measuring 35.9mm wide and 38.8mm tall. The flat upper surface of the blade gently curves from the top edge of the butt with an empty central oval socket (36mm long x 21mm wide); narrowing from 35.9mm at the butt to 3.4mm at the blade edge. The socket drops parallel to the butt through the tool head. A sub-triangular projection (lug) extends down from the sides of the toolhead on either side of the socket, creating an arched notch adjacent to the butt end. The lower edge of the blade curves sharply from the projection point creating a more curved profile than the upper edge. The fan shaped sides of the blade angle downwards widening from 34.5mm at the neck, where it meets the socket, to 74.8mm wide at the cutting edge. The cutting edge is slightly convex and any evidence of sharpening is lost to the rust. The surface of the axehead is covered with bubbling but overall the condition of the metal appears relatively solid and stable. 

Measurements: Maximum length: 160.0mm; maximum width at blade: 74.8mm; maximum thickness at butt: 35.9mm and weight: 766g. 

Discussion: The axe is similar in form to Roman Manning's Type 4 axes (Manning, 1985: pp. 15-16, Fig. 3.4, pl. 7 nos. B5-B6); which probably had a range of functions although perhaps a military origin (Manning 1976, 24). These typically have backward sweeping blades, oval eyes and may occur with or without lugs, as on the current example. PAS examples include:  WMID-B6FD25 which notes that they generally fall into two groups with a heavier axe weighing c.1.6kg and a lighter one weighing c.0.77kg, the current example falling just below the lighter weight. However this axehead is also similar to the  Early Mediaeval Fransisca axes which were used as weapons and which Manning suggests were developed from the Type 4 form; (Manning 1985: p. 16). Recorded PAS examples include: CAM-5D8F2E and SOM-C39446. Consequently, a wider date of c. AD 300-600 is suggested for this example.