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PALSTAVE
Unique ID: WMID-B938CA
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete palstave of Middle Bronze Age dating, probably of the Wantage type, part of Acton Park / Taunton phase, c 1400 - c. 1150 cal BC.
Around 95% of the palstave is present, with the butt incomplete. The septum is straight and does not taper towards the butt. The flanges start off parallel to the stop ridge and taper in a straight diagonal line to the butt. The blade has straight sides as it expands towards a crescentic blade edge. The blade is longer than the butt. A shield design (trident variation) is present at the top of the blade, with one central ridge and two inward curving lines starting at the stop right and curving inwards to the central line. The line continues below the shield shape. A slight crack, as a casting flaw is present below the stop ridge on the blade facet. The top of the blade facet is straight across the blade. Slight traces of the casting seam are visible along both sides of the butt. No loop or knick are present.
Measurements:
Overall Length: 159 mm
Maximum Width: 59.0 mm
Maximum thickness: 35.5 mm
Septum Length: 68.9 mm
Butt width: 19.8 mm
Butt thickness: 5.3 mm
Flange Height: 12.1 mm
Stop ridge height: 12.1 mm
Blade length: 90.1 mm
Blade width (stop ridge): 25.0 mm
Blade width (edge): 59.0 mm
Blade thickness: 3.3 mm
Weight: 458.5 g
The palstave is a mid to dark green colour, with an even surface patina.
This palstave fits within the Group 3 Palstave types, consistent with dating between c. 1400 to C. 1150 cal BC.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1400 BC
Date to: Circa 1150 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 159 mm
Width: 59 mm
Thickness: 35.5 mm
Weight: 458.5 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Shropshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Shropshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Little Ness (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SJ4121
Four figure Latitude: 52.78333784
Four figure longitude: -2.87619967
1:25K map: SJ4121
1:10K map: SJ42SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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