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PALSTAVE
Unique ID: WAW-A9C090
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A worn copper alloy (bronze) palstave of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1500-1100 BC). Possibly an Early Palstave of Group I (c. 1500-1100 BC).
The palstave has triangular flanges that taper towards the straight butt. The stop ridges are slightly crescentic and are lower than the flanges. Beneath the stop ridges, there are what appear to be shield-shaped depressions on both faces. The blade flares from the stop ridge and ends in a curved, flared and asymmetrical cutting edge, likely asymmetrical due to damage. There are traces of casting ridges along both sides of the object.
Schmidt and Burgess (1981: pl 57) illustrate several similar examples which they term Primary shield pattern palstaves. These are dated to the earlier part of the Middle Bronze Age c.1500-1100 cal BC (ibid: 119).
Dimensions.
Length: 154.05mm.
Width: 55.74mm.
Thickness: 29.26mm.
Weight: 401g.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1500 BC
Date to: Circa 1100 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 154.05 mm
Width: 55.74 mm
Thickness: 29.26 mm
Weight: 401 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 16th July 2022
Personal details
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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: Rudge (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SO8096
Four figure Latitude: 52.56146145
Four figure longitude: -2.29645926
1:25K map: SO8096
1:10K map: SO89NW
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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Timeline of associated dates
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