Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
PALSTAVE
Unique ID: NMGW-774626
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Medial fragment from a Bronze Age copper alloy palstave.
The fragment has broken in antiquity and has a surviving length of 74.6mm and weighs 139.8g. The fragment encompasses the upper end of the blade, the stop and the majority of the septum. The septum has a surviving length of 45mm and is broken at an angle. It is possible that the position at the end of the septum is the butt of the palstave, although this can not be demonstrated. The septum is comparatively flat and has a thickness of 6-7mm. Both of the sides are straight for the length of the fragment. The flanges are eroded, but are unlikely to have arched any higher than the maximum thickness at the stop, which is 23.2mm. No loop or remnants are evident on the sides and the casting flashes are no longer visible. The stops are straight and right-angled to the flanges. One of the stops has a large aperture (12mm wide and 13mm deep) as a result of casting problems. The stop is raised above the level of the blade and slopes down to the blade. No decoration is evident on the blade, although one face suggests some hollowing below the stop. The blade side is rounded across its depth. None of the original surface survives on the palstave, which is heavily pitted and has a pale to mid-green patina.
Notes:
Any identification of type is tentative because of the fragmentary and eroded nature of the axe. However, it seems likely that the palstave is unlooped and the arrangement of the flanges may indicate a palstave of 'Low-Flanged' type (Group III palstave), which can be ascribed to the Taunton-Cemmaes metalworking stage, corresponding to Needham's (1996) Period 5, c. 1500 - 1200BC.
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 1500 BC
Date to: Circa 1200 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 74.6 mm
Thickness: 23.2 mm
Weight: 139.8 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st April 2005
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: NMGWPA 2005.94
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: Wales (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Pembrokeshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Pembrokeshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Spittal (Community)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SM9822
Four figure Latitude: 51.859925
Four figure longitude: -4.934915
1:25K map: SM9822
1:10K map: SM92SE
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham, S.P. | 1996 | Chronology and periodisation in the British Bronze Age | Copenhagen | Wiley |
Similar objects
Find number: PUBLIC-491928
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
Middle Bronze Age bronze unlooped palstave of Group III, Low-flanged (Broad-blade) form and of Type Wantage (Schmidt & Burgess, 1981, p 133-4…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: NMGW-98C821
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
Middle Bronze Age bronze palstave The palstave is looped and is of (group III) low-flanged (broad-blade) form, probably of Type Sleaford (Sch…
Workflow: Published
Find number: NMGW-22B071
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
Bronze palstave axe dating to the early Middle Bronze Age, and probably of Taunton or Cemmaes metalworking tradition, Needham et al. (1996) Pe…
Workflow: Published
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618