AXE

The three objects were found on cultivated land during May 2006. Two of the objects were found close together but on consecutive days; the first object, no. 1 was discovered on 4th May 2006 at a depth of 6-8 inches and the second, no. 2 was found on 5th May 2006 at a depth of 2 inches and approximately 6 inches away from the first object. The third object, no. 3 was found at the end of May approximately 2m away from nos. 1-2 and at a depth of approximately 2 inches within the ploughsoil. Description 1. Unlooped palstave; almost complete. The blade starts parallel at the top and then expands progressively towards the convex cutting edge. Single medial rib on either face extending from the base of the septum for c. 75.8mm. Blade edge missing through corrosion damage and light horizontal striations close to blade edge. Corrosion-reduced flange crests, butt and considerable loss at cutting edge. Heavy surface pocking and pitting and corrosion on both sides and faces. W. butt: 24.5mm; Th. butt: 24.75mm; L. septum: 65.15mm; L: blade: 92.1mm; W. blade: 57.35mm; Wt: 423g 2. Fragment, palstave. Lower blade end. Moulded midrib visible on one face only. The other face is very heavily corroded and any decoration is now invisible. Strain cracked. L: 46.7mm; W: 51.5mm; T: 12mm; Wt: 71g 3. Fragment, palstave. Butt and parts of septum and upper blade. Very heavily corroded. L: 51.88mm; W. butt: 23.9mm; Th. butt: 20.4mm; Wt: 99g Dimensions (millimetres/grams) L: length Th: thickness W: width Wt: weight Discussion The almost complete palstave (no. 1) and the two palstave fragments (nos. 2-3) represent a minimum of two unlooped midribbed palstaves; a standard type for the Middle Bronze Age and specifically the Acton Park phase, circa 1500 - 1400 BC. Conclusion Although from a very limited area, the bronze implements were not recovered as a closed find. Nevertheless, their context in ploughsoil and evidence that at least two have been broken, makes it very likely that they are disturbed from their original context(s), while their proximity and comparable dating, make a single original deposit a favoured interpretation. As a dispersed hoard of Middle Bronze Age date, they would be eligible as Treasure under the Treasure Designation Order of 2002.