DENO-A24823: Bronze Age lead palstave

Rights Holder: Derby Museums Trust
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PALSTAVE

Unique ID: DENO-A24823

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Published Find published

Lead looped Palstave (Narrow-Bodied, Side-flanged Type Class 2 Group 1) with a narrow blade and trident decoration. It has a narrow body, straight sides and flat side flanges which extend from the butt to the blade edge. A matte white skin of corrosion covers the lead surface except on one side where five scratches reveal it as grey and shiny. Generally the palstave appears unused with most angles and edges intact. However one blade tip and one corner of the butt are damaged. There is also an indentation in the centre of the septum on one side.

Max length: 173; width cutting edge: 47mm; breadth at stop (including loop): 37.5mm; width at butt: 21mm; thickness septum base: 9.5mm; flange side: 3mm; weight 699.5g

Discussion

This palstave is of the Narrow-Bodied Side Flanged Type Class 2 Group 1 as defined by Rowlands (1976, 38) and dates to the Middle Bronze Age Penard Phase (1,300-1,100BC). XRF analysis at the British Museum revealed that it made from lead rather than a high lead bronze alloy. The fact it is made of lead suggests it was made for storage and transporting purposes though it is also possible it could have been used in the casting process as a model.

(Report by Ben Roberts, British Museum)

Find of note status

This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance

Class: palstave

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1300 BC
Date to: Circa 1100 BC

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 173 mm
Width: 47 mm
Thickness: 37.5 mm
Weight: 699.5 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st January 2009 - Tuesday 1st September 2009

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: Derby E6639

Materials and construction

Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: East Midlands (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Derbyshire (County)
District: Derbyshire Dales (District)
To be known as: Brassington

Spatial coordinates


Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: DENO
Created: 13 years ago
Updated: 2 years ago

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