Rights Holder: Derby Museums Trust
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Unique ID: DENO-A24823
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: 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)
This is a find of note and has been designated: National importance
Class: palstave
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
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
Quantity: 1
Length: 173 mm
Width: 47 mm
Thickness: 37.5 mm
Weight: 699.5 g
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st January 2009 - Tuesday 1st September 2009
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Other reference: Derby E6639
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.