SWORD

An incomplete cast copper-alloy sword hilt of late Hallstatt B3 Urnfield sword, dating to the Late Bronze Age. The object has a sub-lentoid shaped end, with two curled pointed ends and crudely spaced incised line decoration following its perimeter. At the centre of this face, there is a circular hole, which runs through the shaft projecting from the upper surface. The upper surface has no decoration but an irregularly shaped hilt protrudes from the centre; the hilt begins as a narrow lentoid cross-section, which widens slightly and then curves out into a section which is sub-circular in plan and again lentoid in cross-section. It then narrows and breaks off from an old break directly above the circular segment. The remains of a circular hole at either side at the surface of the break suggests that these could have been rivet holes to hole a further element in place within the handle. The hilt seems to be completely hollow down through to the circular hole mentioned above. The entire surface of the object is of an even deep green patina with a lightly grey cast, suggesting that the copper alloy has an elevated tin content. The hilt measures 83.6 mm long overall; ranging from 65.8 mm wide at curled upper segment to 22 mm wide at the neck, 33.2 mm wide at centre, with a broken end measuring 21 mm wide; approximately 15 mm thick at centre, with approximately 2 mm thick copper-alloy walls. The hilt weighs a total of 105 grams. The hilt is Continental in type and as such is an uncommon find within SE England during the Late Bronze Age.