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GOUGE
Unique ID: CORN-319C01
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Incomplete cast copper alloy socketed gouge, semi-circular in plan, at the cutting edge, lozenge-shaped in profile and circular in section. The circular socketed end is broken and partly missing and the cutting edge is worn and nicked in two places and on one side. The gouge tapers in profile from the open end to a point at the cutting edge which is curved into a semi-circle so that it can gouge out sections of wood etc. The surface is pitted and some of the original patina remains on the inside and outside of the gouge, but the damaged edges have become worn and corroded and there are patches of light green bronze disease. Socketed gouges are first seen in the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age.
Pearce (1983) illustrates similar socketed gouges from St Keverne, Cornwall on page 570, Plate 9, No.75, from Blandford, Dorset on page 607, Plate 46, No.348f, from Lulworth, Dorset on page 623, Plate 62, No.502, and from Stogursey, Somerset on page 649, Plate 88, No.746e, which are dated from the Ewart Park period c.900-800 BC.
Needham and Rohl (1998) illustrate a similar socketed gouge with a circular socket on page 136, Fig.38, No.323, which is dated from the Ewart Park phase also.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 900 BC
Date to: Circa 800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 61 mm
Width: 20 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight: 31.49 g
Diameter: 18 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st April 2010 - Monday 31st May 2010
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Devon (County)
District: South Hams (District)
Parish or ward: Bigbury (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SX6646
Four figure Latitude: 50.298691
Four figure longitude: -3.882796
1:25K map: SX6646
1:10K map: SX66NE
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearce, S.M. | 1983 | The Bronze Age Metalwork of South Western Britain | Oxford | British Archaeological Reports | 570,607,623,649, Plates 9,46,62,88 | Nos.75,348f,502m,746e | |
| Rohl, B. and Needham, S.P. | 1998 | The Circulation of Metal in the British Bronze Age: The Application of Lead Isotope Analysis | London | British Museum Press | 136, Fig.38, | No.323 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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