CASTING WASTE

Copper alloy (bronze) casting waste of uncertain date; most probably Mid - Late Bronze Age (1500-700 BC). However, due to the lack of context and the continuation of casting styles this artefact could be dated from Bronze Age - Roman period (c. 1500 BC - 450 AD). This fragment is from the neck (funnel / well) of a composite, probably two part, mould. The casting waste is conical; being oval in plan and D shaped in cross section. In profile the edges of the waste taper relatively evenly. The base of the casting waste is irregular with the remains of one long rectangular runner being present. These jets / runners are heavily abraded. The sides show some evidence of casting seams although they are also similarly abraded. The upper surface is pitted and rough at the centre of the upper surface is a slight depression. This surface is commonly seen where the metal is poured into the neck of the mould and shrinks on cooling. This depression is filled with a hard baked earthenware - possibly part of a ceramic mould. The casting waste is a mid green colour with an abraded and corroded thick patina that covers all surfaces. Casting waste is very hard to date in isolation but the patina and form might suggest a Bronze Age - Roman date. The fact that this mould comes to an oval broken edge may suggest that it was for casting a palstave or possibly a tool; it is most likely to date from the Middle - Late Bronze Age and be associated with other metalworking waste of a similar age in the same field. A direct comparison has not been found. The survival of casting waste is relatively rare as it is usually recycled swiftly as a bi-product of casting.

The casting waste measures: 23.6mm length, 21.0mm wide, is 13.7mm thick and weighs 11.43 grams.