AXE

An incomplete, hand made, iron axe head, of possible Roman dating (AD 43 to AD 410).

It has a curved and flaring blade that has a triangular longitudinal section. The axe expands to the pole / shaft end, which curves downwards, is flat and rectangular in form. The eye through which the axe would have originally have been hafted is oval with an integral projecting lug at the blade end on the upper surface. Part of the cutting blade is missing, presumed lost in antiquity.

It measures 193 mm in length, 45.1 mm wide at the pole / shaft end, 37.3 mm tall at the pole / shaft end, 66.7 mm tall at the blade end. Weight can not be determined as it is too heavy for the scales.

The axe is a mid brown colour, with the surface covered with iron corrosion products (rust).

This axe is similar to that recorded on the PAS database as SF-1D7E43. That was noted as an iron axe of possible Roman date. It finds parallels in Manning's Type 4 axes (Manning, 1985: pp. 15-16, Fig. 3.4, pl. 7 nos. B5-B6) that he considers as the "Roman axe par excellence". These typically have backward sweeping blades, oval eyes and may occur with or without lugs, as on the current example. Furthermore, he notes they generally fall into two groups with a heavier axe weighing c.1.6 kg and a lighter one weighing c.0.77 kg, Interestingly, Manning notes the similarities with later Saxon Francisca axes, which probably derive from Roman examples, hinting at a possible later date for the current example. It is possible that the axe may be more recent in dating, as functional tools change very little over time, with similar styles still being in use today.

Reference:
Manning, W.H. 1985. Catalogue of the Romano-British iron tools, fittings and weapons in the British Museum. British Museum Publications. London.