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AXEHEAD
Unique ID: YORYM-54EB72
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete cast copper alloy socketed axehead of Earliest Iron Age date, c. 8th-7th C BC. Sompting type (Llyn Fawr MW assemblage). The axehead is wedge shaped with a square socket at the haft end with a circumferential raised mouth moulding. Internally the socket tapers and narrows from the mouth to the cutting edge. Externally the axehead expands gently along the body before expanding into the blade and cutting edge which has a slight flare towards each blade tip. To one side of the mouth just below the moulding a D-shape sectioned attachment loop is present and casting flashes remain on both sides including the loop. Both faces of the axehead are decorated with three long narrow ribs which terminate in raised pellets.
Three small fragments of wood were present within the socket and may be remnants of the haft.
The metal has a mid brownish-green patina and is worn. The axehead is 122.9mm long, the mouth moulding has an external diameter of 45.6mm x 41.8mm, and is 66.1mm wide at the blade. The axehead weighs 378g.
Class:
socketed
Sub class: Sompting type (Llyn Fawr MW)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: IRON AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: IRON AGE
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: IRON AGE
Date from: Circa 800 BC
Date to: Exactly 600 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 122.9 mm
Width: 66.1 mm
Thickness: 45.6 mm
Weight: 378 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Ryedale (District)
Parish or ward: Appleton-le-Street with Easthorpe (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE7475
Four figure Latitude: 54.165478
Four figure longitude: -0.86809
1:25K map: SE7475
1:10K map: SE77NW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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