Rights Holder: All rights reserved
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: NMGW-844D42
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Early to Middle Bronze Age bronze Group I, Primary Shield Pattern palstave of Acton Park Metalworking Industry and of Needham's (1996) Periods 4-5, c. 1600 - 1400BC.
The palstave is near-complete, missing one blade tip (with a length of 163mm, it was not possible to obtain a weight). The butt is near-straight. (22.3mm wide and 5mm thick). The sides are straight and near-parallel as far as the stop and is comparatively slender (at 25.0mm wide and 25.4mm wide at the stop). The sides are not nicked below the stop but are concave and divergent to produce a moderately expanded blade edge but has lost one of the blade tips (with a surviving width of 59.7mm) and has also lost the original blade edge. There was no loop and the casting seams are evident on both sides and have ben finished, probably by hammering. The flanges begin below the butt (approximately 13mm) and are now truncated but are straight, gradually rising towards the stop (where the axe has a maximum thickness of 22.1mm) but do not continue onto the blade. The septum has a slight concavity across its width and has a consistent thickness. The stop has a gentle curve and is slightly undercut (with a height above the septum of 8.2mm and 6mm above the blade). Below the stop on the blade is a shallow shield-shaped depression (21mm long), characteristic of the palstave type. The blade is convex across both its width and length. There is the suggestion of two weak blade facets and discernible hammer marks are present on the lower part of the blade. Sharpening striations are evident running off the blade edge. The surface has a dark-brown patina with more recent surface damage and loss with a bright green corrosion. The surface has been treated by the finder, possibly altering the patina colour.
Notes:
The axe is an early example of the palstave form and it has been argued (Schmidt & Burgess 1981, pp. 125) that North-East Wales and the Marches was the source of this form of axe type.
1. Needham, S. 1996; Chronology and Periodisation in the British Bronze Age, Acta Archaeologica 67, p. 121-140
2. Schmidt, P.K. & Burgess, C. 1981; The Axes of Scotland and Northern Ireland, Praähistorische Bronzefunde Abteilung IX, 7. Band 7
(Record Produced at a 'Finds day' with limited equipment and references - the quality of record will not be of usual standards)
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class: Group I, Primary Shield Pattern
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1600 BC
Date to: Circa 1400 BC
Quantity: 1
Length: 163 mm
Width: 59.7 mm
Thickness: 22.1 mm
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference: NMWPA 2014.204.1
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: SJ0466
Four figure Latitude: 53.18240621
Four figure longitude: -3.43799704
1:25K map: SJ0466
1:10K map: SJ06NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.