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HAMMER
Unique ID: ESS-DCFBEA
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete Middle-Late Bronze Age tool, possibly a hammer, dating 1600-800BC. The object is cylindrical with a domed end and a circular open end. There is a single facet on the object, some of which is no longer visible due to a large section of the object having broken away. The metal is a mid-light green with patches of white discolouration on the outer surface and concreted dirt on parts of the inner surface.
The identification of this object being a hammer comes from Elpidia Fregni, who suggested it might be a repousse tool and that it is an unusual item for Britain. Having shown the item to Neil Wilkin, he agrees the object is unusual but provided an alternative possible identification as a ferrule for a staff. Both agree that the object is a Bronze Age tool, but the function remains uncertain.
Dimensions: length: 55.93 mm; diameter: 29.26 mm; thickness: 3.01 mm; weight: 68.67g.
Identification:
Neil Wilkin, Curator of Bronze Age collection in the Department of Prehistory and Europe, British Museum.
Elpida Fregni was awarded a PhD Archaeology in 2014, her thesis examining wear patterns on Bronze Age Metalworking tools
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: CIMS
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1600 BC
Date to: Circa 800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 55.93 mm
Thickness: 3.01 mm
Weight: 68.87 g
Diameter: 29.26 mm
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: OEF 7823
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cambridgeshire (County)
District: South Cambridgeshire (District)
To be known as: South Cambridgeshire
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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