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FLAT AXEHEAD
Unique ID: LVPL-1F1F91
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An almost complete cast copper alloy later Early Bronze Age Type Aylesford developed flat axe. This implement is sub-rectangular in plan with an expanded blade from which the edges are missing. The butt is narrow, rounded and is almost complete measuring 20mm in width and 2.5mm thick. The profile of the axe is a sub pointed oval with both terminals tapering. In section the axe is slightly H-shaped as the side edges of the axe have been raised to form slight flanges. The flanges have been damaged leaving a depth of only 1mm where the patina remains within the septum. The expanded blade measures 68mm in width and is 3mm thick.
The axehead measures 139mm in length, 68mm in width (at the blade), 10mm thick and weighs 207.4g.
The patina across most of the axehead has been worn and eaten away by invasive corrosion. This has left some of the axe covered in deep craters or pocks, some of which are actively corroding. A small amount of a smooth dark brown patina is visible on one face of the axehead. The object is a dark brown colour.
The axe head dates to Early Bronze Age III 2050-1800BC - which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 3 and Burgess Metalwork stage VI.
Aylesford flat axes are the stepping stone from Migdale to developed and have slight median bevel and slight raised flanges, (peers. comm. P Reavill).
Class:
Developed
Sub class: Aylesford
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 2050 BC
Date to: Circa 1800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 139 mm
Width: 68 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight: 207.4 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st October 2015 - Monday 9th November 2015
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: Staffordshire Moorlands (District)
To be known as: Biddulph
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
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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