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SPEARHEAD
Unique ID: SUR-031958
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Published 
A Middle/Late Bronze Age copper alloy leaf-shaped spearhead. The spear is well preserved and has very sharp blade edges. The tip and the socket are both broken and there are the remains of one side loop. The spearhead has a sharp ridge between the blades. The socket length is 47.59mm.
Richard Davis suggests that this spearhead can be identified as a Group 6 Developed Side-looped spearhead. It may be dated to the MBA - the later Acton Park and Taunton phases, and possibly the early part of the Penard phase. The lozenge shaped midrib and the prominent midrib ridge are typical of this type. There are remains of the top of the side loop at the bottom of the lower part of the socket remaining. Davis argues further that it appears that the spearhead was purposely damaged in antiquity with the tip and lower socket broken off, and the hole pierced in the lower midrib. This suggests some form of ritual destruction, possibly the weapon of a defeated opponent. (Davis pers. comm.)
Class:
Side-looped
Sub class: Davis (2012) Group 6
Subsequent actions
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 1400 BC
Date to: Circa 1150 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 80.29 mm
Width: 24.83 mm
Weight: 30.02 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: 16-40
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Oxfordshire (County)
District: West Oxfordshire (District)
Parish or ward: Steeple Barton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SP4426
Four figure Latitude: 51.93078107
Four figure longitude: -1.36148292
1:25K map: SP4426
1:10K map: SP42NW
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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