Rights Holder: Hampshire Cultural Trust
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
MINIATURE OBJECT
Unique ID: HAMP-657353
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A Late Bronze Age to Roman (1150 BC - AD 410) copper alloy miniature socketed axehead of Robinson's Type Ib (Robinson, Wiltshire Archaeology Magazine 1995, p.60) with concave sides and short broad neck.
The axehead is thinnest at the blade end (1.6mm thick) expanding over the length to 6.7mm at the mouth. The internal part of the socket measures 5.7x2.6mm and is 14.6mm deep. The C-shaped loop (7.6mm tall) is cast to the side just below the mouth and is not part of the body of the axe. The mouth has no moulding to differentiate it from the rest of the axehead.
The axehead is triangular in profile and the surface although now pitted retains traces of a smooth, blue-green/ grey patina. There is recent damage to one face and older damage at the mouth and along one side (the latter probably being a result of the casting process). It measures 21.4mm in length and has a cutting edge max.17.9mm wide (also its maximum width). The narrowest part (the mouth of the axehead) is 10.7mm wide. It weighs 5.49g.
The dating of miniature axeheads is from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman period, although they are more common from the Roman period. Their function is probably as an amulet or votive. This is a rather nicely-executed example and in outline rather more faithful to Late Bronze Age socketed axeheads than miniature axeheads usually are.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Class: Robinson Type Ib
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa 1150 BC
Date to: Circa AD 410
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 21.4 mm
Width: 17.9 mm
Thickness: 6.7 mm
Weight: 5.49 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: Hampshire Cultural Trust Object Entry Form WINCM 264
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Swindon (Unitary Authority)
District: Swindon (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Liddington (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU2179
Four figure Latitude: 51.50954244
Four figure longitude: -1.69879966
1:25K map: SU2179
1:10K map: SU27NW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: HAMP-6EF338
Object type: MINIATURE OBJECT
Broadperiod: ROMAN
A Late Bronze Age to Roman (1150 BC - AD 410) copper alloy miniature socketed axehead of Robinson's Type I (Robinson, Wiltshire Archaeology M…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: WILT-889E3E
Object type: AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: IRON AGE
An Iron Age or Roman copper alloy miniature object in the form of a socketed axehead.
It is possibly of Robinson's Type II. It measures 22…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: YORYM-FB2336
Object type: AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: IRON AGE
Cast copper alloy socketed axehead dating from the Early Iron Age, that is c. 800-600BC. The axehead is 62.3mm long and weighs 45.8g. The bla…
Workflow: Published
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618