PALSTAVE

A complete cast copper alloy (bronze) palstave axe from the Bronze Age. Possibly associated with the Acton Park Phase of metal-working, and so dated to approx.1500-1400BC.

A casting seem can be seen in profile on both sides of the rear part of the axe, and along one side of the blade piece. There are raised flange facets, which end below the stop ridge and disappear into the blade piece. The blade of the palstave is sub-triangular in plan, with convex expanding sides, and a convex cutting edge. The cutting edge is 3mm thick, and both faces of the blade edge have been thinned, with striations showing evidence of sharpening.

The axe is lozenge shaped in profile, tapering to thin points at each end, with the widest part being the flanges before the stop ridge. There are transverse raised ridges 5mm thick, at the mid point of the axe on both sides. The blade, measured from the cutting edge to the stop ridge is 101mm long. The width of the cutting edge (measured from the furthest points at each end) is 72mm, and the total length of the cutting edge is 85mm. The thickness of the blade (measured just below the mid-point ridges) is 15mm. The width of the axe at this point is 17mm.

The rear part of the axe (from the stop ridge to the butt) is sub-rectangular in plan and sub-triangular in profile. The widest part in profile is just behind the stop ridge, where the flanges flare outward and measures 33mm. The width at the stop-ridge is 25mm. The septum (the area between the stop ridge and the flange facets) is 72mm long, 19mm wide and 8mm deep (when measured from the floor of the septum to the top edge of the stop ridge.

The axe has a deep green patina with some surface flaking and flaking along the blade edge. There are various striations on the surface of the axe, with some corrosion evident. The object has been treated with renaissance wax by the finder.

Dimensions: weight 553g, length 177mm, width (at midpoint) 30mm, thickness (at mid-point) 18mm