SOCKETED AXEHEAD

A small fragment of a copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date (1100 - 750 BC) most probably from a three ribbed axehead produced during the Ewart Park phase / industry of metalwork. The fragment is sub-rectangular in plan and curved in profile; the fragment is from the upper corner / mouth of an axe. Only one exterior face of the socket remains; the loop, lower socket and blade are missing due to old patinated breaks. The mouth of the object is rough and uneven; the fragment does not include any of the casting runners. Beneath the mouth the socket flares to form a relatively narrow moulded collar. The mouth measures 45mm in length and is 8mm thick along it's straight edge. The exterior face is decorated with three raised but poorly defined ribs which run down the length of the object terminating at the break. The internal face is rough with a dark brown surface patina. The outer face is uneven with a dark brown patina and patches of mid-green copper alloy corrosion where the patina has broken away most probably due to abrasion within the plough soil.

A complete example of this type of axe which has been recorded on the PAS database can be found here LVPL-719FB3 https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/654745.This form of axe fits well within the chronology of the period and fits best with material created during the Ewart Park phase (1000-800) which fits within Needham period 7, Metalworking phase XI - XII. Such fragments of axe like this are rare survivals with most breakages being recycled or deliberately redeposited.

Dimensions: 60mm in length, 45mm in width, 16mm thick, 60.4 grams