METAL WORKING DEBRIS

1: A bronze (not analysed) two-edged blade fragment, probably from a sword.  Severely bent in an arch to about 70 degrees from vertical.  Both of the cutting edges are lost due to corrosion but despite the corrosion it can be seen that the blade is slightly waisted longitudinally.  It has a bi-convex lenticular cross-section with very slight concave channels.  Fine longitudinal sharpening/cleaning striations can also be seen close to the former blade edges.  Both of the end breaks are recent, there are no obvious hammer breakage marks and although the bending of the blade is considerable there are no obvious stress marks.  The fragment is patinated a deep dark brown, apart from areas of pale green surface corrosion (mainly on the edges).  It measures 45mm in length, 27mm in maximum width and has a maximum thickness of 7mm.  It weighs 53.59g. 

2:  A large copper (?) fragment from a circular plano-convex ingot.  It has an irregular rounded surface with numerous gaseous casting voids.  There are considerable areas of medium brown iron like residue on some surfaces, possibly iron pan or metallic residue from smelting.  Elsewhere this fragment has a medium to dark brown patina with small areas of pale green surface corrosion.  It has an estimated original diameter of 250mm and measures 90mm in length, 50mm in width and 33mm in thickness it weighs 285.91g.

3:  A medium copper (?) fragment from a circular plano-convex ingot, very similar to the fragment described above.  It has an estimated diameter of 200mm, a length of 67mm, width of 40mm and thickness of 24mm, it weighs 164-07.

4:  A small copper (?) fragment, probably from a circular plano-convex ingot, as above, 35mm in length, 23mm in width, 15mm in thickness and 41.06g in weight.

5: A copper (?) fragment, probably from a circular plano-convex ingot, as above,  39mm in length, 20mm in width, 12mm in thickness and 31.81g in weight.