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Unique ID: BH-2DF409
Object type certainty: Certain
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status: Published
A copper-alloy dagger, possibly dating to the Middle to Late Bronze Age (1300 to 1150 BC). The dagger possesses a lentoidal-section tang which is rectangular in form and expands and flattens to form a rounded terminal. Extending from both the upper and lower surfaces of the tang are small, semi-circular projections measuring 14mm in length and 1mm in width. These projections would have helped secure a handle to the dagger. The tang expands to form the blade which is lentoidal in section and gently tapers to a point, now broken. It measures 180mm in length, the blade has a maximum width of 25mm and a thickness of 3mm. The tang has a width of 14mm.
The object was originally in two pieces and has been restored. It is difficult to fit this small dagger into existing typologies for Bronze Age weaponry and thus its identification must remain tentative. Dot Boughton comments 'that it might belong to the Penard phase, dating to the earliest phase of the Late Bronze Age 1300-1150 BC and be a Ballintober type. Most British Ballintober swords come from the Thames Valley and a small number was found in South West England and South Wales. Until a sword of this type was found near Stranraer (Galloway), the most northerly find came from the River Trent in Nottinghamshire.'
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1300 BC
Date to: Circa 1150 BC
Quantity: 1
Length: 180 mm
Width: 25 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SP9719
Four figure Latitude: 51.86116288
Four figure longitude: -0.59281369
1:25K map: SP9719
1:10K map: SP91NE
Grid reference source: Centred on parish
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1000 metre square.
No references cited so far.