CASTING WASTE

A complete copper alloy casting jet for a socketed axe, of the South Wales type of socketed axe, of Bronze Age date.

The object is circular in plan and sub-conical. Four circular-sectioned runners project from the body of the object. The runners measure 6-8mm in length and are 4mm thick. The upper surface is dished with a rough surface. The object has a mid-green patina.

Dimensions: 22mm in length, 30mm in diameter, 26.4g

South Wales types of socketed axes uses a four runner technology during production, resulting in four runners (or spikes) projecting from the object. Examples with two runners are more frequently recorded such as LVPL-3AAD50 https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/487703. Examples of South Wales types of socketed axes can be found in several Bronze Age hoards such as NMGW-1C435C, NMGW-AFDAE8, and NMGW-860652. South Wales socketed axes are late Bronze Age in date (c. 950-750 BC).These axes are considered to be part of the Ewart Park metalworking tradition (Metalworking phase XII) which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 6-7 circa 1000-700 CAL. BC.

Casting jets are waste products which form at the top of a two-piece clay mould when the molten metal has filled the object-shaped void below. As they represent re-usable metal, they were often retained and regularly turn up in base metal hoards of the period. C.f with PAS record BH-8DDE6E.