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SPEARHEAD
Unique ID: SWYOR-BF7F41
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A looped and socketed copper alloy spear head dating from the Middle Bronze Age, about 1550 - 1250 BC. It seems to fit into Davis's Group 2 (2017). It has a triangular blade with ribs on each blade wing, and a prominent midrib, lozenge shaped in cross-section. The socket is circular in cross-section and the socket extends just into the base of the blade midrib. There is a side loop on each side of the socket, positioned very close to the end of the object, away from the blade. The spear head is 124.5mm long, 30.4mm wide and 20.6mm thick. It weighs 103.49gm. The internal diameter of the socket is 15.5mm. It has a smooth golden brown patina with only slight pitting and corrosion.
Davis (2017) notes that "Spearheads from the earlier MBA were those with sockets extending into the blade, and with loops on the side of the socket. They date to the Acton Park and Taunton phases, 1550-1250 BC." He describes his Group 2: "Early socketed" as "Triangular blade. Socket with short shaft aperture extending only to base of the blade."
Davis R (2017) Later Prehistoric Finds Group Object Datasheet No.5; A Short Guide to Early and Middle Bronze Age Spearheads
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Class:
Early socketed
Sub class: Davis Group 2 (2017)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1550 BC
Date to: Circa 1250 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 124.5 mm
Width: 30.4 mm
Thickness: 20.6 mm
Weight: 103.49 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st February 2017 - Tuesday 28th February 2017
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: PAS form number 2996
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Ryedale (District)
Parish or ward: Thornton-le-Dale (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE8382
Four figure Latitude: 54.22699979
Four figure longitude: -0.7283497
1:25K map: SE8382
1:10K map: SE88SW
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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