Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Unique ID: IOW-2ED697
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A fragment of a Late Bronze Age copper-alloy socketed axehead (c. 1000 BC-c. 800 BC).
This fragment is the lower part of the expanded blade and forms the cutting edge. It has been cut or broken just above the base of the socket. The cutting edge is curved convex (crescent shaped) and is very sharp. In plan, the sides flare out to the blade tips and in side view it is triangular. Both sides have a very faint casting seam which may have been hammered down. The remnant of the socket is about 11.0mm deep.
This axehead is green with darker green corrosion products. It has patches of a dark grey/black material, possibly a patina or sooting. The break is worn and abraded.
Height: 26.0mm; width at blade tips: 50.0mm; width at break: 36.1mm; thickness: 10.2mm. Weight: 32.97g.
Socketed axes are most common during the Ewart park phase of metal work which corresponds with metalworking phases X - XII, or Needham Periods 6-7, dating from about 1150-750 CAL BC. This would date the axe from about 1000 - 800 BC. However socketed axes were also known during the Wilburton phase of metalwork and due to the incompleteness of this example an earlier date cannot be ruled out.
Class: Ewart Park
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1000 BC
Date to: Circa 800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 26 mm
Width: 50 mm
Thickness: 10.2 mm
Weight: 32.97 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 26th November 2017 - Sunday 26th November 2017
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: IOW2017-7-313
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
District: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Isle of Wight
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SWYOR-6CE3ED
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date (1000 - 800 BC). The object can be classified as being from the Ewart …
Workflow: Published
Find number: LVPL-900F50
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date (1100 - 800 BC). The object can be classified as the Wilburton or Ewar…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SWYOR-BECF02
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: BRONZE AGE
A fragment of a cast copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date ( about 1000 - 800 BC). The object can be classified as fitting into t…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618