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DIRK
Unique ID: BERK-2C1328
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
An Early to Middle Bronze Age (1800 - 1400 BC) copper alloy dirk or dagger. Ogival blade expanded centrally. The butt is trapezoid in form with shoulders that curve inwards to the narrow blade. Two rivet holes to the bottom of either side would secure the hilt in place, both of which still retains its rivet; the rivet is 11.5mm long with a 7.4mm diameter and has a slightly expanded domed head at either terminal. The sides of the blade are straight and gradually taper to the point, running down the length of the blade on both sides is a very low central spine. Post depositional corrosion has resulted in shallow notches being removed from the side of the blade but otherwise this item is in very good condition with a light brown patina over most of the artefact.
Dirks, dagegrs and rapiers of this style are classified as the Wessex Culture (c.1800-1400 BC) by Read 2001, 76, no 625, fig 53 and as belonging to Group 2 in Burgess, C., and Gerloff, S. 1981, 'The Dirks and Rapiers of Great Britain and Ireland'. Similar artefact on the database: GLO-7EFE1A
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1800 BC
Date to: Circa 1400 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 169.8 mm
Width: 37.8 mm
Thickness: 3.8 mm
Weight: 53.2 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 10th February 2018
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Oxfordshire (County)
District: Vale of White Horse (District)
Parish or ward: Blewbury (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU5485
Four figure Latitude: 51.56130255
Four figure longitude: -1.22241106
1:25K map: SU5485
1:10K map: SU58NW
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgess, C.B. and Gerloff, S. | 1981 | The Dirks and Rapiers of Great Britain and Ireland | Munich | Beck | Group 2 | ||
| Read, B. | 2001 | Metal artefacts of antiquity: A catalogue of small finds from specific areas of the United Kingdom | Langport | Portcullis Publishing | 76, no 625 | Fig 53 |
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Find number: GLO-7EFE1A
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Timeline of associated dates
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