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SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Unique ID: SOM-36C4E7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A fragment of a cast copper-alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date. Only the blade edge survives intact, the remainder now missing due to old breaks. The fragment measures 8.94mm long, 30.97 wide and has a maximum thickness of 5.55m. It weighs 3.96g.
The fragment is 'D' or crescent shaped in plan with a curved cutting edge, and has a straight inner edge. In cross section this inner edge is a pointed oval. The blade edge thickens evenly either side from the cutting edge towards the main section of the axe. Internally the blade is solid at this point. The blade edge has one small chip likely to be post-depositional, the chip showing a clean break.
The fragment is light green in colour and much of its original surface is covered by dark brown well-formed patina.
Given the extent of the curve of the blade and the even thickening towards the centre in cross section, the fragment is likely to be from a Late Bronze Age (c.1150 - 800 cal BC) socketed axehead, although it is not possible to rule out that it was a Middle Bronze Age Palstave. (c.1600 - 1150 cal BC).
Subsequent actions
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 1150 BC
Date to: Circa 800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 8.9 mm
Width: 31 mm
Thickness: 5.6 mm
Weight: 3.96 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 3rd September 2018 - Monday 5th November 2018
Rally details.
This object was found at Detectival 2018
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC Receipt 017918
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Oxfordshire (County)
District: West Oxfordshire (District)
Parish or ward: Leafield (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SP3015
Four figure Latitude: 51.83281208
Four figure longitude: -1.56604031
1:25K map: SP3015
1:10K map: SP31NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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