Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
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Unique ID: NARC-A91490
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy Miniature Axe Pendant of Bronze Age to Roman date (2150 BC - AD 410). The object is flat and in the form of an axehead. It is sub-rectangular in shape, flaring in size at the butt with a distinctly rounded cutting edge. The cutting edge is slightly abraded. There is a semi-circular void in the upper side of the the object approximately in the centre of the side. This would have formed the attachment loop, the upper portion is missing, there are small projecting spurs which are missing the central section due to old abraded breaks. The butt end has a shallow socket mouth of ovate profile. The socket mouth is 2.04mm high, 1.68mm wide and 1.59mm deep. The butt of the axe is decorated with two transverse grooved lines.
The metal is a light green in colour with a pitted patina.
Length: 18.31mm, Width: 8.75mm, Thickness: 5.87mm, Weight: 2.3g
Miniature socketed axeheads can be dated from the Bronze Age/Iron Age transition through to the Roman period, though a date towards the earlier end of the spectrum is more likely. They probably functioned as amulets or votive offerings.
Such objects are particularly associated with the sites of shrines, where they were either deposited or acquired as votive items. In this case, a miniature handle might have been attached, though now lost. The finder asserts that finds in the vicinity include numerous Roman coins, which are sometimes considered another feature of such sacred sites.
Class: Axe Head
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: IRON AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: IRON AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa 2150 BC
Date to: Circa AD 200
Quantity: 1
Length: 18.31 mm
Width: 8.75 mm
Thickness: 5.87 mm
Weight: 2.3 g
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: SU0459
Four figure Latitude: 51.33008342
Four figure longitude: -1.94397454
1:25K map: SU0459
1:10K map: SU05NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.