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FLAT AXEHEAD
Unique ID: NMGW-81D3E1
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Published 
Butt fragment from an axehead of Bronze Age date. The butt fragment is likely to be from a developed flat axe or flanged axe of later Early Bronze Age date, metalworking stage IV, corresponding to Needham's 1996 Period 3, c. 2100 - 1700 BC. It is possible however, that the fragment may be from a small palstave of Middle Bronze Age date, c. 1500 - 1150BC. The fragment has a surviving length of 27.1mm and a maximum surviving width at the break of 15.9mm. The butt is neatly rounded and has a thickness of 1.3mm. The sides are straight and diverge gently before the break. The sides are rounded and the flanges are marked by facets. The faces are flat except for the low flanges, which have a maximum surviving height of 0.5mm. At the break the fragment has a thickness of 8.2mm across the flanges and 7.3mm across the septum. The fragment weighs 15.8g. The fragment appears to have come from a well cast axe and has been neatly finished. One face has a silvery appearance, possibly because of surface enrichment of tin. The surface is in good condition with dark green to brown patina.
Notes:
This fragment probably once belonged to a Class 4 or Class 5 axe (following Needham 1983), and dated to the MA V Willerby to MA VI Arreton phases of the Early Bronze Age (c.1750-1500 BC) (Needham et al. 1997). Similar flanged axes from which this piece may have originated can be seen in Savory (1980, Fig.18, Nos. 121, 259), though no further classification can be achieved from this fragment.
Class: Fragment
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 2100 BC
Date to: Circa 1500 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 27.1 mm
Width: 15.9 mm
Thickness: 8.2 mm
Weight: 15.8 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st February 2005
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: NMGWPA 2005.25.1
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Malmesbury (Civil Parish)
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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