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AXEHEAD
Unique ID: NMGW-96C616
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Blade fragment from a Bronze Age axe, probably of Middle Bronze Age date, c. 1500-1100 BC. The axe is represented by a blade fragment only, and has a surviving length of 32.1mm. The original surface of the axe has been lost, and little surface detail survives. The axe was probably comparatively slender and has a minimum width across the break of 21mm. The break is eroded and round and shows no evidence of a socket base. The sides expand to the blade tips, which are now rounded, giving a blade width of 35.5mm. No evidence for casting flashes survive on the sides. The blade edge is curved. One face is relatively flat, while the other has the suggestion of a blade facet surviving, beginning c. 10mm from the blade edge. The fragment weighs 28.4g. The bronze is heavily pitted and has a dark green to brown patina. The fragment is likely to originate from a palstave of Middle Bronze Age date, but may be from an earlier developed or flanged axe of later Early Bronze Age, from c. 1700BC.
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: Middle
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1700 BC
Date to: Circa 1100 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 32.1 mm
Width: 35.5 mm
Weight: 28.4 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st February 2005
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: NMGWPA 2005.28
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: Wales (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Rhondda Cynon Taf (Unitary Authority)
District: Rhondda Cynon Taf (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Tonypandy (Community)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SS9991
Four figure Latitude: 51.60874385
Four figure longitude: -3.45992718
1:25K map: SS9991
1:10K map: SS99SE
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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