Record ID: WMID-AFB21A
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy unlooped palstave of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1500-1300BC).Probably an early palstave of Group I - shield pattern type. The blade of the palstave is triangular shaped in plan with expanding sides. The cutting edge measures 37.4 mm in width and is 4.4 mm thick. The cutting edge is blunt. The septum (the area between the flange facets and the stop ridge) gradually tapers towards the butt and is a broad U shape, measuring 57.4 mm in length. The septum is 12.9 mm deep at the stop ridge and the sides have a depth of 7.1 mm. The fla…
Created on: Friday 8th March 2024
Last updated: Friday 8th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-DC6CCA
Object type: KNIFE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy Thorndon type socketed knife dating to the late Bronze Age (c. 950-750 BC). The object consists of the socket and the upper portion of the blade. The socket is oval in shape with incomplete walls. The base of the socket presents a traverse step before extending into the blade. The blade is rectangular in form with a shallow lozenge-shaped section. It terminates with a worn break. The object has a dark brown patina with patches of bright green. Dimensions: Length 103.3mm; width 27.2mm; thickness 10mm; weight 50.25g The form of this knife fits with…
Created on: Tuesday 27th February 2024
Last updated: Monday 4th March 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WREX-3179A5
Object type: AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fragment of a copper alloy axe, probably a palstave, of bronze age date c1400-950BC.  Only the cutting blade end survives, therefore its original form is uncertain and the possibility that it is a flat axehead or a short flanged axehead cannot entirely be ruled out. The upturned tips of the blade are reminiscent of Arreton/Bandon flagged axes of EBA III to MBA I (Peter Revill pers comm).  The fragment is broadly sub rectangular in plan with a wide, crescent shaped blade.  The cutting edge appears to be bevelled over two phases, suggesting that it has been sharpened.&…
Created on: Friday 8th December 2023
Last updated: Friday 8th December 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Oswestry', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DEV-4BD18B
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper-alloy Bronze Age probable spearhead tip fragment, or possibly an arrowhead fragment.  The fragment is sub triangular in plan, tapering towards the tip, the extreme end of which is missing.  The blade has a triangular centre ridge, being more pronounced on one side.  The edges of the blade are worn and the fragment is lightly corroded.  The triangular mid-rib suggests a date of 1500-1150 BC. Measurements: Length 20.7mm, Width (widest) 12.6mm, Weight 3.96g
Created on: Wednesday 15th November 2023
Last updated: Wednesday 3rd January 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-FD5A56
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy spearhead dating to the middle to late Bronze Age (c.1500-900 BC). The object consists of the spearhead tip only. It is sub-triangular in shape and tapers to a pointed tip; the base is broken. It has a prominent circular mid-rib from which protrudes a thin wing on either side. The object is solid through the centre. It has a smooth surface with a dark brown patina with some pitting. Dimensions: Length 43.5mm; width 10.9mm; thickness 6.6mm; weight 7.24g
Created on: Tuesday 25th July 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 1st August 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-1E0410
Object type: DAGGER
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy fragment of a blade, probably a dagger or rapier, dating to the late Bronze Age (c.1200-800 BC). The fragment is sub-rectangular in plan and has a shallow lentoid cross-section. At the mid point, the blade tapers towards the cutting edge at each side. Each end terminates with a break that is worn and patinated, which suggests it was broken in antiquity. The surface is smooth with a mid-green patina. Dimensions: Length 28.5mm; width 25.4mm; thickness at mid-point 6.4mm; weight 24.15g
Created on: Thursday 8th June 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 27th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WMID-78D9C3
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave dating circa 1500-1150 BC. The fragment consists of the crescentic cutting edge and lower blade. The upper body terminates in a worn and irregular break. The solid cross-section suggests the object is a palstave rather than a socketed axehead, although there is no evidence for a central casting seam on the side. All surfaces however are heavily worn with a green/brown coloured surface patina. For a more complete palstave discovered in Staffordshire see (WMID-9C1A13) and (WMID-F2F5ED) discovered in De…
Created on: Sunday 19th March 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 21st March 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-2EC68E
Object type: FLAT AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy flat axehead or axe chisel dating to the early Bronze Age (c.2300-2000 BC). The fragment is the haft end of the object and is sub-rectangular in shape with a curved butt. It is sub-triangular in profile that narrows towards the butt to create a thin end. The opposite end has a worn, straight break. It has a bright green patina with pitting on the surface. Dimensions: Length 58.5mm; width 20.9mm; weight 62.96g Similarly formed objects classed as a possible axe chisel are illustrated in Needham (2017: 60) under Class 3, axe chisels. Similarly, a compara…
Created on: Thursday 16th March 2023
Last updated: Friday 17th March 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WMID-A4EBBE
Object type: SCRAPER (TOOL)
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Neolithic to early Bronze Age flint end scraper, struck from a tertiary flake of dark grey flint, with invasive, semi abrupt, scaled retouch around three sides.  The flint measures 30.1 mm in length, 28.5 mm in width, 9.1 mm in width and weighs 7.2 grams. 
Created on: Monday 13th February 2023
Last updated: Wednesday 7th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WAW-A9C090
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A worn copper alloy (bronze) palstave of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1500-1100 BC). Possibly an Early Palstave of Group I (c. 1500-1100 BC). The palstave has triangular flanges that taper towards the straight butt. The stop ridges are slightly crescentic and are lower than the flanges. Beneath the stop ridges, there are what appear to be shield-shaped depressions on both faces. The blade flares from the stop ridge and ends in a curved, flared and asymmetrical cutting edge, likely asymmetrical due to damage. There are traces of casting ridges along both sides of the object. Schmidt and…
Created on: Wednesday 1st February 2023
Last updated: Monday 6th February 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WAW-B3704C
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy socketed axehead dating to the late Bronze Age period (c. 1000-800 BC). The axe has a rounded socket with a slight lip around the edge. There is a D-shaped loop just below the socket on one side only. There are three longitudinal ribs, spaced evenly one one face but more irregularly on the opposing face, extending approximately halfway down the face and then tapering out. A casting seam is visible along both sides. The axehead fans outwards towards the cutting edge. The cutting edge is curved and extensively chipped, as are the loop and so…
Created on: Thursday 15th December 2022
Last updated: Thursday 16th February 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WMID-0700DF
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper alloy spearhead of Late Bronze Age dating (c. 1000 BC to c. 800 BC).  The spearhead is in two joining fragments with patinated breaks.  The edges and tip of the blade are damaged. The centre of the blade is divided by a tapering (tip to base) lozenge shaped midrib. The midrib is damaged on one side. The cutting edge is incomplete and is bevelled. There doesn't appear to be evidence of use or sharpening on the surface.  The tip part measures 46.5 mm in length and is 15.4 mm wide at base and 4.2 mm wide at tip. …
Created on: Tuesday 13th September 2022
Last updated: Tuesday 13th September 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WAW-CFBA91
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete, copper alloy (bronze) spearhead, likely from the Middle Bronze Age (1450-1150 BC). There is a central rib running along the blade with a high profile and a lozenge shaped cross section that tapers towards the tip of the spear, which would mean that the fragment is likely from a Middle Bronze Age looped and socketed spearhead, similar to HESH-8E7894. The original blade would likely have been leaf-shaped. The blade has lost much of its cutting edge due to abrasion in the soil. "Similar looped spearheads have been classified by Margaret Ehrenberg as Class I…
Created on: Friday 5th August 2022
Last updated: Monday 5th September 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WMID-43C9D2
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An almost complete copper alloy unlooped palstave of Middle Bronze Age date (c. 1500-1300BC) with shield shaped hollow below the stop ridge. Early or primary palstave of Group I - shield patterned type. The palstave has a triangular shaped blade in plan. The palstave has a rectangular septum and straight-sided open flanges for hafting. The butt of the object is incomplete and measures 22.1 mm in width and 5.1 mm thick. Beneath the stop-ridge descends a shield shaped hollow, this is more visible on one side than the other. The blade of the palstave has expanding …
Created on: Tuesday 5th July 2022
Last updated: Thursday 15th September 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WMID-B938CA
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete palstave of Middle Bronze Age dating, probably of the Wantage type, part of Acton Park / Taunton phase, c 1400 - c. 1150 cal BC. Around 95% of the palstave is present, with the butt incomplete. The septum is straight and does not taper towards the butt. The flanges start off parallel to the stop ridge and taper in a straight diagonal line to the butt. The blade has straight sides as it expands towards a crescentic blade edge. The blade is longer than the butt. A shield design (trident variation) is present at the top of the blade, with one central ridge and two inward …
Created on: Wednesday 11th May 2022
Last updated: Wednesday 11th May 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HESH-131E12
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete cast copper alloy palstave of Middle Bronze Age dating to the period c.1500-1300 BC.  Group I mid rib, Acton Park II. Weight: 432gms,  Overall length: 147.76mm, Blade width, 68.26mm, Thickness: 33.08mm
Created on: Friday 26th November 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 21st March 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Pontesbury', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LVPL-E6796C
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
The cutting edge of a late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead dating to c.950-750 BC. The object is comprised of the cutting edge only, the rest of the object is missing. The fragment is sub-rectangular in shape with a wedged section that tapers to the cutting edge. The edge is worn and abraded. The imcomplete side of the object has a worn but straight cut revealing a grooved interior suggestive of a socketed axehead. The surface has a smooth dark brown patina with small patches of bright green corrosion. The fragmentary condition of the axe makes typological identific…
Created on: Friday 12th November 2021
Last updated: Wednesday 1st December 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wem', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LVPL-2D3369
Object type: RAPIER
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete, but in two parts, copper-alloy dirk or rapier dating from the Middle Bronze Age, c.1500-1300 BC. The butt is flat-topped and two large circular rivets remain in-situ which measure 8.13mm in diameter with hammered flattened ends. Originally, the dirk would have had an organic hilt/handle which has disintegrated in the ground, post-deposition. The butt then presents a notch on each side and flares to form the shoulders which are 66.9mm wide. From the shoulders, the blade narrows to have largely straight sides that are roughly 24mm in width. It has a shallow, lozenge-sha…
Created on: Friday 22nd October 2021
Last updated: Friday 5th November 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Knockin', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LVPL-4DA982
Object type: FLAT AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Complete copper alloy flat axe of Early Bronze Age date (c. 2200 - 1900 BC). This example fits best into the earliest known copper axe and early bronze axes discovered in Britain. These are dated to the Early Bronze Age of metalworking stage II, which corresponds to Needham's (1996) Period 2 circa 2350- 2050 CAL. BC. The flat axe is broadly sub triangular in plan with a splayed crescent shaped blade. The cutting edge has a width of 55mm and a thickness of 5mm. It is asymmetrical. From the cutting edge the body of the axe gradually narrows in shape and curves inwards. The axes gra…
Created on: Tuesday 24th August 2021
Last updated: Friday 3rd September 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Petton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LVPL-4D168B
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy unlooped palstave axehead of middle Bronze Age date (1500-1150 BC). The blade of the palstave has convex expanding sides, and a convex cutting edge. The cutting edge measures 46mm wide and has a thickness of 3mm and has a shallow edge bevel measuring 10mm in width. The cutting edge is blunt and abraded and is slightly asymmetrical. In profile the blade is sub-triangular with the thickest section being at the stop ridge. The blade appears undecorated with either a mid-rib or shield pattern, however the surface is heavily corroded which may be obscuring any …
Created on: Tuesday 24th August 2021
Last updated: Friday 27th August 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wem Rural', grid reference and parish protected.