Record ID: DOR-CA6F71
Object type: BLADE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A section of copper alloy rapier or dirk blade. The object appears broken at both ends. The breaks are abraded and probably old. The blade is parallel sided with a tapered cutting edge on both sides. There is a high central rib on both faces giving a shallow lozengiform cross section. Date: Middle bronze Age - c. 1500 - 1150 BC Dimensions: 93.09 mm x 16.87 mm x 5.56 mm Weight: 35.60 g Peter Reavill (pers comm) has dated this to c 1500 - 1150 BC and suggests that it is from the lower part of the blade where the lozengiform cross section would give greater strength and rigidity.
Created on: Wednesday 3rd July 2019
Last updated: Thursday 4th July 2019
Spatial data recorded.

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Record ID: DOR-B3C8E0
Object type: ARMLET
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Description: A bent and twisted gold bracelet dating to the Middle Bronze Age c.1400-1100 cal BC. The bracelet is made from a single rectangular gold sheet that is crescent shaped in section with a convex outer surface and concave inner surface.  It was presumably originally curved into a penannular hoop without twists, however, it is now twisted into a spiral consisting of at three turns which is mostly flat in profile. Both ends of the strip end in clean transverse terminals which are slightly expanded. It is not clear whether these terminals represent the original length of …
Created on: Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Last updated: Friday 28th July 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Melcombe Horsey', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-92F9B4
Object type: HOARD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: City of Portsmouth
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A group of twelve palstaves in varying states of completeness (two are in two fragments) but all in a poor condition, possibly owing to their findspot environment being saline. The expanded and corroded nature of the finds in their current condition means that the measurements given below are at a considerable remove from their original condition/form and cannot be used in detailed metric analyses without extreme caution. Note: Thickness measurements are across the widest point (i.e. from bar stop to bar stop). 1. Looped palstave with narrow blade. Poor, corroded, condition, dar…
Created on: Monday 13th May 2019
Last updated: Thursday 16th May 2019
No spatial data available.

Record ID: DOR-2A5A13
Object type: HOARD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A gold working hoard dating to the Early Bronze Age consisting of a flat axe, gold bar ingot fragment and 8 pieces of scrap gold. These are discussed below. 1) An incomplete cast copper alloy flat axe or chisel of Early Bronze Age date (c. 2000 - 1700 BC). The axe probably best fits within the Migdale metalworking tradition The object is sub-trapezoidal in plan expanding from one broken terminal, marked by an irregular transverse break, down most of its length before narrowing again at an incomplete crescent blade edge. This blade is missing a chip at one of its wings, giving it a di…
Created on: Wednesday 8th May 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Melcombe Horsey', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-18B605
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper alloy palstave axehead of "Early midribbed Palstaves of Type Chepstow" type dating to c.1500 -1300 BC. The butt is rounded and the septum is thinner then the blade. The side flanges are low and increase in height from the butt to the stop ridges. On both faces the stop ridges are higher than the flanges. From the stop extends the rectangular cross sectioned blade. The blade tapers in the horizontal plane and is flaring in transverse plane. It termiates in a flared and curving cutting edge. It has a pronounced midrib running from the stop ridge to just before the edge on …
Created on: Thursday 25th April 2019
Last updated: Monday 13th May 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-A4BDE2
Object type: RAPIER
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of copper alloy blade, probably from a rapier or dirk. The tip only of the blade remains. The blade is double-edged and thin with a low mid-rib creating a narrow lentiod cross section at the break. The blade tapers from the horizontal break to the rounded end where it is damaged. Date: Bronze Age - Dimensions: 34.94 mm x 12.94 mm x 1.83 mm Weight: 3.08 g
Created on: Tuesday 26th March 2019
Last updated: Friday 29th March 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-7D9C3B
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of copper alloy palstave axehead. The tapering butt and partial side flanges only remaining.The surface has a patchy smooth brown patina with areas of spreading green corrosion. Date: Middle Bronze Age - 1600 - 1000 BC Dimensions 42.22 mm x 23.78 mm x 14.01 mm Weight: 40.33 g
Created on: Saturday 16th February 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 13th December 2022
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-7EBFDD
Object type: BRACELET
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Description:  The object appears to be made from a bar that was deliberately split and then hammered into flattened strands. The object is U-shaped in plan and comprises three integral sections. One consisting of extending arms, a rod shaped mid piece, and a warped flattened section. The bar has a rectangular cross section that is 4.3mm long, 4.0mm wide and 3.1mm thick. From one end of this bar the bar splits into four separate strands that each takes up half of two sides of the bar. Each strand narrows from this triangular profile to become flat being c. 3.6mm wide and c.1mm t…
Created on: Friday 23rd November 2018
Last updated: Monday 18th December 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Portesham', grid reference and parish protected.

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Record ID: DOR-31A8B7
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
The object is made from a rectangular sheet that would have been curled into a circular hoop. Only a portion of this hoop survives which has then been squashed slightly, but not flat. The strip has potentially been bent intentionally as part of its original design. This includes outer edges which are bent downwards and from which the body domes upwards before curving to another lower point at its middle. This gives the fragment the look of two rings placed above one another. The fragment retains its gold colour has occasional dents and no further decoration. Dimensions: The fragment …
Created on: Thursday 2nd August 2018
Last updated: Thursday 15th June 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Bradford Peverell', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-C403E1
Object type: DEBITAGE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Wiltshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A crude elongate plano-convex knife. Made on a large secondary flake of pale grey flint with off-white mottles. It retains a small area of abraded nodule cortex and there is iron staining along the flake ridges. There is a small bulb of percussion at the proximal end and numerous irregularly spaced waves of percussion on the ventral face. There are several large parallel flaking scars on the dorsal face. There is scalar retouch along both of the long edges and at the distal end. Along one side the retouch is semi abrupt and along the opposite edge the retouch is more invasive and prob…
Created on: Monday 16th July 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 17th July 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-9C4AB8
Object type: AWL
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast copper alloy awl. The the awl is sub-circular in cross-section and is faceted longitudinally. It tapers to a point at both ends. One end is slightly thicker than the other and is damaged and corroded. Date: Bronze Age - c. 2150 - 800 BC Dimensions: 47.62 mm x 6.62 mm Weight: 5.77g Plain copper alloy awls are hard to date precisely but ones of this form are known to have been introduced in the Bronze Age (2150-800 BC) with most being Late Bronze Age in date (1150-800 BC).
Created on: Monday 2nd July 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 3rd July 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-8EC519
Object type: KNIFE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete bronze socketed knife. It is slightly damaged at the tip of the blade. The hollow rectangular socket has convex long sides and flat short sides. It measures 16.36 mm x 21.82 mm with internal dimensions 11.66 mm x 16.18 mm. The socket is approximately 48 mm long inside and tapers slightly to the blade. There are two small circular attachment holes one in each of the long sides at the mid point towards the top of the socket ( 3.05 mm internal diameter). The blade is thinned from the end of the socket. It is short with a rounded terminal it has a slightly raised wide mid-rib. …
Created on: Monday 26th March 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 20th November 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Sturminster Marshall', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-FFCA9A
Object type: TORC
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Description: A fragment from a cast and then twisted gold bracelet, possibly repurposed into a ring dating to the Middle Bronze Age (c.1300 – 1100 cal BC). The object is made of a gold rod that has been bent into an oval shaped hoop whose two terminals overlap one another. The rod is rectangular in section (c.3.6mm wide and c.3.1mm thick) with slightly accentuated corners created by slightly concave edges. This rod has been twisted moderately (having 5 twists) across its length. Both terminals end in transverse breaks. Dimensions: The ring is 14.8mm long and 13.0mm wide. In it…
Created on: Wednesday 7th March 2018
Last updated: Friday 12th January 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Piddletrenthide', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-813231
Object type: HOARD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Potential Treasure case 2017 T1170 Middle Bronze Age hoard Date of Discovery: 18th November 2017 Circumstances of Find: Metal detector with permission of land owner. Date: Middle Bronze Age, Taunton phase (Ornament Horizon), c.1400-1300 BC Description: A group of two Bronze Age copper alloy objects: an elaborately (carefully) bent rapier blade with one rivet (not detached) and a looped palstave axehead. 1. Palstave. A copper alloy looped palstave (axehead) in fair condition (much soil still adhering to its surface and difficult, therefore, to make a full assessment)…
Created on: Wednesday 6th December 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 16th October 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Henstridge', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-80C84A
Object type: SHEET
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Swindon
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment from a gold bracelet dating to the Middle Bronze Age c.1400-1100 cal BC. The fragment is made from a single sheet that has parallel edges, is rectangular in cross section and has two narrows edges which end in transverse slightly ragged breaks. The sheet slightly downturns at one of these breaks and upturns at the other. The outer surface of the sheet has decoration consisting of 3 parallel grooves that run the length of the object taking up its entire width. This creates a design of four distinct ridges  The reverse is plain. The object is a bright gold colour and h…
Created on: Wednesday 6th December 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 2nd August 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Liddington', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-0BCB5D
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy looped palstave axehead. The cutting edge is crescentic with a slight flare at one edge. The butt us also slightly curved. The septum is rectangular with a deep stop ridge. The flanges are lozenge shaped, The blade tapers back to the stop ridge where there are two cast decorative ridges on each face forming a V-shape. On one side is a corroded curved side loop. The surfaces are corroded and pitted, obscuring any casting lines. Dimensions: 124.36 mm x 44.04 mm x 26.30 mm Date: Middle Bronze Age c. 1500 - 1300 The axehead probably fits into Needham's group III and t…
Created on: Tuesday 19th September 2017
Last updated: Monday 25th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-2A928E
Object type: RAPIER
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A incomplete cast copper-alloy rapier. At the butt is a small, narrowed tang with a rounded end. It does not appear to be broken. The blade is expanded from the hilt with angled shoulders and tapers towards the bent and broken opposite end. It has a lenticular profile and a low mid-rib on both faces. It has possibly been deliberately broken in antiquity. Date: Bronze Age c. 1600 - 1000 BC Dimensions: 141.65 mm x 19.68 mm x 4.05 mm Weight: 60.86 g
Created on: Tuesday 15th August 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 16th August 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-2A0940
Object type: GOUGE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy socketed gouge. The upper part and socket are circualr in cross section. The socket is 15.2 mm in internal diameter and approiimately 50 mm in depth. Around the socket is a thick, rounded collar. The gouge tapers slightly and becomes C-shaped in cross section towards the cutting edge. There is casting line along each side. The cutting edge is slightly lopsided, probably as a result of use wear. Date: Late Bronze Age - c. 1000 - 800 BC Dimensions: 73.71 mm x 22.88 mm x 3.81 mm Weight: 57.22 g A silmilar gouge is recorded in database record DUR-06F0E8 and date…
Created on: Tuesday 15th August 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 16th August 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-2D27D7
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
An incomplete small copper alloy socketed and side-looped spearhead. Part of the socket has been broken off and the tip pf the spearhead is missing. The blades are short and leaf-shaped. The hollow of the socket extends 46 mm into the the spear. It is circular and tapers towards the tip, becoming lozengiform in cross section as it develops into the solid mid-rib between the blades. There are two small, oval, pierced side loops set opposite each other part way along the socket. There are traces of casting lines along the sides of the spearhead running from above the side loops to the ba…
Created on: Thursday 3rd August 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 21st June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-4DC8EA
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy socketed axe. The socketed and and side loop remain bit the cutting edge is missing. The socket is square and the body of the axe tapers to a point just before the break where it beginds to flare slightly. The walls also thicken from the opening of the socket so that at the breack it is a small circular aperture in the rectangular cross-sectioned body. On one side is a long, longitudinal side loop with a clear casting line along it. The opposite face also retains a casting line. On the two wider faces there is cast decoration, each comprising two concentric t…
Created on: Tuesday 11th July 2017
Last updated: Friday 2nd December 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Milton Abbas', grid reference and parish protected.