Record ID: BH-E49DD8
Object type: ARROWHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper-alloy barbed and tanged arrowhead dating to the Middle to Late Bronze Age c. 1600-800 BC. The arrowhead is broadly triangular, flat and lentoid in cross-section. The piece is broadly symmetrical with a broken tip, two broken barbs and between these a broken tang. The edges of the blade are bevelled with unevenly worn blades. The tip of the blade is broken. The patina across the object is light brown. There are some areas of lamination, these being darker brown in colour. The arrowhead measures 27.9mm long, 25.4mm wide, 1.8mm thic…
Created on: Monday 22nd January 2024
Last updated: Friday 9th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: OXON-683031
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
A complete Middle Bronze Age palstave axe of the Group 3 type dating to c. 1400 – 1150 cal BC. The butt of the axe is c.15.4mm wide, c.3.4mm thick and is slightly worn giving it an uneven slightly convex shape.. The septum measures c. 48.8mm in length. The flanges of this axe begin just after the butt and widen in a slightly convex line up the length of the septum. After this point, in side profile, the blade sides narrows in a slightly convex curve towards the cutting edge.  The blade is decorated beneath the stop by a trident pattern created…
Created on: Wednesday 12th April 2023
Last updated: Tuesday 18th April 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-B3DE91
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy Finger Ring of probable Middle Bronze age date (1500-1150 BC). The spiral is circular in plan and formed of one overlapping coil which is ovate in cross-section with both terminals being blunt. The metal is dark green in colour with a slightly pitted patina. Height: 13.94mm, Diameter: 22.10mm, Thickness: 3.55mm, Weight: 11.2g See also LEIC-84CFF2, HAMP-7556B3 and SF-4497E7. There are also examples of comparable spiraloid rings in the Near Lewes hoard (SUSS-C5D042) and the Ockham hoard (SUR-B41DB6), both Middle Bronze Age in date.
Created on: Wednesday 22nd March 2023
Last updated: Thursday 23rd March 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-399776
Object type: MINIATURE OBJECT
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy miniature Socketed Axehead/Chisel of Late Bronze Age date (1000 - 800 BC). The object is composed of the blade end of a miniature axehead, there is a transverse break resulting in the loss of the majority of the object and the socket/loop. The blade is flared and the visible inner portion is hollow. The upper and lower edges retain linear casting seams. Length: 20.84mm, Width: 23.66mm, Thickness: 7.77mm, Weight: 10.0g The metal is dark brown in colour with a slightly pitted patina. LANCUM-70715D notes: Miniature socketed axeheads that imitate functi…
Created on: Monday 20th February 2023
Last updated: Friday 3rd March 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-5857EF
Object type: HOARD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Description of Objects: The hoard consists of 33 objects. This includes five axes, all South-Eastern types of the late Bronze Age Ewart Park metalworking phase of c. 1000-800 BC: one Variant Bilton axe, one rectangular socketed axe and three other South-Eastern varieties. There are, in addition, two copper-alloy fragments from objects of uncertain function and 26 copper-alloy ingot fragments of the same date. The assemblage was found in two separate but probably connected groups over an area of approximately 30 metres, a catalogue of which follows below. Group 1 Axe 1. A near complet…
Created on: Wednesday 5th January 2022
Last updated: Monday 19th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-645475
Object type: BLADE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper alloy Blade, Dagger or Rapier, of Mid to Late Bronze Age date (1600-800 BC). The object is rectangular in plan and a pointed oval in cross section. There is visible bevel along the left and right hand edges away from the mid-rib. The metal is a dark brown in colour with a predominantly patina. Length: 27.25mm, Width: 26.06mm, Thickness: 7.01mm, Weight: 20.8g
Created on: Tuesday 30th November 2021
Last updated: Friday 10th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-6437BE
Object type: AWL
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper-alloy Awl of probable late Bronze Age date (1150-800 BC). The awl is square in cross section along most of its length, and tapers to a rounded point at one terminal. At the other terminal it flattens to become rectangular, before ending in a chisel-shaped terminal. Length: 65.07mm, Width: 5.69mm, Thickness: 5.00mm, Weight: 7.0g The metal is dark brown in colour with a predominantly smooth patina. Cf. OXON-C4D536 on the database which states: Awls were a range of rod-like tools that were usually round sectioned and pointed at one end, and rectangular se…
Created on: Tuesday 30th November 2021
Last updated: Friday 10th December 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NARC-8E2968
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a cast copper alloy spearhead, of Middle to Late Bronze Age date (1200-800 BC). The blade is narrow and triangular with a pronounced mid rib on both sides extending to the tip of the spear which tapers in to a point. In cross section the object is lozenge. The edges narrow and flare out from the mid-rib. There are multiple abrasions and missing portions of the edges. The fragment terminated in an old abraded transverse break. The socketed lower portion of the object is missing and the retained portions has a shallow concave aspect expose by the break. The meta…
Created on: Monday 25th March 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 24th March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BUC-51208A
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper alloy spearhead, dating to the middle or late Bronze Age (1200-800BC). Only the tip of the spearhead remains, which is triangular in shape, and lozenge in cross section with a worn midrib. The break is worn. An insufficient amount of the spear remains to prove diagnostic, therefore a specific type cannot be attributed. The tip has a light green patina. The fragment measures 19.6mm in length, 8.2mm in width, and 4.9mm in thickness. It weighs 1.44g.
Created on: Friday 24th March 2017
Last updated: Friday 14th April 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-1A5AD6
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of the tip of a copper-alloy socketed spearhead dating to the Bronze Age. The fragment measures 54mm in length, a maximum of 18mm in width and 9mm in thickness.
Created on: Monday 13th February 2017
Last updated: Thursday 1st June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-FFC487
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a Middle to Late Bronze Age socketed spearhead. The piece represents the tip of the spearhead, the remainder having been lost in antiquity. A conical void extends almost to the tip, creating a pronounced mid-rib on both sides. Either side of this mid-rib, the thickness tapers towards the straight edges. Patches of brownish-green patination survive, but most of the surface is heavily corroded. Length: 50.4mm; width: 19.5mm; thickness: 9.3mm. Weight: 12.19g.
Created on: Monday 22nd September 2014
Last updated: Monday 5th June 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Woburn', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-872B71
Object type: CASTING WASTE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Copper-alloy casting waste of probable Bronze Age date. The artefact is sub-conical, with a flattish upper surface and slightly convex, irregular sides. The point is flattened, probably as a result of having been cut away from the cast implement. Dimensions: diameter: 25.3mm; height: 13.9mm. Weight: 22.25g. Examples of similar casting jets have been found in hoards of Middle to Late Bronze Age metalwork (see, for example, 2006 T36, from Devon). Such pieces represent a plug of waste copper-alloy which is created when casting socketed implements, such as axes, in two-piece moulds.
Created on: Friday 31st May 2013
Last updated: Friday 31st May 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Streatley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-1EC018
Object type: ARMLET
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
Description A crumpled and torn fragment of sheet gold with engraved geometric decoration comprising three bands of double zigzags separated by two plain zones; the zones are each bounded by three longitudinal engraved lines and the edges by four. The decoration is well executed. Two straight edges are present and these appear to be parallel. Maximum dimensions: Length 25.5mm; Width 12.2mm; Thickness 0.1mm; Weight 1.35 grams. The width when intact would be approximately 22mm. Analysis: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of a fragment of sheet gold ornament wi…
Created on: Friday 8th June 2012
Last updated: Tuesday 5th December 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-7A3033
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy palstave axe of Middle Bronze Age date. From the damaged butt, the width of the palstave gradually widens towards the cutting edge. The slightly damaged flanges are prominent, as is the crescentic stop ridge, the combination of the two elements creating a deeply recessed septum. At the centre of each of the two wider faces there is a vertical rib, extending downwards from the stop ridge and gradually petering out at its lower end. The sides of the blade flare outwards at the bottom, where there is a crescentic cutting edge of tapering thickness. A vertical casting fla…
Created on: Thursday 1st December 2011
Last updated: Friday 2nd December 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Chalgrave', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-30DD24
Object type: SOCKETED AXEHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a Late Bronze Age socketed axehead. The piece represents the lower part of the blade, including the cutting edge. The axe is hollow, increasing in width, but decreasing in thickness, towards the convex cutting edge. The artefact has a bright green patina and is heavily corroded, particularly around the edges, where there is a powdery white corrosion product. A central casting flash, visible on each of the two narrower faces, indicates that the artefact was produced in a two-piece mould. The object measures 34.5mm long, 50.6mm wide and up to 17.6mm thick. The weight is 82.06g.
Created on: Friday 29th January 2010
Last updated: Monday 5th December 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ampthill', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-22B835
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a copper-alloy spearhead of Middle to Late Bronze Age date. The piece consists of the tip section. It is narrow, tapering gradually towards the point. Extending down the centre of each side is a pronounced ridge. The surfaces of the artefact have a dark orangey-brown corrosion product and are pitted in places. The patination of the break suggests it occurred in antiquity. The piece measures 45.2mm long, 14.3mm wide and 6.4mm thick. The weight is 9.31g.
Created on: Monday 4th January 2010
Last updated: Tuesday 6th June 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Biggleswade', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C6DC45
Object type: AWL
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy awl of probable Bronze Age date. The widest point of the tool is at the centre; from here it tapers outwards in both directions. One side is of sub-square section and terminates in a curved point; the other side is of thinner, rectangular section and has a wedge-like end. The artefact measures 48.9mm long, up to 4.8mm wide and 4.3mm thick (at the middle). The weight is 3.79g.
Created on: Monday 19th October 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Houghton Conquest', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-BE3C94
Object type: PALSTAVE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy palstave of Late Bronze Age date. This piece was probably made around 800 BC, as part of the Carp's Tongue Complex within the Ewart Park phase of metalwork (equivalent to Needham's Phase 7). The artefact is sub-rectangular in plan, the width expanding slightly towards the end of the blade and at the attachment end. The blade is short, most of the surfaces being occupied by the socket, which on each side takes the form of two flanges overhanging a recessed strip. Contained within the socket are traces of a dark blue residue which may be a corrosion product resulting f…
Created on: Wednesday 19th August 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Houghton Conquest', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-2D1DE1
Object type: AWL
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy awl of probable Bronze Age date. The artefact is of rectangular section, tapering outwards from a cental ridge. On one side of this ridge the corners are sharp and the wider surfaces angle downwards at the end, terminating in a blunt point; the other half has more rounded corners and ends in a narrower, slightly bent point. The object measures 41mm long, up to 5.4mm wide and 4.9mm thick (at the centre). The weight is 3.91g.
Created on: Friday 31st July 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Stanbridge', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C79921
Object type: KNIFE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy tanged knife of middle to late Bronze Age date. A similar, but larger example, is illustrated by A. Macgregor (1987; pp. 110; no. 11.72), who states that knives cut from larger pieces are relatively common in this period. In this case, however, there is no evidence to suggest that the implement has been formed from a larger object. The unusually small implement has a tang which is slightly narrower than the blade. At the centre of the broken top edge is a remnant of a rivet hole. The blade is sub-triangular in plan, the sides taper gradually towards the ro…
Created on: Saturday 5th May 2007
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Eaton Bray', grid reference and parish protected.