IRON AGE AMULET

-150

A cast copper alloy miniature axehead amulet of Iron Age to Roman date. The axehead is wedge-shaped in profile with an expanding straight-sided profile and long blade. The object has a small, socketed mouth, with a single rounded mouth moulding. The depth of the socket cannot be estimated as it is blocked with soil. Just below the mouth, on one side there is an attachment loop, which is D-shaped with a central circular hole. From the socket the body of the axehead continues straight on before flaring out to form a pelta shape blade. The metal is a light brownish-green colour and is only slightly worn. The axehead is 44.5mm long, 32.1mm wide, 13.1mm thick and weighs 19.3g. The amulet resembles the Bronze Age miniature axes that were later copies in the Roman period ascribed by Robinson as Type IIa. But the style of the object and the patination on the surface would suggest a later Late Iron Age to Roman date. Also similarities with regional examples such as YORYM-8826A5 (but without the knops) would suggest this object is an amulet.Ref: Robinson 1995, Wiltshire Archaeology Magazine 88, p.60-68.