BRONZE AGE SOCKETED AXEHEAD

-1150

A fragment of Late Bronze Age (1150-800 BC) Socketed Axehead, consisting of the cutting edge only and broken just above the start of the socket on one face. It measures 30.45x18.20x(max)7.24mm and weighs 11.46g.The cutting edge is expanded and worn but apparently undamaged. Both faces are pitted and the shorter looks 'caved in' at the edge - conducive with a hammer blow. All breaks are old.The socket is rectangular in cross-section, and the fragment itself triangular in cross-section.While the axehead is rather small, it is difficult to say whether or not it is 'votive'. It may have just had a use as a small axehead. However the probable hammer blow could well be ritualistic - although it could equally represent the scrapping of metal, the hoards of which are so prevalent during the Ewart Park phase (1000-800 BC).Ben Roberts (British Museum) comments that although the form of the blade is different, it is similar to Miniature axeheads, which have a concentration in Wiltshire, and are datable from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman period.