BRONZE AGE SOCKETED AXEHEAD

-1150

A fragment of a miniature cast copper-alloy socketed axehead of Late Bronze Age date (c. 1150 BC-c. 800 BC). The fragment is the lower part of the blade, including the base of the socketed part. In plan, the sides are parallel and the cutting edge is slightly curved. In side view it has a 'V'-shaped profile. The base of the socket, at its lowest point, is about 12.8mm from the bottom centre of the cutting edge. There are no traces of casting seams. The inner and outer faces are pitted and corroded. The breaks are old and abraded. 19.9 x 22.9 x 7.1mm. Weight: 11.65g.A discussion on miniature socketed Bronze Age axes from Wiltshire is given in the the 'Wiltshire Archaeology & Natural History Magazine' (Simpson, P. 1995: 60-80, vol, 88).