ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

-100

A copper alloy miniature axe head of probable late Iron Age or Roman date (c. 100 BC - AD 410). The miniature is sub-rectangular in plan and triangular in profile. It is a Robinson Type II with an expanding, straight-sided profile. The axe head is socketed and features an incomplete semi-circular suspension loop. The loop would have originally extended from the lip of the axe 9.67mm along the length of the body. The socket hole is broadly ovular in shape and 8.58mm deep. The lip of the socket is slightly irregular.The miniature measures 20.78mm in length, 18.99mm maximum width, 14.55mm minimum width, 11.81mm maximum thickness (socket end), 2.01mm minimum width (blade end) and weighs 12.84g.Cf: Robinson, 1995, pp. 61 - 63. Although Robinson attributes most miniature axe heads to the late Iron Age and Roman periods, they can date to anywhere between the Late Bronze Age and late Roman period.