ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

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Roman copper alloy miniature object in the form of an Iron Age or Romano British socketed axehead with drooping blade. It is probably of Robinson's Type III - it has an only slightly drooping blade but is a well-made example. Measures 22mm in length and weighs 4.62g. Inclusive of loop, the max.width is 12.4mm.The socket end measures 5.8x9.2mm and has internal dimensions of 3.8x5.3mm. The axehead narrows to 8.5mm at the 'cutting' edge (which is 2.6mm thick).The loop is set close to the socket end, but partly within the body of the axehead. Its internal diameter is circular and 3.1mm.The miniature object is triangular in section, being thickest at the socket end and narrowing to the blade.Reference: Robinson 1995, Wiltshire Archaeology Magazine 88, p.60-68.Robinson dates the majority of the miniature axeheads to the Roman period, some being from Late Roman contexts. However some are known too from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age.