ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

-1150

A late Bronze Age to Roman (BC1150-410AD) cast copper alloy miniature socketed axehead of Robinson type II or III (Robinson, Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1995, p.60) with expanding straight sides. The blade is drooping. The profile is a blunted triangle. It measures 20.27 in length and the maximum width is 19.36mm. The maximum thickness is 10.97mm and at its thinnest point (the blade end 5.89mm) The internal measurements of the socket are 6.49mm wide, 5.82mm thick and 8.81mm deep. It weighs 13.51g.The C-shaped loop is cast to the side and integral to the axehead. The axehead has smooth shiny grey green patina.The dating of miniature axeheads is from the late Bronze to Roman, but they are more common from the Roman period . They functioned probably as an amulet or votive offering.