ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

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Incomplete Roman copper alloy miniature object in the form of an Iron Age or Romano British socketed axehead, with a damaged cutting edge. It is of Robinson's Type IVb (with parallel sides and oblong in outline). Measures 20.24mm in length, 11.15mm in max.width (across the loop), 5.79mm in max thickness (socket end) and weighs 3.24g. The socket end is rectangular and measures 8.92x5.79mm with internal dimensions of 3.90x2.01mm. It is 3.84mm deep. The axehead is parallel sided, perhaps narrowing slightly at the socket. The loop consists of an irregular piercing 3.83x2.86mm in the body of the axe with a swelling to the outside edge. The cutting edge is 8.54mm wide and 1.31mm thick. Reference: Robinson 1995, Wiltshire Archaeology Magazine 88, p.60-68, cf.25, 28, 18. 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. Type IV miniature axeheads are frequently badly made and unfinished.