ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

-1150

A copper alloy miniature socketed and looped axehead dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Roman period (c. 1150 BC - AD 410) . The axehead has parallel vertical sides with an oval mouth and plain lip. It can be classified as Robinson's type IV. The side loop is set just below the mouth.Miniature socketed axeheads can be dated from the Late Bronze Age through to the late Roman period. They probably functioned as amulets or votive offerings. The majority are unstratified finds, therefore, it is difficult to give a precise date, hence the broad date range ascribed to this example. Similarly shaped examples have been found in Wiltshire and have been suggested as being of probable Roman date based on their proximity to other finds from that period.Cf. Robinson, P, 1995, p. 63 - 65, nos. 9 & 18 for similar examples.The axehead measures 14.10mm in length, 9.95mm in width and tapers from a thickness of 4.6mm at the socket to 1.7mm at the blade. The socket is 5.15mm in length, 2.35mm wide and 4.6mm deep. The loop is 4.95mm in diameter with a circular perforation. It weighs 2.42g.