ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

1

An incomplete Roman (AD 1-410) 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 I (with concave profile and short neck). The object measures 20.49mm in length, 13.61mm in max.width (above cutting edge), 5.88mm in max thickness ('socket' end) and weighs 3.9g.The 'socket' end is oval in cross-section (measuring 13.70x5.87mm, internal 8.82x2.48mm) and is 6.49mm deep.The axehead has concave sides, with a 1.84mm diameter piercing (almost worn through) to one side below the socket end.The cutting edge curves downwards from the widest point and has a worn jagged break at the centre.Reference: Robinson 1995, Wiltshire Archaeology Magazine 88, p.60-68, cf.10, 13. 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.