ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

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Roman copper alloy miniature object in the form of an Iron Age or Romano British socketed axehead. It is of Robinson's Type III with a drooping blade. Measures 19.25mm in length, 8.08mm in max.width (across the loop), 3.08mm in max thickness (centre of object) and weighs 2.23g.The socket end is oval and measures 5.22x2.63mm and has internal dimensions of 2.37x1.12mm. It is 0.50mm deep. The axehead widens and thickens from the socketed end to its max.width across the loop. The loop is an elongated C-shaped and has an oval piercing 2.65x1.06mm. To the other edge of the axe, the blade curves inwards, 'drooping'. The axe narrows from the centre (max.thickness) to the cutting edge, which is straight and 6.91mm wide and 1.31mm thick.This miniature axehead is unusual in that its condition is fresh, and its edges unworn. It has a smooth, shiny dark brown patina and some tooling marks are visible on both faces. It was probably lost/ ?deposited shortly after its manufacture.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.Robinson comments on this particular object that it is made from a pure metal, which accounts for the good patina, and that it has not been subjected to fertilizers in the soil. He thinks it is Roman in date.