BRONZE AGE MINIATURE OBJECT

-1500

A copper-alloy miniature axehead.The top of the axehead is parallel-sided and of sub-rectangular section, with rounded corners. The blade flares towards the straight 'cutting edge'. A 'D-sectioned' loop handle springs from the top edge of the axe, rejoining the side one third of the way down the blade. The artefact has a light green patina.Dimensions: 21.6mm long, up to 16.6mm wide (cutting edge) and 5.6mm thick at the top. Weight: 7.71g.According to Paul Robinson, "...[miniature axeheads] range in date from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Roman period" (Robinson 1995: 60). Although lacking any evidence of a socket, this piece is stylistically similar to Robinson's type I axe, the closest illustrated examples of which were found at Arras, Yorkshire, in a burial of the 2nd to 1st century BC; and at Lakenheath, Suffolk (casual find, in association with Roman objects).