File:AXE (FindID 1023960).jpg

 Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe of South Wales (Stogursey) type and of Ewart Park Metalworking Industry, dated to c. 1000-700BC 

The axehead is complete (with an overall length of 109.1mm and a weight of 253.36g). The mouth is sub-rectangular (50.2mm long and 40.6mm wide). The socket is rectangular (31mm wide, 37mm long and c.78.4mm deep).  The mouth moulding has a well-defined rectangular step (6.3-10.2mm long) with a prominent step to the face. The oval sectioned loop springs from the moulding (6.7mm wide, 7mm thick and 30.4mm long), enclosing a D-shaped loop (16mm long by 9.2mm wide). The sides are gently concave with a minimum width below the loop (40.0mm) before widening to a moderately expanded blade edge (54.6mm). The blade edge survives in places, with some damage in the centre showing bronze corrosion (making the edge look flatter), and gently curves out to the blade tips. There are a series of nicks at the blade edge, mostly in the central area beneath the patina. One side has some damage, which has cut through the patina, particularly on one edge. The casting seams are prominent and raised (up to 2mm high) but have been neatly finished. The sides are slightly bevelled towards the central seam but are comparatively straight for the type, producing a near-rectangular body section. Both faces are decorated with three near-parallel ribs, which extend over half the length of the face (for 65mm). The ribs are even and neatly cast, but damaged beneath the patina on both faces. The faces are gently convex across both their lengths and widths and there are no blade facets. There is the suggestion of sharpening striations running off the blade. The axe has a black patination, probably of tenorite, as observed on other contemporary axes.