File:Bronze Age hoard, as brought in by finder (FindID 176082-287298).jpg

English: Treasure case: 2006 T308

Circumstances of discovery

A total of 161 cu-alloy fragments (mainly spearhead fragments) including, to some extent, organic remains of hafting devices, were found using a metal detector in the parish of Stixwould and Woodhall, Lincolnshire, between 5th February and November 2006. The artefacts were found in two caches in close proximity to each other. No archaeologist was called to the site before hoards were lifted; all objects were dug out of context and later reassembled by finders and FLO (Hoards A1-123, B1-12 and C1-26). The find was reported to and deposited with Adam Daubney, FLO (Lincolnshire County Council).

The findspot was found to be on ploughed land. Addendum: 26 additional bronze fragments were deposited with the British Museum on 15th of December 2006. For identification purposes, they were given the ID numbers C1-26.

NB. Due to the bronzes being caked in mud at the time of study observations of certain surface details, e.g. striations close to the cutting edge and marks of use/wear/resharpening must remain doubtful until further analysis can be carried out (after cleaning/conservation).

Description

Cache A (A1-A123)

Organic material. Approx. 6-7 fairly large pieces of wood, the largest being 115mm x 35mm x 20mm. Unlikely to be part of hilt, etc, but possibly wood from inside of hollow spearhead or part of container?

1. Spearhead (A1). Small fragment of midrib and part of wing. Bevelled edge, blunt, showing no marks of wear at all. Possibly from flame-shaped blade. L: 35mm W: 14mm H: 11mm

2. Spearhead (A2). Small fragment of midrib and part of wing. Bevelled edge. L: 50mm W: 9mm H: 8mm

3. Spearhead (A3), two fragments. Large part of lower end of socket with wooden haft inside. L: 30mm

4. Spearhead (A4). Large part of lower end of socket with part of wooden haft inside. Thick-walled (1-2mm) with large eye-shaped dent of about 15x5mm near lower end of break. L: 35-50mm Diameter (inner-outer): 13-17mm

5. Spearhead (A5). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with (?)remains of wooden haft still inside. Probably solid blade, not hollow. Circular socket and defined midrib. Edges of blade chipped. L: 71mm W: 27 H: 12mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 10-12mm

6. Spearhead (A6). Large part of socket with wooden haft inside. Approximately 5mm of blade remain on either side of the socket, but they look worn and nicked. Midrib not well-defined. L: 45mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 16-19mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 12-14mm

7. Spearhead (A7). Large fragment of upper part of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Remains of wooden haft still inside. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled and showing marks of wear (cuts, nicks). L: 66mm W: 21mm H: 12mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 9-12mm

8. Spearhead (A8). Large fragment of upper part of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Remains of wooden haft still inside. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled and showing marks of heavy wear (cuts, nicks, tears). Lower part of the socket showing deep, almost flattening dent which may be either impact damage or stem from the process of breaking up the blade(?). L: 82mm W: 30mm H: 19mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 7-10mm

9. Spearhead (A9). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Remains of wooden haft still inside. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, not showing much wear. Object is slightly bent and there may be impact damage in the lower part of the socket, possibly a dent. L: 88mm W: 33mm H: 10mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 8-10mm

10. Spearhead (A10). Upper half of blade with wooden haft inside. Long, narrow blade with clearly bevelled edges. Edges badly nicked. L: 137mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 10-12mm W (blade): 31mm

11. Spearhead (A11). Upper half of blade with remains of wooden haft still inside. Small tip fragment missing. Long narrow, flame/leaf-shaped blade with possibly hollow(?) wings. The edges are bevelled and, where undamaged, comparatively sharp. L: 113mm W: 36mm H: 15mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 11-14mm

12. Spearhead (A12). Socket and lower half of leaf-shaped, blade with wooden haft in-side. Socket thick-walled. Blade has bevelled edges which display damage (two deep W-shaped- and several small V-shaped nicks along the outer edge). Two small circular rivet holes (3-4mm?) approximately half-way between blade and socket end. L: 78-86mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 33-38mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 13-16mm W (blade, top): 33mm

13. Spearhead (A13). Lower end of socket with remains(?) of haft inside. Very long, ta-pering socket with lower end of the leaf-shaped blade still visible. Two circular rivet holes (Diameter: 5mm) placed opposite each other, approximately half-way between the lower end of the blade and the end of the socket. L: 92mm W (at top): 33mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 26-30mm Diameter (top, in-ner-outer): 13-16mm

14. Spearhead (A14). Large fragment of central part with remains of haft inside. Edge of blade bevelled and showing clear signs of wear (cuts and nicks). L: 95mm W (at top): 34mm Diameter (bottom, inner-outer): 12-14mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 10-13mm

15. Spearhead (A15). Complete except for tip, with remains of haft inside. Short socket with two rivet holes approx. 6mm from opening on opposite sides of socket. Blade leaf-shaped and edges bevelled with a number of nicks and cuts showing wear. L: 115mm W (top): 23mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 19-24mm Diameter (top, in-ner-outer): 8-10mm

16. Sword (A16). Large fragment of sword blade. Blade is slightly bent and has a bev-elled edge that shows signs of wear and damage (nicks and cuts). Blade is flat/oval in cross-section. L: 183mm W (top): 35mm W (centre): 45mm W (bottom): 37mm H: 5mm

17. Spearhead (A17). Large fragment with part of blade and socket remaining; wood in-side hilt only fragmentary due to lateral breakage. Blade leaf-shaped, hollow and edge bevelled with only a small number of nicks. Socket and blade thin-walled (1mm). L: 100-109mm W (top): 48mm H (top): 15mm

18. Ferrule (A18). Almost complete ferrule with flat bottom and almost cylindrical body, part of the organic hilt still inside. Object thin-walled (approx. 0.5mm), surface cracked, but not broken. Object A19 adhering to lower part of ferrule. L: 194mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 14-15mm Diameter (bottom): 32mm

19. Domed object (A19). Slightly damaged dome-shaped object, very thin-walled (less than 0.5mm). Object adheres to ferrule (A18), with organic material between them. Pos-sibly button similar to objects A32 and A64. Diameter: 26mm H: 11mm

20. Six sword fragments (A20.1-A20.6). 1. A20.1. Tang and upper part of hilt; one corner of tang missing. Joins with A20.2. and A20.3. Fin-shaped tang. Hilt broken off at upper rivet hole, rivet miss-ing. Upper end of two hafting ribs, one on either side of the rivet hole between rivet hole and edge of hilt. L: 35mm W (lower): 19mm W (tang): 28mm H: 5mm Diameter (rivet hole): 4mm 2. A20.2. Central part of hilt. Joins with A20.1. and A20.3. Breaks at upper and lower rivet hole; central rivet hole intact, rivet still in place. Two hafting ribs, one on either side of the rivet holes between rivet hole and edge of hilt. L: 24mm, W (upper): 19mm W (lower): 24mm H: 5mm L (rivet): 17mm Diameter (rivet hole): 4mm Diameter (rivet): 2mm 3. A20.3. Lower part of hilt and part of blade. Joins with A20.1. and A20.2. Break at lower rivet hole. Four rivet holes, two at each shoulder (plus remains of one rivet) still in place. Second break occurred just below the shoulders. Defined mid-rib which tapers towards central area of hilt. Fragment very worn. L: 77mm W (hilt): 24mm W (shoulders): 42mm W (blade): 26mm H (hilt): 6mm H (centre): 6mm H (blade): 6mm Diameter (rivet hole): 4mm Diameter (rivet): 2mm 4. A20.4. Sword blade fragment. Flat lenticular cross-section with tapering sides. Edges badly worn. Blade slightly bent showing start of another break and display-ing cracked and damaged surface in lower part. L: 111mm W (top): 30mm W (bottom): 26mm H (top): 5mm H (bottom): 5mm 5. A20.5. Sword blade fragment. Flat lenticular cross-section with tapering sides. Edges badly torn with fragments missing. Blade slightly bent. L: 70mm W (top): 22mm W (bottom): 26mm H (top): 6mm H (bottom): 6mm 6. A20.6. Small sword blade tip fragment. Flat lenticular cross-section with taper-ing sides and lower end. L: 49mm W (top): 25mm W (bottom): 9mm H (top): 4.5mm H (bottom): 3.5mm

21. Spearhead (A21). Large fragment of flame-shaped blade with wings and upper part of socket, tip missing. One surface almost completely missing. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled and showing marks of wear (cuts, nicks) and still quite sharp where undamaged. Surface cracked; metal of blade and part of socket very thin (less than 0.5mm in places) L: 135mm W (bottom): 22mm W (top): 22mm W (greatest): 44mm H: 12mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 19.5-22mm

22. Spearhead (A22). Small blade/midrib fragment of central part of the spearhead, frag-ments of hilt remaining inside socket. Object thin-walled (less than 1mm). Blade hollow. L: 30mm W: 28mm

23. Organic haft of spearhead (A23). Four fragments of the wooden haft of a spearhead, most likely from the inside of one of the hollow blades. No remains of cu-alloy except for traces. Four fragments: 22x20mm, 25x15mm, 27x6mm, 9x17mm.

24. Sword (A24). Very small sword blade fragment, probably from towards the tip. Len-ticular cross-section. Edges and surface very worn. L: 35mm W: 19mm

25. Spearhead (A25). Two blade fragments of one or two spearheads; fragments joined by organic material, probably wood. Metal fragments probably from part of the blade of a hollow spearhead (1mm thick). L: 30mm W: 25mm H: 14mm

26. Two cu-alloy fragments (A26). Two very thin cu-alloy fragments, one of them deco-rated with thin rib. Possibly part of the hollow socket/blade of spearhead. L: 33mm W: 15mm / L: 24mm W: 11mm

27. Spearhead (A27). Fragment of wing and part of midrib of flame-shaped spearhead. Hollow wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Bevelled edge showing wear (cuts and nicks). L: 36mm W: 15mm

28. Spearhead (A28). Fragment of wing and lower part of midrib/socket of flame-shaped spearhead. Hollow wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Bevelled edge. L: 43mm W: 19mm

29. Spearhead (A29). Large fragment of blade of flame-shaped spearhead, part of the wooden hilt still remaining inside. Hollow wings all the way through, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edge bevelled and showing much wear (cuts, dents, tears). L: 110mm W (bottom): 37mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 9-12mm

30. Spearhead (A30). Long fragment of wing and one half of midrib, including tip. Hol-low wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib with two thinner decorative ribs run-ning alongside it. Edges bevelled, showing some wear (cuts, dents). L: 82mm W: 16mm H: 9mm

31. Spearhead (A31). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, showing some wear (cuts, dents). L: 65mm W (bottom): 26mm H: 12mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 10-12mm

32. Button (A32). Button, complete except for outer edge. Dome-shaped top with semi-circular loop on reverse. Similar to objects no. A19 and A64. Diameter (remaining): 19x12mm H: 12mm

33. Spearhead (A33). Upper half of blade of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled and not showing much wear. L: 52mm W (bottom): 32mm W (top): 13mm H: 14mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 12-14mm

34. Spearhead (A34). Small fragment of uppermost part of blade, tip missing. Solid tip but hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled. Socket slightly off-centre. L: 44mm W (bottom): 20mm W (top): 10mm H: 10mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 5-10mm

35. Sword(?) (A35). Sword blade fragment from near the tip. Very worn. Bevelled edge showing wear (cuts, tears). Flat-lenticular cross-section(?). L: 42mm W: 29mm H: 5mm

36. Sword (A36). Small sword hilt fragment, broken at rivet holes. L: 26mm H: 2mm W (top): 14mm W (bottom): 19mm Diameter (rivet holes): 8mm

37. Spearhead (A37). Small fragment of one side of midsection of socket. Remains of wooden haft inside. L: 28mm W: 15mm

38. Spearhead (A53). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with socket, tip and much of the wings missing. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, and extremely worn. L: 75mm W: 23mm H: 11mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 9.5-11mm

39. Spearhead (A39). Large blade fragment of leaf-/flame-shaped spearhead, tip missing. Wings comparatively narrow while circular socket has large diameter. Well-defined mid-rib. Edge bevelled and showing much wear (nicks, cuts). Metal very thin (less than 0.5mm in places). L: 98mm W (bottom): 32mm W (top): 23mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 15.5-17mm

40. Spearhead (A40). Small blade/midrib fragment of leaf-shaped spearhead. Edge bev-elled, wings hollow. L: 27mm W: 25mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 8-12mm

41. Spearhead (A41). Blade fragment of leaf-shaped spearhead, tip missing. Fragments of wooden haft remaining inside socket. Well-defined midrib. Metal very thin (less than 0.5mm in places). L: 62mm W (bottom): 18mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 9-11mm

42. Spearhead (A42). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip broken off recently. Probably hollow wings and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, not show-ing much wear (cuts, dents). L: 60mm W: 22mm H: 9mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 6-9mm

43. Spearhead (A43). Tip and blade fragment of leaf-/flame-shaped spearhead. Socket of oval cross-section and slightly squashed; midrib well-defined. Edge bevelled and show-ing much wear (nicks, cuts). L: 51mm W (bottom): 28mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 7-9mm

44. Spearhead (A44). Small fragment of tip, probably of hollow blade. L: 20mm W: 15mm

45. Spearhead (A45). Small fragment of uppermost part of blade, tip missing. Solid tip but hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled. L: 43mm W: 16mm H: 10mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 5-10mm

46. Spearhead (A46). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib with thin ribs running alongside it on either side. Edges bevelled, also showing wear. L: 52mm W: 24mm H: 12mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 7-12mm

47. Spearhead (A47). Small fragment of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, not show-ing much wear. Object is slightly bent. L: 40mm W: 28mm H: 10mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 8-10mm

48. Spearhead (A48). Small fragment of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, not show-ing much wear. L: 20mm W: 20.5mm H: 8mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 6-8mm

49. Spearhead (A49). Small fragment of uppermost part of blade, tip missing. Solid tip but hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled. L: 29mm W: 17mm H: 10mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 8.5-10mm

50. Spearhead (A50). Upper half of blade with remains of wooden haft still inside, tip missing. Long narrow, flame/leaf-shaped blade with possibly hollow(?) wings and a clearly defined midrib. The edges are bevelled and, where undamaged, comparatively sharp. Socket squashed in lower part. L: 73mm W: 26mm H: 9mm

51. Spearhead (A51). Large fragment of one side of leaf-shaped blade. Solid wing, circu-lar socket and well-defined midrib. Edge bevelled, showing wear (cuts, dents). L: 69mm W: 20mm H: 9mm

52. Spearhead (A52). Small fragment of socket/midrib. Curved. L: 25mm W: 11.5mm

53. Spearhead (A53). Upper half of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, showing wear (cuts, dents). Object is slightly bent and cracked in the centre, probably the start of an-other break which was not completed. L: 41mm W: 21mm H: 9mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 5-9mm

54. Spearhead (A54). Small fragment of leaf-shaped blade with wings and socket, tip missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, not show-ing traces of wear. L: 37mm W: 18mm H: 7mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 4.5-7mm

55. Spearhead (A55). Fragment of tip, probably of flame-shaped blade. Narrow sides. Defined midrib and bevelled edges. L: 53mm W: 17mm H: 10mm

56. Spearhead (A56). Fragment of wing and part of midrib. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib with thin decorative rib running alongside it. Edge missing. L: 36mm W: 21mm

57. Spearhead (A57). Small socket fragment. Curved. L: 25mm W: 17mm

58. Spearhead (A58). Very small tip fragment. Solid top, socket in lower part. L: 10mm W (top): 12mm W (bottom): 12mm

59. Spearhead (A59). Fragment of wings and part of midrib of flame-shaped spearhead. Hollow wings in lower and solid in upper part, circular socket and well-defined midrib with decorative ribs running alongside it. Edge showing wear and damage. L: 46mm W (bottom): 13mm W (top): 13mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 10-11mm

60. Spearhead (A60). Fragment of blade, tip missing. Solid wings, circular, well defined midrib and bevelled edge. L: 44mm W: 23mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 6-10mm

61. Spearhead (A61). Fragment of wing and part of midrib. Hollow wing in lower and solid in upper part, circular socket and well-defined midrib with decorative rib running alongside it. Edge missing. The socket seems off-centre and the object may have been miscast. L: 38mm W: 15mm

62. Spearhead (A62). Fragment of wing and part of midrib of flame-shaped spearhead. Hollow wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Bevelled edge showing wear (cuts and nicks). L: 35mm W: 15mm

63. Spearhead (A63). Fragment of wing and part of midrib of flame-shaped spearhead. Hollow wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Bevelled edge showing some wear. L: 32mm W: 14mm

64. Button (A64). Complete except for 1/3 of outer edge. Dome-shaped top with semicir-cular loop on reverse. Similar to objects no. A19 and A32. Diameter (remaining): 28mm H: 13mm

65. Awl(?). Small socket and wood fragments and centre fragment of awl(?). Possibly fragments of two tools: tanged, collared awl (bent) and a smaller socketed tool. Awl: L: 38mm; socketed tool: three very small fragments of cu-alloy socket of smaller tool: 7x7mm; 7x6mm; 7x9mm.

66. Spearhead (A66). Lower end of socket with remains(?) of haft inside. Long, thin-walled (1-1.5mm) slightly tapering socket. L: 32-38mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 17-19mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 15-17.5mm

67. Spearhead (A67). Lower end of socket with remains(?) of haft inside. Short, tapering, thin-walled (1mm) socket with large diameter at bottom. Small part of lower end of blade visible. Two circular rivet holes (Diameter: 5mm) placed opposite each other just below the lower end of the blade. L: 21-37mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 22-25mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 15-17mm

68. Spearhead (A68). Large blade fragment of flame-shaped spearhead, upper part slightly bent, tip missing. Hollow wings all the way through, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edge bevelled and showing almost no wear at all. Metal very thin (less than 0.5mm in places). L: 74mm W (bottom): 33mm W (top): 15mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 12.5-13.5mm

69. Spearhead (A69). Large part of socket with remains of haft inside. Long, only very slightly tapering, thick-walled socket (2mm). L: 50-57mm Diameter (lower end, inner-outer): 19-21mm Diameter (upper end, inner-outer): 16-19mm

70. Spearhead (A70). Large blade fragment from central part of blade with part of the wooden haft remaining inside socket. Blade hollow and leaf-shaped. Edge bevelled and showing signs of impact damage. Small rib running alongside midrib on either side. L: 65mm W (upper end): 32mm W (lower end): 48mm H (socket, inner-outer): 13-17mm H (top, inner-outer): 10.5-12mm

71. Spearhead (A71). Lower end of socket with remains of haft inside. Short, tapering, somewhat thin-walled (1-1.5mm) socket. Two circular rivet holes (Diameter: 5mm) placed opposite each other just below the lower end of the blade, approximately half-way between what remains of the blade and end of socket. L: 45-48mm W (blade): 28mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 21-24mm Diameter (up-per end, inner-outer): 15-18mm

72. Spearhead (A72). Lower end of the socket with remains of haft inside. Long, taper-ing, comparatively thick-walled (2mm) socket. Two circular rivet holes placed opposite each other, just below the break. Wooden rivet intact. L: 39-44mm L (rivet): 22.5mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 25-29mm Diameter (up-per end, inner-outer): 17-20mm

73. Spearhead(?) (A73). Lower end of the socket with remains of haft inside. Long, al-most cylindrical socket with approximately 50% of the two rivet holes remaining. L: 53-60mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 15.5-17mm Diameter (bottom, inner-outer): 15-17mm

74. Spearhead (A74). Large blade fragment midsection. Hollow wings all the way through, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edge bevelled and showing wear. Socket slightly off-centre and metal very thin (less than 0.5mm in places). L: 49mm W (bottom): 33mm W (top): 29mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 14-16mm

75. Spearhead (A975). Large blade/socket fragment of central part of the blade, part of haft remaining inside socket. Blade hollow and leaf-shaped with bevelled edge. L: 60mm W (bottom): 42mm W (top): 35mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 10-13mm

76. Spearhead (A76). Small fragment of upper part of blade, solid midrib. L: 25mm H: 8mm

77. Spearhead (A77). Blade fragment from central part of blade with part of the wooden haft remaining inside socket. Blade hollow and leaf-shaped. L: 53mm W (upper end): 13mm W (lower end): 27mm H (socket, inner-outer): 6mm H (top, inner-outer): 16mm

78./79. Spearhead (A78+79, discovered on top of each other). A78: larger blade frag-ment; leaf-shaped with bevelled edge. L: 51mm W (lower end): 40mm W (upper end): 23mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 5-7mm (?) Diameter (bottom, inner-outer): 8-10mm A79: smaller blade fragment; leaf-shaped with bevelled edge and probably hollow. L: 45mm W (lower end): 30mm W (upper end): 22mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 7-10mm Diameter (bottom, inner-outer): 9-13mm

80. Spearhead (A80). Small blade fragment from near the tip, part of hilt remaining in-side socket (?). Blade/tip fragment, hollow. L: 30mm W (upper end): 22mm W (lower end): 20mm H (socket, inner-outer): 11mm H (top, inner-outer): 11mm

81. Spearhead (A81). Small fragment of wing and part of midrib with organic material attached to it. L: 18mm W: 16mm

82. Wood(?) (A82). Small fragment of wooden haft. L: 20mm W: 20mm

83. Spearhead (A83). Fragment of wing and part of midrib with organic material attached to it. L: 34mm W: 15mm

84. Spearhead (A84). Small fragment of flame-shaped blade with part of wing and upper part of socket. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled and showing marks of wear (cuts, nicks). L: 33mm W (bottom): 30mm W (top): 24mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 11-14mm

85. Spearhead (A85). Small fragment of socket. L: 23mm W: 16mm

86. Spearhead (A86). Fragment of wing and part of midrib of flame-shaped spearhead, now in tow parts. Hollow wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Bevelled edge. L: 25mm W: 15mm

87. Spearhead (A87). Fragment of midrib or socket, organic material still adhering to it. L: 22mm W: 22mm

88. Unidentified object (A88). Almost square sheet, possibly a harness mount(?). Two rivet holes? L: 25mm W: 23mm

89. Spearhead (A89). Small blade/midrib fragment of central part of the spearhead, frag-ments of wooden shaft remaining inside socket. Object thin-walled (less than 1mm). Blade hollow. L: 29mm W: 15mm

90. Spearhead (A90). Small socket fragment, broken. L: 27mm W: 15mm

91. Spearhead (A91). Long fragment of laterally broken midrib/blade. Blade ribbed verti-cally, edge bevelled. L: 50mm W (bottom): 14mm W (top): 11mm

92. Spearhead (A92). Fragment of wing and part of midrib of flame-shaped spearhead, fragments of wood still adhering to inside. Hollow wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Bevelled edge not showing much wear. L: 19mm W: 20mm

93. Spearhead (A93). Small midrib fragment. L: 32mm W: 12mm

94. Spearhead (A94). Small socket or midrib fragment. L: 14mm W: 13mm

95. Spearhead (A95). Small socket or midrib fragment, big fragment of wood adhering to inner surface. L: 22mm W: 13mm

96. Spearhead (A96). Socket fragment. Circular, about one half remains. L: 20mm W: 24mm

97. Wood(?). Part of wooden shaft, possibly with metal attached to it(?). L: 23mm W: 15mm

98. Spearhead (A98). Small socket fragment, most of the organic hilt remaining with re-mains thin-walled cu-alloy socket attached to it. L: 32mm Diameter (approx., inner-outer): 15-17mm

99. Spearhead (A99). Large blade/midrib fragment of central part of the spearhead, part of haft remaining inside socket. Object thin-walled (less than 1mm). Blade hollow and leaf-shaped with bevelled edge, edge showing only few marks of wear. Only upper half of one rivet hole (Diameter: 5mm) remains, approx. 16mm below lower end of blade. L: 65mm W (upper end): 41mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 20-21.5mm H (top, in-ner-outer): 13-15mm

100. Spearhead (A100). Very small socket fragment, thin-walled (1mm) L: 31mm W (top): 9mm W (bottom): 13mm

101. Spearhead (A101). Large blade fragment from central part of blade, part of haft re-maining inside socket. Blade hollow and extremely thin-walled (less than 0.5mm); midrib ill-defined. Edge bevelled showing marks of wear (nicks and cuts). L: 55mm W (upper end): 50mm W (lower end): 57mm H (socket, inner-outer): 19mm H (top, inner-outer): 13mm

102. Spearhead (A102). Large blade fragment from central/side part of blade with part of haft remaining inside socket. Blade hollow and leaf-shaped. Edge bevelled and damaged. L: 58mm W (upper end): 39mm W (lower end): 25mm H (socket, inner-outer): 12-15mm

103. Spearhead (A103). Large blade fragment of flame-shaped spearhead, tip missing. Hollow wings all the way through, circular socket and ill-defined midrib. Edge bevelled and showing wear (cuts, dents, tears). L: 97mm W (bottom): 35mm W (top): 9mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 13.5-15mm

104. Spearhead (A104). Large blade fragment from central part of blade with part of the wooden haft remaining inside socket. Blade hollow and leaf-shaped. Edge bevelled and showing signs of impact damage. Small rib running alongside midrib on either side. L: 84mm W (upper end): 27mm W (lower end): 38mm H (socket, inner-outer): 19mm H (top, inner-outer): 11mm

105. Spearhead (A105). Large socket fragment. Socket thick-walled (2mm) and tapering with two rivet holes (4-6mm) approx. 20mm from socket. L: 45-52mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 25-30mm Diameter (top, inner-outer): 17.5-20mm

106. Spearhead (A108). Fragment of socket/midrib. Very thin-walled (0.5mm) L: 41mm W: 15mm

107. Spearhead (A107). Fragment of laterally broken socket of spearhead, part of the wood remaining. Thin-walled (1.2mm); no marks visible. L: 41mm W (bottom): 17mm W (top): 15mm Diameter (bottom, inner-outer, approx.): 15-17mm.

108. Ring (A108). One half of cu-alloy ring. Diameter (outer): 33mm Diameter (inner): 43mm

109. Spearhead (A109). Upper part of flame-shaped blade excluding tip. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib with two thinner decorative ribs running along-side it. Edges bevelled, showing some wear (cuts, dents). L: 82mm W: 22mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 8-12mm.

110. Spearhead (A110). Small blade fragment of spearhead. Hollow with flat-oval socket and bevelled edge. L: 43mm W (bottom): 20mm W (top): 6mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 6-8mm

111. Spearhead (A111). Small fragment of laterally broken midrib/blade. Blade ribbed vertically, edge bevelled. L: 22mm W (bottom): 8mm W (top): 7mm

112. Spearhead (A112). Fragment from near tip, tip itself missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, showing some wear (cuts, dents). L: 35mm W: 16mm H: 8mm

113. Spearhead (A113). Large blade and socket fragment of small leaf-shaped spearhead, tip missing. Wings comparatively narrow while circular socket has large diameter. Well-defined midrib. Edge bevelled and showing much wear (nicks, cuts). Metal of socket near breaks squashed/dented. L: 64mm W (bottom): 30mm W (top): 13mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 12.5-15mm

114. Spearhead (A114). Small blade fragment including part of one wing and upper part of socket. Hollow wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edge bevelled. L: 29mm W (bottom): 20mm W (top): 17mm

115. Sword (A115). Small sword hilt(?) fragment, much corroded, broken at rivets. L: 21mm W: 21mm H: 3mm

116. Sword(?) (A116). Sword tip fragment. Very worn, edges missing. Flat-lenticular cross-section(?). L: 60mm W: 19mm H: 4mm

117. Spearhead (A117). Thick-walled fragment of blade from near the tip. L: 26mm W: 19mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 4-8mm

118. Spearhead (A118). Fragment of tip. Solid metal, no socket. Very narrow, midrib ill-defined. L: 34mm W: 13mm H: 5mm

119. Spearhead (A119). Blade fragment. Hollow blade. L: 35mm W: 27mm

120. Spearhead (A120). Blade fragment. Hollow blade. L: 21mm W: 15mm

121. Spearhead (A121). Blade fragment from near tip. L: 12mm W: 15mm

122. Unidentified object (A122). Cu-alloy sheet(?). L: 32mm W: 10mm

123. Rapier(?) (A123). Possibly blade fragment. L: 20mm W: 15mm H: 2mm

Cache B (B1-B11)

Organic material. 3-4 fairly large pieces of wood, the largest measuring 160mm x 20mm x 30mm. Unlikely to be part of hilt, but possibly wood from inside hollow spearhead or part of container?

B1. Ferrule (?) (B1). Smaller tubular fragment, one end closed, wood still inside socket. L: 34mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 9-11.5mm.

B2. Ferrule (?) (B2). Large tubular fragment, open at both ends, wood still inside socket. L: 57mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 12-14mm

B3. Ferrule (?) (B3). Large tubular fragment, open at both ends, wood still inside socket. L: 65mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 12-14mm

B4. Spearhead (B4). Large fragment of blade and socket. Leaf-shaped spearhead with solid wings. Large socket diameter. L: 112mm W (widest): 40mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 18-21mm

B5. Spearhead (B5). Small tip fragment. L: 24mm W: 14mm

B6. Spearhead (B6). Large fragment, caked in organic matter. Probably leaf-shaped with solid wings. L: 48mm W (lower end): 27mm W (upper end): 20mm H: 11mm

B7. Spearhead (B9). Upper half of blade with wings. L: 60mm W: 24mm

B8. Spearhead (B8). Socket fragment (?). Wood still inside socket. L: 23mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 12-14mm

B9. Spearhead (B9). Socket fragment (?). Wood still inside socket. L: 40mm Diameter: (socket, inner-outer): 20-22(?)

B10. Spearhead (B10). Upper half of blade with wings. L: 64mm W: 29

B11. Ferrule (?) (B11). Probably ferrule both caked in and filled with organic matter. L: 70mm Diameter (socket, inner-outer): 13-15mm

B12. Sword (B12). Mid blade fragment with light corrosion and encrusted with organic matter. L: 149mm W: 42mm H: 6mm

Addenda Material (15/12/06), C1-26

The objects were given temporary numbers C1-C26/ADD1-ADD26.

C1. Sword (ADD1). Lower part of hilt and large part of blade. Original edges only partly present. No defined midrib. Blade has cross-section. Shape of shoulders and hilt uncer-tain. Fragment very worn. L: 17.6mm W (hilt): 20mm W (shoulders): 35mm W (blade): 21mm H (hilt): 4mm H (centre): 6mm H (blade): 6mm WE: 143.6g

C2. Ferrule (ADD2). Large tubular fragment, upper and lower end missing. L: 84mm Diameter (socket, lower part, inner-outer): 8-13mm Diameter (socket, upper part, inner-outer) 13-17mm WE: 41.8.

C3. Ferrule (ADD3). Small tubular fragment, upper and lower end missing. L: 32mm Diameter (socket, lower part, inner-outer): 10.5-14mm Diameter (socket, upper part, inner-outer) 12-14mm WE: 14.7.

C4. Spearhead (ADD4). Fragment from near tip, tip itself missing. Solid wings, circular socket and well-defined midrib with thinner, decorative ribs running alongside it (one of each side). Edges bevelled, showing some wear (cuts, dents). L: 31mm W: 18mm H: 8mm WE: 8.1g

C5. Ferrule (ADD5). Small tubular fragment, upper and lower end missing. L: 43mm Diameter (socket, lower part, inner-outer): 13-15mm Diameter (socket, upper part, inner-outer) 10-14mm WE: 14.7g

C6. Ferrule (ADD6). Lower part of tubular ferrule. L: 41mm Diameter (socket, lower part, inner-outer): 10-12mm WE: 15g

C7. Spearhead (ADD7). Fragment of upper part of wing (of one side), broken at socket. Solid wing, circular socket and well-defined midrib. Edges bevelled, showing some wear (cuts, dents). L: 57mm W: 18mm H: 9mm WE: 16g

C8. Sword (?)(ADD8). Small blade fragment from near the tip. L: 18mm W: 28mm H: 4mm WE: 9g

C9. Spearhead (ADD9). Small blade fragment, broken at socket. Decorative rib alongside midrib. Bevelled edge that retains much of its sharpness. L: 20mm W: 13mm H: 7mm WE: 3.5g

C10. Spearhead (ADD10). Very small fragment of tip (?), extremely worn. L: 13mm W: 10mm H: 7mm WE: 3.1g

C11. Ring (?) (ADD11). Fragment of large, hollow-cast ring, possibly bent spearhead socket (?). Edges worn and torn, possibly remains of ½ rivet hole. L: 42mm Diameter (inner-outer): 16-19mm WE: 14g

C12. Spearhead (ADD12). Fragment of upper part of wing (of one side), broken at socket. Solid wing, circular socket, edges bevelled. L: 48mm W: 15mm H: 7mm WE: 13.7g

C13. Ceramic (?) (ADD13). Possibly small fragment of thick-walled ceramic vessel (?). L: 34mm, W: 22mm, H: 19mm, WE: 14.2g

C14. Spearhead (ADD14). Long, narrow fragment from near tip, tip missing. Defined midrib, solid wings, sharp edges. L: 39mm W: 17mm H: 8mm WE: 11.3g

C15. Spearhead (ADD15). Small fragment of midrib/blade intersection of hollow-cast spearhead. L: 25mm W: 19mm H: 6mm WE: 5.7g

C16. Spearhead (?) (ADD16). Small fragment, possibly of hollow-cast spearhead. L: 23mm W: 11.5mm H: 2mm WE: 2.3g

C17. Awl (?) (ADD17). Large body fragment of a small pointy tool, possibly an awl. One half has circular, the other square cross-section and both ends tapering to a point. Much of the surface eroded away. L: 30mm W: 4.5mm H: 4mm WE: 2.8g

C18. Spearhead (?) (ADD18). Small fragment of socket with tiny, cu-alloy flakes/ frgms. of cu-alloy sheet (?) adhering to the inside. L: 27mm W: 15mm H: 4mm WE: 3.9g

C19. Spearhead (ADD19). Small fragment of midrib/blade intersection of hollow-cast spearhead. L: 21mm W: 13mm H: 1mm WE: 2.6g

C20. Unidentified Object (ADD20). Long, narrow cu-alloy fragment. L: 42mm W: 7mm H: 3mm WE: 3.4g

C21. Ring (ADD21). Solid with cracks in surface. Approx. 10mm missing. H: 4.9mm Diameter (inner-outer): 32-41mm WE: 13.5 g

C22. Sword (ADD22). Small blade fragment. Very worn. L: 26mm W: 32mm H: 6mm WE: 17.5g

C23. Spearhead (ADD23). Very small fragment of midrib/blade intersection of hollow-cast spearhead. L: 25mm W: 8mm H: 5mm WE: 3.8g

C24. Spearhead (ADD24). Large tip fragment. Solid wings, well defined midrib. L: 68mm W: 22mm H: 10mm WE: 20.7g

C25. Spearhead (ADD25). Small tip fragment. Solid wings, well defined midrib. L: 22mm W: 14mm H: 7mm WE: 5.2g

C26. Spearhead (ADD26). Tip fragment. Hollow wings, well-defined midrib. One decorative rib on either side of the midrib. L: 32mm W: 14mm H: 7.5mm WE: 5.7g

Measurements (millimetres, grams):

L: Length W: Width H: Height WE: Weight (only Addenda, including soil trapped in hollow spaces)

Discussion

This group of ca.161 objects represents an assemblage that mainly consists of spearhead and ferrule fragments, but also include sword, awl and ring fragments. All the artefacts date from the Wilburton/early Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age and are part of the 'Blackmoor' metalwork assemblage (1100-900 BC). The object types found in this hoard are consistent with the contents of other Late Bronze Age hoards found in the northern Midlands and the North East, although their fragmentary state is noteworthy. None of the artefacts are complete and there are hardly any larger fragments, which is very much unlike South Eastern Late Bronze Age hoards and other hoards from the North East, such as Gillonby (Lincs.). The fragmentary state of the artefacts only allows a preliminary identification: there are 47 fragments of hollow-cast spearheads (most with flame-shaped blades), 29 fragments of leaf-shaped spearheads with solid wings, 16 sword blade and sword hilt fragments (only A20.1-20.3 join), 9 ferrule fragments, 3 'domed objects' (A19, A32 and A64), 3 wooden haft fragments (these are the fragments given individual numbers), 2 fragmentary awls (?) (A65, C17), 1 harness fragment (?) (A88), 1 complete solid (C21) and 1 ½ solid ring (A108), 1 damaged hollow-cast ring (C21), 1 sheet metal fragment (A122), 1 possible rapier fragment (A23) and 1 potsherd (C13). 45 fragments must remain unidentified or uncertain at this point in time, although most of them are spearhead fragments of uncertain type.

Except for the coarse ware potsherd and the organic remains, all other items are made from cast copper-alloy.

Almost all of the artefacts are fragmented and many artefacts show signs of heavy wear and breakage for inclusion as scrap metal. It is likely that they were collected with other surplus bronze to form a metal resource for recycling which is a common phenomenon in the British Late Bronze Age.

Although the items were said to have been found in three individual caches, the similarity of object types and breakage suggests that the artefacts were, in fact, found scattered over a large area and were probably dispersed due to the actions of the plough. A casting jet that was found nearby (a single find handed in some time later) is inconsistent with the contents of the hoard and did, most probably, not belong to the assemblage.

Conclusion

This group of artefacts date to the late Wilburton/Ewart Park ('Blackmoor') phase of the British Late Bronze Age, suggesting a date of deposition towards the end of the period, around 1100-900 BC. The assemblage (except the casting jet which is herein classified as 'single find') is eligible as Treasure under the new Treasure Order (2002) being a base metal prehistoric find containing two or more metal objects and well over 300 years old. This also includes the potsherd and all organic remains. The hoarding of metalwork at this period was not an uncommon phenomenon, particularly in the south-east of Britain, with more scattered examples elsewhere (e.g. Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire). Late Bronze Age metalwork finds this large are not especially common in Lincolnshire and this group constitutes an important addition to our knowledge of the Late Bronze Age period in central and northern Britain.