File:Bronze Age ingot fragments (FindID 498099).jpg

English: Between 2010 and March 2012 fourteen copper alloy ingots, one copper alloy casting waste fragment and two unidentifiable copper alloy fragments were found. The copper alloy ingots and fragments were found in the parish of Sarratt, Hertfordshire.

Description

1. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 76.44 mm, Maximum Width: 68.08 mm, Maximum Thickness: 31.84 mm, Weight: 641.9 g

2. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 67.52 mm, Maximum Width: 47.44 mm, Maximum Thickness: 22.74 mm, Weight: 197.1 g

3. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 56.73 mm, Maximum Width: 34.19mm, Maximum Thickness: 33.84 mm, Weight: 258.7 g

4. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 61.30 mm, Maximum Width: 46.63 mm, Maximum Thickness: 19.10 mm, Weight: 223.9 g

5. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 52.98 mm, Maximum Width: 43.58 mm, Maximum Thickness: 25.28 mm, Weight: 920.4 g

6. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 42.21 mm, Maximum Width: 23.59 mm, Maximum Thickness: 21.19 mm, Weight: 96.0 g

7. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 43.51 mm, Maximum Width: 34.6 mm, Maximum Thickness: 15.27 mm, Weight: 82.2 g

8. Copper alloy ingot Length: 39.79 mm, Maximum Width: 32.99mm, Maximum Thickness: 16.27 mm, Weight: 60.3 g

9. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 37.55 mm, Maximum Width: 34.48 mm, Maximum Thickness: 15.79 mm, Weight: 59.7 g

10. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 35.47 mm, Maximum Width: 25.92 mm, Maximum Thickness: 13.13 mm, Weight: 26.7 g

11. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 30.39 mm, Maximum Width: 26.70 mm, Maximum Thickness: 8.23 mm, Weight: 29.3 g

12. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 37.82 mm, Maximum Width: 22.70 mm, Maximum Thickness: 10.20 mm, Weight: 26.8 g

13. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 37.42 mm, Maximum Width: 21.29 mm, Maximum Thickness: 14.24 mm, Weight: 24.5g

14. Copper alloy ingot. Length: 24.01 mm, Maximum Width: 18.07 mm, Maximum Thickness: 10.69 mm, Weight: 10.8 g

15. Copper alloy casting waste fragment. Length: 53.17mm, Maximum Width: 44.42 mm, Maximum Thickness: 7.29 mm, Weight: 29.8 g

16. Copper alloy unidentifiable fragment with smooth and flat surfaces on one side creating a right angle and concave on the other side. Length: 24.01 mm, Maximum Width: 18.55 mm, Maximum Thickness: 9.47 mm, Weight: 12.6 g

17. Copper alloy unidentifiable fragment with one smooth and flat surface. Length: 19.80 mm, Maximum Width: 19.80 mm, Maximum Thickness: 18.57 mm, Weight: 11.0 g

Discussion

Copper alloy ingot fragment hoards are frequently found in association with complete and fragmented copper alloy objects dating to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1100-800 BC). Comparable Late Bronze Age copper alloy ingot fragments have been found recently in Hertfordshire as at Furneux Pelham (BH-05FD57).

Conclusion

The objects qualify as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act (1996) (Designation Order 2002).

Bibliography

Authors Mafalda Raposo (Volunteer) Ben Roberts (Bronze Age Curator)