File:Bronze Age socketed axehead (FindID 1004585).jpg

English: An incomplete cast copper alloy miniature socketed axehead dating to the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age, c. 850 BC to 400 BC.

The object is rectangular in shape, parallel sided with the cutting edge, now damaged, originally flaring between the two horizontal sides. It is now wavy, with a marked rise and fall along the cutting edge. It is unclear whether this may have been deliberate, given the size of the object and its possible non-functional use, or whether this happened post deposition. The latter seems more likely as the wave is caused by one large and one smaller removal from the cutting edge. The socket is damaged and broken, and the original mouth profile does not survive. 

The surface is in good condition, albeit with some pitting and an area of brighter green patina amidst the general darker green colour of the surface. There are also a series of horizontal inscribed lines or scratch marks on one of the surfaces, which begin approximately 4.5mm from the cutting edge. Six lines of varying length are visible. 

The object is extremely small in size, and seems to be an example of the phenomenon of miniature socketed axes known mainly from finds in Wiltshire. Examples of these include WILT-B9731D and WILT-889E3E, both of which are very similar in form to this example, albeit somewhat smaller. The first example from Devon, DEV-FC64E0, was recorded in 2019, but the surface and mouth profile of this example surives in far better condition. It is interesting to note that a horizontal line was observed following the line of the cutting edge on that example too.  Robinson (1995) has created a typology for these objects, and Farley (2011) describes the complex relationships between earlier and later full size and miniature axeheads. However, this example does not fit straightforwardly into Robinson's typology. The large size and form of the socket suggest a date at the earlier end of the range associated with these objects, potentially c. 850 to 400 BC.

Measurements: 32.4mm length, 25.1mm width, 2.1mm thickness (cutting edge), 11.4mm thickness (mouth area), weight 31.34g.