Bronze Age Gold from Wales

25-27. Sword blade - Ewart Park Type (3 conjoining fragments) Combined surviving length 354.0mm Combined weight 374.7g

Blade from a leaf-shaped sword. The blade section is uniform in shape throughout having a gently rounded mid-section and gently concave outer section, coming to slightly bevelled edges. This is typical of Ewart Park swords, although it is not possible from the blade shape to identify it to Step type.

Sword fragment at widest part of mid-blade, broadening slightly below upper break (convex), then beginning to taper towards lower break. Bevelled edges 3.0-4.0mm wide visible. Both upper and lower break cross-sections have gently rounded mid-sections and gently concave outer sections curving to bevelled edges. Much of blade is sharp and well preserved, though one side has lengths of modern breakage and corrosion. In side view, the blade is bent markedly near the upper break. On the upper convex blade surface, in a strip 21.0mm wide are many rounded impact marks, created by blows from a blunted implement, when broken in antiquity. Good break fits with sword tip fragment 25 and sword blade fragment 27. Striations along blade edge indicate sharpening, whilst longitudinal striations along upper surface further evidence of finishing. Notching down one blade edge indicating use-wear. One surface has dark grey green patina, with small areas of bronze showing through, the other a green patina, both with lighter green carbonate concretions on them.