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Late Bronze Age bronze socketed axe
This is a bronze socketed axe with three vertical parallel ribs and two edge-ribs on each face and a hexagonal body-section.The socket mouth has a flared, trumpet-shaped collar that tapers in and steps slightly onto the upper blade. The ribs descend from the base of this collar moulding and extends about a third down each face of the axe. The sides of the axe diverge slightly and flare at the lower blade to form a curved cutting edge. This cutting edge is chipped and fragmentary, but appears to have been prepared for use and worked. The axe is covered in a thick, dark brown patina. The axe can be classed as a Southern English (Class B) type.
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Find Information
Site Name: Michaelston-super-Ely, Cardiff
Notes: Hoard. A socketed axe was found in March 1987 with two fragments of gold placed deep inside the socket. The findspot was in a field of pasture beneath an old field bank. The axe was found lying horizontally at a depth of just over 50cm. Archaeological excavation revealed no associated pit or context.