BRONZE AGE MINIATURE OBJECT

A cast copper alloy minature socketed looped axe dating from the Bronze/Iron Age transition to the early Roman period, that is c. 800BC-AD200. The axe is complete with a broken loop by which it formed a pendant. The loop is offset on one face. The axe has a widely splayed blade and a rounded collar; it is solid and has no socket.Miniature socketed axeheads can be dated from the Bronze Age/Iron Age transition through to the Roman period, though a date towards the earlier end of the spectrum is more likely. They probably functioned as amulets or votive offerings. The majority are unstratified finds and most of them come from Wiltshire and surrounding counties. One miniature axe was found as part of the hoard from the Vale of Wardour (Tisbury), Wiltshire (WILT-E8DA70/2011T684) - this appears to be the only other example that had a loop on one of the faces rather than on the side, as socketed axes traditionally do. A number of these axe pendants/votive axes come from midden sites, especially from the midden at Whitchurch, Warwickshire (Sharples and Waddington 2011).A good parallel from the database with the loop at the side has been recorded under DOR-67F865.Ref:Sharples, N. and Waddington, K. 2011. The excavations at Whitchurch 2006-2009. An Interim Report. Cardiff Studies in Archaeology Specialist Report 31.Robinson, P. 1995, Miniature socketed bronze axes from Wiltshire. Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine Vol. 88, 60-68.