ROMAN MINIATURE OBJECT

An incomplete Roman (AD 1-410) copper alloy miniature object in the form of an Iron Age or Romano British socketed axehead. It is of Robinson's Type III (miniature axe with dropping blade). The object measures 20.84mm in length, 11.33mm in max.width (width at loop), 8.10mm in max thickness ('socket' end) and weighs 4.96g.The 'socket' end is oval in cross-section (measuring 10.02x8.17mm) and uneven in shape. The central rectangular 'socket' measures 5.13x3.71x6.08mm. The socket end has a slight moulded lip.About 5mm below the socket the loop extends in a C-shape to one side, while the body becomes a little concave next to it to create a pointed-oval hole for the loop. The hole however does not go all the way through and seems blocked in the centre (with metal). This presumably occurred during casting. The body below this is concave, the corner at the cutting edge curving outwards.The other edge of the body is more or less straight and vertical, curving inwards a little at the cutting edge. The cutting edge measures 9.33mm in width.Reference: Robinson 1995, Wiltshire Archaeology Magazine 88, p.60-68, cf.10, 13. Robinson dates the majority of the miniature axeheads to the Roman period, some being from Late Roman contexts. However some are known too from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age. Robinson notes of Type III miniature axes that 'these clearly copy the socketed iron axes with dropping blades which are dated o the Iron Age and Romano-British periods'.