Context (Found together / assemblage)
This is one of 21 objects (2017.29-46) discovered in February 2014 by two metal detectors in the parish of Bythorn. In their report to H.M. Coroner, Neil Wilkin, Curator, European Bronze Age Collection at the British Museum, and Caroline Chestnutt, volunteer for the British Museum, noted that: 'The nature of this group of objects (ingot pieces and fragmentary objects) implies that they were deposited together and are related to the metalworking process, as they are typical of material which would be melted down and recycled. The two socketed axe fragments [2017.44 and 2017.49] are both likely to belong to the South-Eastern Type, Class A... and these objects can therefore be used to date the group to the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age (c 920-800 BC). Parallel fragmentary examples have been found across Southern England, for example, as part of the Petters metalwork hoard.' They conclude that this is a single deposit, a Late Bronze Age Founders hoard.
Event Date 2/2014
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Context (Analysis)
In their analysis of this axe, Neil Wilkin and Caroline Chestnutt note: 'Due to the fragmentary nature of the axe, it is difficult to ascertain a specific type, however, it is likely of South-Eastern, Class A type (Needham 1990, 28). This type dates to the Late Bronze Age, Ewart Park phase, c. 920-800 BC (Needham et al. 1997, 82)'.' [cf: Needham, S. P. 1990. The Petters Late Bronze Age Metalwork. London: British Museum.]
Event Date 26/6/2014
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Description (Physical description)
Portable Antiquities Scheme (2014): 'A damaged copper alloy socketed axe. One face is almost entirely complete, with a large piece of the cutting-edge missing; the other face is also missing a section of the mouth. The axe is undecorated and overall quite slender. The mouth is wide with casting remains on the rim, flashes are visible on the interior; the external casting seems are present on either side, but do not extend below the loop. The axe is covered with a green patina and the interior contains soil debris, which affects the object’s weight.'
Event Date 26/6/2014
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Context (Auction / Sale)
The Late Bronze Age Founders hoard (2017.29-2017.49) was declared Treasure and acquired by the museum through the Treasure Act on 25 July 2017.
Event Date 25/7/2017
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Description (Physical description)
A damaged socketed axe. One face is almost entirely complete, with a large piece of the cutting-edge missing; the other face is also missing a section of the mouth. The axe is undecorated and overall quite slender. The mouth is wide with casting remains on the rim, flashes are visible on the interior; the external casting seems are present on either side, but do not extend below the loop. Covered with a green patina and the interior contains soil debris (which affects its weight).
Event Date 6/2/2019
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)