Find Spot record 5009 - Bronze Socketed and Looped Axehead from Fields Farm Fisheries

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Sharrat C, 14/09/2010 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

A Late Bronze Age Socketed and Looped Axe head found during a charity metal detecting rally (12/09/2010) organised by the Crewe and Nantwich Metal Detecting Society and the Sandbach Rotary Club Charity Rally. Source gave a grid reference of SJ762623.

<2> Portable Antiquities Scheme, Various, Portable Antiquities Data Import, LVPL-061903 (Digital Archive). SCH5212.

An almost complete cast copper alloy socketed axe of Late Bronze Age date (1000 - 800 BC). The object can be classified as the Ewart Park phase of metalwork. The object is sub-rectangular in plan with the cutting edge expanding outwards to form a convex cutting edge. The cutting edge is damaged and worn which occurred both in recent and ancient times. The cutting edge measures 46mm in width and is 3mm thick. The socket has a sub square mouth (internal width 27mm, internal length 25mm, external width 38mm, external length 34mm and the wall of the mouth is 4-5mm thick). The top of the socket shows evidence of recent damage, probably due to the plough. The socket is 49mm deep and the insides are smooth. Around the mouth of the socket is a moulded collar. On the front and back of the axe, is a single central rib which extends along the socket towards the blade. The ribs are worn and fade out before the sides of the axe start to expand to form the cutting edge. The front and back faces of the axe are very slightly faceted at the socket end. Along the centre of each side of the axe is a pronounced casting seam. The seams have not been filed and one shows recent damage. One side of the axe has a semi circular moulded side loop. The loop measures 8mm in width, 19mm in length and is 4mm thick. It is D-shaped in cross-section. The casting seam runs over the side loop. The object has a dark brown patina and is in good condition. The object can be classified as the Ewart park phase of metal work which corresponds with metalworking phases X - XII, or Needham Periods 6-7, dating from about 1150-750 CAL BC. This axe is likely to date from about 1000 - 800 BC.

<3> The British Museum, Portable Antiquities Scheme Online Database, LVPL-061903 (Web Site). SCH5176.

<4> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Edwards R, 25/07/2016 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

There is a discrepancy between sources (1) and (2) in both the date on which the find was found and the precise location of the find. However, photographs of the artefact confirm that both reports relate to the same find. The grid reference for the record is equidistant between the two reported find locations.