NHER 8777 (Find Spot record) - Bronze Age socketed axeheads

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Summary

In 1958 six Bronze Age socketed axeheads were recovered from a field surface. All these axes were of the same type with 'ribbed wing' decoration on each face, many also appeared to be unfinished. In 1964 another Bronze Age socketed axehead was retrieved from the same area.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF90SW
Civil Parish WATTON, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

December 13th 1958. Found while excavating on Watton Airfield, 26m (85ft) south of verge, 61m (200ft) east of field boundary 0.9m (3ft) deep in clay.
Founders/traders hoard.
Six bronze socketed axes all of one type with 'ribbed wing' decoration on each face, two show evidence of faulty casting none has been sharpened and some still await removal of the casting flanges. Single loops.
Copy of drawing (S1) in file.
Held by NCM given by Commandant RAF Watton.
Lengths: (1) - 105mm; (2) - 100mm; (3) - 103mm; (4) - 99mm; (5) - 104mm; (6) - 105mm.
N.B. for exact parallel see single axe found at Castle Acre 1970.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

1964. Stray Find.
Another find on same site:
1 Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead. See drawing (S2).
This object was bequeathed to the Norwich Castle Museum in 1993 (NWHCM : 1993.203.2).
E. Rose (NAU). Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 11 Janaury 2016.

One of the first six axes was donated after the remainder - see correspondence in file.

  • --- Publication: Norfolk Museums Service. 1966. Bronze Age Metalwork in Norwich Castle Museum. p 31; Fig 58.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Watton [2].
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 90 SW 33.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • --- Serial: 1958. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries. Vol 5. p 5.
  • <S1> Illustration: Finds Illustrations.
  • <S2> Illustration: Jones, C. 1993. Drawing of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead from Watton. Paper. 1:1.
  • SOCKETED AXEHEAD (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • HOARD (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
  • SOCKETED AXEHEAD (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Jun 28 2018 11:50AM

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