Casgliadau Arlein

This is either a small bronze ingot or casting waste debris. It was found as part of a hoard alongside a sword fragment, socketed axe (2025.79H/1-2) and another fragment of casting waste.

The hoard was found between two natural springs in the basin of the Ely River. It is among a number of other hoards from the Ely River (Pendoylan, Michaelstone-Super-Ely, St Fagans and Fairwater) and contributes to evidence suggesting the Ely River held a particular, possibly religious, local significance.

Copper and leaded bronze ingots, particularly cake and plano-convex ingot fragments similar to this object were common components of hoards towards the end of the Late Bronze Age.

The items were made from leaded bronze, which is typical for items of Late Bronze Age date. There was a trace presence of iron due to the iron rich soil.

Detailed Description; This is a two-thirds fragment of a circular- or oval-shaped and small bronze ingot fragment or casting waste ‘puddle’, with an angular and irregular break across its centre. The edges are sub-circular and rounded while the upper surface is flat. The underside is more irregular and pitted with a convex profile, thickening and deeper towards the centre, near the break-edges and taking the form of the hollow into which it was poured. The break-edges are angular however the break appears to have happened in antiquity as indicated by soil covered breaks. The fragment has a brown patina with orange-brown, iron rich soil adhering to its surfaces.