Casgliadau Arlein

Complete three ribbed socketed axe. Thin and prominent outsplayed mouth moulding, from which a high placed loop extends. On one face, the three ribs are convergent, whilst on the other, they are near parallel but set at a slight diagonal angle to the face sides. One rib on the latter is discontinuous towards the blade end. The external mouth shape is sub-rectangular, whilst the internal mouth shape is nearly square. Four runner bases project from the mouth top. The axe has angular face edges, whilst the sides of the axe diverge slightly towards the blade end. The side casting flashes are blunted but prominent and may have been trimmed by hammering. Unusually, the axe faces are markedly convex in both transverse and longitudinal section. None of the original blade edge remains, having entirely corroded away since deposition, therefore the precise original blade width is unknown. The blade has marked curvature in plan view, whilst striations on the upper blade bevel and parallel to the blade edge indicate that the blade was sharpened for use. Socket contains large quantity of carbonate corrosion deposit at lower end, obscuring socket base shape. Over the mouth top, loop, upper and lower faces and sides of the axe are extensive patches of black patination, now partially eroded (tenorite). The internal socket walls also have a dark green/black patination. Underneath this, and over most of the axe, there is a green patina, except at the corroded blade edge, which is light green.