Casgliadau Arlein

This well preserved example conforms to the type published by Morris (1980, where 10 examples from 10th -14th C are discussed), in which a shaft (perhaps of Ash?) was inserted into a slot (surviving width of slot 43mm) pegged twice and probably bound around the narrow neck of the blade. This example, however, has a further detail: a shallow indentation on the underside of the blade which suggests that the two pegs were set into a short baton. The angle at which the shaft and blade met strongly suggests that a wedge, perhaps itself pierced by one of the pegs, would have been inserted between shaft and upper surface of the the blade. There is no evidence for a metal shoe on the blade end, which, together with the sharply sloping shoulders of the blade (unsuitable for foot pressure), indicates that the implement was a shovel, for moving loose material, rather than a spade for cutting. Such an implement might have a variety of applications in agricultural, building, industrial or domestic contexts. A suggested reconsttruction is illustrated (p112)