Casgliadau Arlein

This is a South Wales Type socketed axe, bronze – complete One of a Hoard of nine bronze axes and one possible casting jet.

The 9 axes were recovered from the same pit at depths between 15-45cm. They were placed haphazardly with rocks buried between them. The 9 axes of this hoard group are remarkably homogenous. 1-8 are all socketed axes identifiable as South Wales Type, no.1 is a Collard Variant.They all date to the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age (1000-800 BC). Of the group, only axes Nos.1 and 2 show clear evidence of being worked and prepared for use. Nos 5 and 9 show significant casting flaws and are in their 'as cast in the mould' state, never having been prepared for use. Similarly, nos 7 and 8 were never prepared for use. For axes 3, 4 and 6 the evidence is less clear either way.

The fragment of casting jet was discovered approximately 30 metres away. Leaded bronze casting jets are often found with Late Bronze Age hoards making it likely that this object was originally buried with the axes and disturbed later due to ploughing.

A complete socketed axe of slender form, with a concave profile and flaring form. Has a narrow, out-splayed and everted mouth moulding, with a wide loop emerging from the underside. The sub-rectangular shaped mouth has some corrosion damage and has three worn runner stubs and one runner scar, each placed at 90 degrees around the mouth. There are three well-defined ribs extending two thirds down each face of the axe. The side casting seams are very prominent, but slightly rounded, suggesting rapid and minimal hammering. The blade edge is chipped and damaged, while soil and concretions on the blade bevel prevent identification of sharpening striations. One face has a grey-green patina with some areas of black patination on the upper face. The reverse face remains covered with a pale brown soil and surface concretions.