Casgliadau Arlein

Early Bronze Age bronze developed flat axe, probably of Type Falkland and of metalworking Assemblage IV, corresponding with Needham’s (1996) Period 3, dated to 2050 – 1700 BC, The axe is complete (with a length of 107.4mm and a weight of 203.4g). The butt is straight and slender (with a width of 24.2mm) and gradually thickens to the straight medial bevel (positioned 49mm from the butt where it has a thickness of 12.5mm). The sides are near parallel diverging slightly to the bevel (where the axe has a width of 29.5mm). The sides are then divergent as far as a blade facet (positioned 17-20mm from the blade edge), before diverging sharply to produce an expanded blade edge (with a width of 56.4mm). The blade is well preserved and retains its edge. The face is very slightly convex along the butt and is flat on the blade facets. There are no flanges present. Remnant traces of the original surface survive with no evidence of decoration and with a dark brown patina.