Casgliadau Arlein

Complete three ribbed socketed axe with thin and prominent outsplayed mouth moulding and high placed loop extending from the underside of the moulding. Three slightly converging ribs extend down faces of the axe. The external mouth shape is sub-rectangular and the internal mouth shape is rectangular. Four runner stubs project from the mouth of the axe. The axe has slightly divergent sides with moderate recurving of the blade edges. The face edges are curved rather than angular and the body of the axe is rectangular in cross section. The side casting flashes are visible but blunt, with striations running parallel to them indicating some grinding down prior to use. Although no original blade edge survives and has chipped away with corrosion, the blade end is prominently curved in plan view. The blade bevel has been shaped by hammering, as indicated by numerous blunt impact marks on one face. Striations running parallel to the blade edge on the blade bevel also indicates sharpening before use. Towards the lower end of the socket there are significant carbonate corrosion products, however the socket base is even in shape. Mid way up the socket, a small elongate but irregularly shaped strip of bronze (approx. 10mm long and 1.5-2.0mm thick) is firmly attached to an interior face wall of the axe. The upper axe faces and sides have a black patination (tenorite), whilst remaining original surfaces are dark green. The internal socket walls have a dark green/black patination. The corroded blade edge and socket corrosion deposits are light green.