Casgliadau Arlein

Complete three ribbed socketed axe of slender form. Thin and prominent outsplayed mouth moulding, from which a high placed loop extends. Three longitudinal ribs extend from the underside of the moulding on each face and are slightly convergent. The external and internal mouth outlines are sub-rectangular in shape. Three runner stubs and one runner scar are present along the mouth top. The socket base is even in shape. The sides of the axe are straight and slightly divergent, expanding slightly at the blade end to form the cutting edge. The face edges are crisply defined and the cross section of the body is rectangular. The casting seams are prominent, though blunt, and at one point where the original surface survives striations are visible, indicating some grinding after casting. The blade edge is totally corroded and is only slightly curved. Hammer facets along the upper blade margins, together with striations parallel to the blade edge, indicate that the axe was prepared for use. Many longitudinal scratches over the face surfaces appear to have been created during use, since some are interrupted by blade edge sharpening marks, whilst others seem to be partially covered by corrosion products and patinated surfaces. On upper faces, sides and on the interior socket walls is a back patina (tenorite). Other original surfaces are dark green, whilst worn and corroded surfaces on faces sides and blade edge are light green. One upper face has a small patch of blue azurite corrosion product, whilst in the lower socket are significant green carbonate encrustations.