Casgliadau Arlein

This is an irregularly shaped bronze fragment, probably casting waste debris. It was found as part of a hoard alongside a sword fragment, socketed axe (2025.79H/1-2) and another fragment of casting waste.

The hoard was found between two natural springs in the basin of the Ely River. It is among a number of other hoards from the Ely River (Pendoylan, Michaelstone-Super-Ely, St Fagans and Fairwater) and contributes to evidence suggesting the Ely River held a particular, possibly religious, local significance.

The items were made from leaded bronze, which is typical for items of Late Bronze Age date. There was a trace presence of iron due to the iron rich soil. This item has few morphologically diagnostic elements, however it is the kind of bi-product that could be created during a hand casting process involving molten bronze.

Detailed Description; This is an irregular shaped fragment of bronze, probably representing molten casting waste debris solidifying into a random shape just where it landed. The surfaces and edges are irregular in shape and the thickness varies from 5.7mm at one end to a maximum of 10.4mm at the other end. At one point, there is an irregular-shaped hole through the fragment. The surfaces are uneroded and have a brown patina, with orange-brown, iron rich soil adhering to its surfaces.