Casgliadau Arlein

Conjoining fragments of a ribbed socketed axe. Probable upper body fragments from an incompletely cast axe. An ephemeral, but prominent circular and rounded projection on the side of fragment 14 appears to be the incompletely formed lower loop stub (4mm diameter, length 3.5mm). Two parallel longitudinal ribs are visible on the most complete face (Fragments 15 & 16), whilst one may be seen on the reverse (fragment 14). The ribs extend from a poorly formed irregular top surface, there being no evidence of an outsplayed mouth moulding. This top surface has rounded edges and shows no thickening as expected on a mouth, indicating that the maker ran out of bronze before this axe casting was complete and that the axe is a major miscasting. There is also evidence of surface cracking on fragment 14 down the loop side. The face edges of the axe are rounded, the body section appearing oval, contrary to the typical blocky rectangular or hexagonal shape of South Wales type axes. The fragments have a dark green patination, with a small patch of black tenorite present on fragment 15. The breaks are new, suggesting breakage during or after removal of artefacts from the ground.

Combined dimensions: external mouth dimension (at right angle to blade) approx. 25.6mm, internal mouth dimension (at right angle to blade) approx. 16.0mm. Combined weight: 25.5g