A British Middle Bronze-age palstave axe head. The axe has a convex cutting edge which is short and roughly triangular; it appears small for a palstave of this size, but the wear on the surfaces and along the edges suggests that this palstave was of age when deposited or lost, so it may well have been in use for a long time and repeatedly sharpened which would explain the small size of the blade; both faces presenting worn decoration of three short/curved ribs; U-shaped septum and straight-sided open flanges for hafting.
 
Middle Bronze Age, Oxfordshire UK: Circa 1500-1150 BC.
 
Very Fine condition; good bronze with a bright blue-green patina; surfaces smooth.
Length 10.2 cms (4 ins).
 
Provenance: Found whilst searching with a metal detector at the parish of West Hendred near the Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, UK, on Saturday 13th September 2014.
Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex UK 27th August-10th December 2025.
Listed in The Portable Antiquities Scheme report number SUR-94D598, which states that this axe head is probably part of the Acton Park or Taunton metalwork assemblages.
 
NB: Current UK and EU legislation would require this item to have an export licence if sent outside of the UK. We will carry out this procedure at no extra charge, but it may take up to 2-4 weeks for the DCMS to return and approve the application.