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1884.119.80

Bronze axe

1884.119.80

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Collection type
Object
Description
Bronze axe
Long description
Small bronze axe with lunate expanded edge with cusped points, slight flanges, thick in centre, slight cross stop.
Geographical reference
Ireland, Republic of
Europe > Northern Europe > Ireland, Republic of
Ireland County Cork
Date / Period
Archaeological period: Early Bronze Age
Date collected
By 1874
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Bronze Metal, Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Cast, Process Forged (Metal)
Dimensions
Thick: max 11 mm, Width: max 32 mm, Length: max 90 mm, Weight 78 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.119.80 Other numbers: 36 1879 PR Cat other PR nos: 2291 PR no.: 1444
Research and responses

Pitt Rivers was in Ireland [serving in the Army] from 1862-66, this object may have been obtained during this period [Bowden, 1991: 60-4] [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

Between 2005 - 2007 a survey of metalwork in the PRM was undertaken by Gali Beiner, a conservator in the Museum. As part of this study 77 objects were analysed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) providing a qualitative non destructive analysis of the alloy composition. This object was one of those analysed, the results showed the presence of Cu, Sn, Pb, Fe. (?leaded bronze). A copy of the analysis and report is held in conservation [GB 23/8/2007; MN 27/10/2009]

In the late 1940s or 1950s, a drilling was taken from this object for elemental analysis and a sample removed for metallographic examination as part of the work of the Ancient Mining and Metallurgy Committee of the Royal Anthropological Institute. For the results of the analysis, see under 'Publications'. [MN 30/03/2009]

Associated publications
Listed as number 1879 under the category 'Type Derryniggin' on page 61 of The Axes of the Early Bronze Age in Ireland (Prähistorische Bronzefunde, IX, 1), by Peter Harbison (Munich: C. H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1969): '1879. "Co. Cork". Pitt-Rivers Mus., Oxford (P.R. 1444). Unpublished (Pl. 75,4).' See also line-drawing in Plate 75.4 (unpaginated). [MN 29/01/2009; JC 26 3 2009] Published under catalogue number 36 on pages 96 - 97 of Allen, I.M., Britton, D., and Coghlan, H.H., 1970, 'Metallurgical Reports on British and Irish Bronze Age Implements in the Pitt Rivers Museum', Occasional Papers on Technology 10, Oxford University Press, Oxford: 'Small Axes or Chisels; Description Small axe or chisel with slight flanges. Butt thin, oblique in outline. Cutting-edge has wide bevel; sharpened, with barbs at extremities (one broken off). Slight ridges across each face near centre, curved parallel to cutting-edge. Blade slightly flanged. Sides convex in cross-section. Surfaces rather rough with corrosion. [Drawing] Analysis Chemical: Sn 15.0% Spectrographic: Pb <0.02%, As 0.22%, Sb 0.12%, Ni 0.055%, Bi <0.004%, Fe 0.0072%, Ag 0.13%, Mg <0.005%. [confirmed as a bronze] Metallographic Examination Examination showed recrystallized twinned grains superimposed on a cored structure. Strain markings were present. The hardness had been increased to 88 HB.'. [GB 20/5/2005, MN 29/01/2009, CMP 09/08/2010]

Search terms: Tool, Weapon, Axe, Chisel

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